Winter Sun Construction, LLC
828-342-0873Located in Franklin, NC

Franklin, NC — Winter Sun Construction, LLC recently received certification as a lead-safe Renovator. Effective January 1, 2010, firms performing work in homes and child-occupied facilities that were built before 1978 must be certified by the State of North Carolina. The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) specifies how work shall be performed. Certified contractors are trained to test for the presence of lead in buildings and in lead-safe work practices. Only Certified Renovators are authorized to perform work in homes and other specified facilities built prior to 1978.

Lead is a metal that was added to paints to make these coatings more durable. Lead is hazardous to people resulting in multiple symptoms that are not always obvious. Children are most at risk as even slightly elevated blood lead levels can result in nervous system and kidney damage, learning disabilities, and speech, language and behavior problems. Pregnant women are also especially at risk with problems such as miscarriages, premature birth, brain damage and low birth weight all possible. Elevated blood lead levels in adults can result in high blood pressure, fertility problems and sexual disorders, digestive problems, and nerve, memory and concentration problems and more. These symptoms are also easily misinterpreted which can delay treatment and increase the risk of permanent damage. Because of these serious consequences, lead in paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978.

Certified Renovators are trained to educate consumers. These contractors will present the homeowner with the EPA brochure, Renovate Right. Firms will ask that homeowners sign a form showing they have received this brochure. Certified Renovators will test for the presence of lead in all housing older than 1978 and issue a report within 30 days of the project’s completion. If lead paint is present, certified renovators will employ lead safe work practices to minimize contamination before, during and after the work.


The Renovation, Repair and Painting rules have been instituted to deal with the public health concern of lead in paint. Any home or child-occupied facility built before 1978 that requires work will need to hire an EPA Certified Renovator to perform this work. Only Certified Renovators are trained in lead safe work practices that minimize the impact of this common environmental health hazard.