Lead-Safe Window & Door Replacement for Pre-1978 Homes

Here in the Old Lead Belt, people know the word lead. For window and door work, the concern is lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint for use in homes in 1978, so if your house was built before then, the old paint on your window sills, sashes, frames and door jambs may contain lead.

Replacing windows and doors disturbs those painted surfaces. Done carelessly, that can spread lead dust through your home. Rulo Renovation & Repair is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified firm, and we follow lead-safe work practices when we replace windows and doors in older homes, from Park Hills and Farmington to Festus, Ste. Genevieve and south St. Louis County. Every install is done by our own in-house crew, never subcontracted.

Get a Free Estimate Call (682) 308-8078

EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm
Certification number: NAT-F261841-1

  • EPA Lead-Safe Certified
  • Licensed & Insured
  • 2-Year Workmanship Warranty
  • 50+ Years Combined Experience
  • Hundreds of Homeowners Served
  • Veteran Discount

What the EPA Lead-Safe Rule Requires

Covers homes built before 1978

EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978.

Certified firms, trained renovators

Contractors doing that work must be EPA-certified firms that use renovators trained in lead-safe work practices. EPA runs this program directly in Missouri.

Window replacement is always covered

Some small repairs that disturb only a little paint are exempt. EPA says window replacement is covered no matter how few square feet of paint are disturbed.

You get the facts up front

Before work starts on a pre-1978 home, the rule requires the contractor to give you EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet, which explains lead hazards and what to expect.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E). This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.

Why Lead-Safe Work Matters

EPA notes that old lead-based paint on surfaces that rub or bump, like window sills and doors, can produce chips and dust. Sanding, cutting and replacing windows can create hazardous lead dust, and EPA warns that even a small amount of lead dust can poison a child.

That's why the work practices matter as much as the new windows. Hiring a certified firm is what EPA recommends for homeowners with pre-1978 homes.

How We Replace Windows in Older Homes

  1. Free in-home estimate

    We measure every opening, note the age of your home and explain how the work will be done before anything starts.

  2. Contain the work area

    Lead-safe work practices call for setting up the work area so dust stays put: covering floors and furnishings and closing off the area around each opening.

  3. Careful removal

    Old windows and doors come out using lead-safe methods. The RRP rule prohibits risky practices such as burning off paint with an open flame.

  4. Clean up and haul away

    The work area gets a thorough cleanup before we call the job done, and we take the old windows, doors and debris with us.

Common Questions

How do I know if my home was built before 1978?

Your deed, closing paperwork or county property records usually list the year built. If you're not sure, tell us at your estimate and we'll plan the work as a pre-1978 job.

Do you test the paint first?

The RRP rule doesn't require paint testing. Unless there's documentation that the paint isn't lead-based, the rule's lead-safe requirements apply, and that's how we treat older homes.

Is this the same as lead abatement?

No. Lead-safe work practices are for renovation work like window and door replacement. Abatement, which permanently removes lead hazards, is a separate EPA program with its own certifications.

Is it just for windows?

No. The same care goes into replacing entry, storm and patio doors and repairing siding on older homes.

Do you offer a veteran discount?

Yes, always. Just let us know you're a veteran when you request your estimate.

Lead-Safe Work Across the Region

We bring the same lead-safe care to older homes in every town we serve, including:

Veterans: We always offer a veteran discount. Mention it when you request your estimate.

Planning window or door work on an older home?

Tell us about your project and pick a few times that work for you. We'll confirm your free in-home estimate.

Get a Free Estimate Call (682) 308-8078

Phone hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM. Estimate requests are welcome any time.