I am just so angry right now :( :(

[whitneywalters]

Originally Posted by doulamomma Did you sign lead paint disclosures? If the sellers knew of lead paint and didn't disclose it they could be held liable. Sent from my SCH-I800 using DS Forum

This is my child hood home, my parents had no clue about the lead and regret selling it to us and want to help but they do not have the money either.

[whitneywalters]

Originally Posted by igotmywings I would call your county health office. I know ours has a program where if the children are under 5 living in the house they will provide you with some help to get it fixed plus the paint

I already did

[whitneywalters]

Originally Posted by pcjs When we did a lot of research on this, for the inside, if anything, just paint over any exposed areas - its better than nothing. We ended up being really dumb and heat gunning the trim (just one room) before thinking to test. We ended up removing the trim when we redid the windows for fear of lead. If you paint and sand, plastic up all areas, including the floor, ceiling, and walls and use a hepa filter and wash down afterward. For the windows, HD has the American Craftsman and depending on size, they are inexpensive. They are cheap vinyl but we used a few where I didn't want to spend the money and they are very nice. Its pretty easy to DIY windows (the first is scary, but after that you get the hang of it). Could you do a window a month or every few months to start? Also try places like Habitat for Humanity restore and beg them for a "deal" given your situation. Look for programs like "Christmas in April" and Christmas in Action" or "rebuild together" that help families fix their homes. There are also some tax credits (but you have to pay upfront and it doesn't cover everything) for doors, windows and siding. No good advice as we had to save up for quite a few years and our siding for our house was crazy $$$ but we did a full tear off because of the asbestos siding. You probably do a nice vinyl to cover everything up but it would still cost a decent amount even if you DIY (how our house was we were not comfortable doing the outside). Some counties also have rehab. programs or loans so look into that.

Thank you for the information, I am looking into it!

[mrspnut82]

If you can get some sort of heating assistance/energy saver program they might be able to help replace windows and stuff.

For now if you really can't afford to do it right you can do a few things to help keep it a little safer.
Paint over anything you think may have lead paint, even windows...WITHOUT scraping (scraping would just bring all the lead dust into your home).
Keep windows shut.
Keep them out of the dirt around your home.

[Sweet_Fantasy_Fox]

I hope you can find the programs needed to help fund your house mama. I have no experience with this stuff, we live in an apt still but I hope the links others provided help to get you in the right direction.

[court3189]

Do they think the exposure is coming from the air or injestion? Has the health department given you any recommendations that don't involve remodeling (such as repainting)?

[2+2macht4]

would keep looking programs do exst my cousin s a contractor and does the government supported lead repairs for low ncome familes in Oregon.

[wordmama]

I'd check out the HGTV website and see if they're casting for renovations in your area. Who knows, maybe Ty Pennington is looking for an Extreme Home Makeover in your state and you can have a whole new house for free!!

Sent from my iPhone using DS Forum

[Mac & Cheeses mom]

I think Extreme Makeover Home is over, but there are other shows that will help. I think that Burkis (sp) guy does it too. Also hit up any of the major daytime shows like Rachel and stuff they can write off this stuff or will know how to get you help.

[pcjs]

Originally Posted by court3189 Do they think the exposure is coming from the air or injestion? Has the health department given you any recommendations that don't involve remodeling (such as repainting)?

Either way, especially on the inside it needs to be taken care of. Its best to remove/get rid of but painting is ok. The problem with painting is things get chipped and some kids chew on wood. Or, when it flakes off it gets on things like tethers and other stuff that goes in the mouth. (I completely freaked out about this with our house - we were told by a neighbor that there was no way the family in here would have used lead paint but we think it came from the builders for the molding).

The other option but it will not be pretty, is I'd start with removing the trim and just get it out of the house and paint the walls and doors. Then you can slowly replace the windows and trim when you can afford it. We lived several years without trim till my husband got time to finish it (a few places still don't have it). Also, if your cabinets are painted, paint those too.

HD and Lowes have little swipe thingie kits you can get to test everything. That is what I did.

Windows, doors and painting on the inside if someone is handy are not "hard" but they have a learning curve. I'd start with your daughters room and replace her windows, door if that is an issue, and trim and paint. The Behr paint with primer is decent. A bit smelly at first but only slightly more than the low voc which don't often paint as well.

Also try free cycle and the wanted section of Craig's list to see if anyone can donate/sell any cheaply.