Our heritage home in New Westminster has multiple layers of old exterior paint that's cracking and peeling everywhere - what's involved in stripping it all off?

Stripping multiple layers of exterior paint from a heritage home in New Westminster is a significant project that requires careful handling, especially since homes built before 1978 almost certainly have lead-based paint in the older layers. In British Columbia, lead paint removal must follow WorkSafeBC regulations, which require containment measures to prevent lead dust and chips from contaminating the soil around your home. A qualified contractor will set up ground tarps and plastic sheeting, use HEPA-filtered equipment, and properly dispose of all paint waste as hazardous material. The stripping process typically involves a combination of methods. Infrared paint removers are popular for heritage homes because they soften paint for scraping without the fire risk of heat guns and without the mess of chemical strippers. Chemical strippers work well on detailed trim and mouldings that cannot be aggressively scraped. Pressure washing alone will not remove well-bonded older paint layers and can actually damage soft old-growth wood siding common on heritage homes. Once stripped to bare wood, the siding needs to be sanded smooth, any damaged boards repaired or replaced with matching profiles, and a high-quality oil-based or hybrid primer applied before finishing with acrylic latex topcoats. For a typical New Westminster heritage home, expect the full strip-and-repaint process to cost between $15,000 and $30,000 depending on the home's size and complexity of the trim details. The City of New Westminster may also have heritage conservation guidelines that dictate acceptable colours and finishes for designated heritage properties. As a next step, check whether your home is on the New Westminster heritage register and get a lead paint test done before any work begins.

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