Plus, you only have to do the prep once, but chasing dust around for days gets old fast.
Couldn’t agree more. I used to skip the full barrier setup, thinking it was overkill, but after finding white dust in my coffee mug two rooms away... yeah, never again. It’s a pain, but worth it.
Couldn’t agree more.
I get the concern about dust, but I’ve honestly found that a full barrier setup isn’t always necessary if you’re careful and methodical. “Chasing dust around for days gets old fast,” sure, but with a good HEPA vac and damp wipes after each step, I’ve kept things under control—at least in my 1950s place. Sometimes the prep can take longer than the actual job, especially if you’re only swapping one or two windows. Just my experience, though... different layouts might make it trickier.
Sometimes the prep can take longer than the actual job, especially if you’re only swapping one or two windows. Just my experience, though... different layouts might make it trickier.
That’s pretty much been my reality too. I spent more time taping off floors and hauling out furniture than actually removing the old sashes. I get what you mean about not always needing a full barrier—when I replaced two windows in my 1948 place, I used plastic sheeting just around the immediate area, HEPA vac after each round, and wiped all surfaces down with damp rags. No visible dust left behind, but I still worried about the stuff you can’t see.
One thing I’ve wondered about: has anyone done lead dust testing after a job like this? I haven’t, but sometimes I think maybe I should’ve just for peace of mind. Also, for anyone with kids or pets, do you go more heavy-duty on containment, or just stick with the basics?
I’ve never actually done the lead dust testing after a window swap, though I’ve thought about it—especially when my kids were younger. Honestly, if you’re using plastic sheeting, HEPA vacs, and wet wiping everything, you’re already doing more than most contractors I’ve seen. When we did our living room windows (house built in ‘51), I went pretty heavy on the containment since my dog is basically a vacuum cleaner for anything on the floor. Taped off the whole area and set up a box fan in the window blowing out, just to be extra cautious.
I get the worry about invisible dust, but from what I’ve read, lead dust testing kits aren’t always super reliable unless you follow the instructions to the letter. If you want peace of mind, you could always call in a pro for a one-time check, but honestly, with your cleanup routine it’s probably overkill. For me, unless I’m doing a big renovation or there’s obvious paint chipping everywhere, I just stick with the basics and keep everyone out of the work zone until it’s cleaned up.
When we did our living room windows (house built in ‘51), I went pretty heavy on the containment since my dog is basically a vacuum cleaner for anything on the floor.
- Gotta disagree a bit with “your cleanup routine it’s probably overkill.” Lead dust is sneaky—especially with kids or pets.
- Even if you’re careful, fine dust can settle in places you miss.
- Quick swab tests aren’t perfect, but they’re cheap and can give you a baseline.
- I’ve seen “clean” sites still test high after a swap.
- If you’re swapping more than one or two windows, I’d do a test just to be sure.
- Peace of mind’s worth a few bucks and 10 minutes.