Standards and Guidelines 2023-0607

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 93 For More Information: Paint Removing Paint from Masonry When considering whether to remove paint from a masonry surface, it is important to determine whether removal is appropriate . In some instances, the building might have been meant to be painted or paint was used to hide deterioration, later changes, or additions . It might be appropriate to consider stripping paint if the existing paint has failed; the paint was applied to cover other problems such as a dirty building, or to reduce the long-term maintenance requirements associated with repainting. Caution should be used since some older paints include lead, requiring proper collection and disposal techniques . Signs of failed paint include paint that is badly chalking, flaking or peeling, possibly due to moisture penetration. Prior to repainting, it is recommended that the cause of the moisture infiltration be repaired to minimize the potential for future peeling. It is also prudent to review whether the masonry has been “sealed” by excessive layers of paint or by waterproof coatings . The underlying masonry might not be able to “breath” and dispel the internal moisture and salts . Eventually, pressure from moisture and salts can build up under paint layers and possibly cause the paint to peel and masonry to spall . If paint is stable, complete paint stripping might not be necessary . However, new paint should be compatible with previous paint layers and the surface for best adhesion . Paint Preparation and Removal Safety Lead may be a component in historic paint, making paint preparation and removal potentially hazardous work . Keep children and pets clear of work area . A property owner should consult a professional for work that is unfamiliar or potentially unsafe . • Follow all manufacturers’ recommendations during the paint removal process . • Comply with City and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for paint preparation, removal, and work at a location where lead-based paint may be disturbed. • Use caution around paint dust from an old building as it may contain lead—Wear a respirator and safety goggles, avoid open food or beverage containers in area of paint removal, thoroughly clean exposed skin, and launder work clothes . • Avoid using heat-tools—the user should wear appropriate clothing, keep a fire extinguisher nearby and monitor area of work for at least one hour after stopping work . Return to the Table of Contents Lead Paint Historic buildings may have lead paint—refer to the section on lead paint here to understand lead safe work practices .