Certifications
EPA / RRP
"The United States EPA's 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities. These activities can create hazardous lead dust when surfaces with lead paint, even from many decades ago, are disturbed. The rule requires workers to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices, and requires renovation, repair, and painting firms to be EPA-certified."
Lead paints were banned in the U.S. in 1978 and began to be removed from the supply stream at that time. All older paints, especially those used in the early part of the 1900's, contain extremely high lead levels, with white paint having the very highest concentrations. If your home was built before 1978, it is generally accepted that it contains lead paint, and homes built into the early 1980's still may also potentially contain lead paint due to continued availability in the supply stream.
Sanding, scraping without heat, and any other work that creates fine dust is strictly prohibited by the EPA's RRP rule. Dust is the most common way that lead enters the body. This dust may be tracked into and around your home, and accumulate in unsafe levels. Children are the most susceptible to lead poisoning as their growing bodies absorb much more of the toxic substance. It is important for the safety of your family and the environment that you hire a lead-safe certified firm for the renovation projects in and around your older home.
Sterling Stoneworks & Restoration is an RRP certified firm. Nathan completed the RRP training in September 2014 and is our lead paint procedure specialist. We take all legally required precautions when working around lead paint, both interior and exterior, and follow the proper disposal and documentation requirements. These precautions are necessary for responsible renovation, and we believe it is important to protect our clients and their families.
JAHN RESTORATION MORTARS
Jahn Restoration Mortars are specially formulated products that allow the craftsman to rebuild deteriorated stone units and architectural accents with almost perfect color matching. The longevity of these mortars is incredible, with projects in the field lasting 25-30 years or more. These mortars have been used on the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral, the White House and the Vietnam Memorial. JAHN Restoration Mortars are available in the U.S. through a singular supplier, Cathedral Stone Products, who requires a 3-day, hands-on workshop as a prerequisite for their use.
Maria completed the workshop in Washington DC in July 2015 and is now Sterling Stoneworks' certified installer for JAHN products. She returned to Washington in August 2015 to personally work on a project with Dennis Rude, the owner of Cathedral Stone Products, at his request. We have successfully used these products to rebuild deteriorated brick faces and stone work, and are excited to be able to offer these mortars as a restoration option to our clients.
Limestone Repair Form
One of several projects from the workshop using repair mortars.
Brownstone Repair Project
A more complex repair that required precise lines and intricate detail to match the original texture.
Terra Cotta Pillar Repair
Maria using Jahn Mortars to repair the base
of Corinthian columns flanking the main entry
at a private residence in Washington DC.
PA HIC
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) requires contractors to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Pennsylvania Attorney General (the Bureau), mandates the form and content of contracts, and requires contractors hold a minimum of $50k liability insurance.
Sterling Stoneworks is a registered PA Home Improvement Contractor, PA HIC# 92441. You may verify our accreditation by contacting the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection at (888)520-6680. We are fully insured and licensed as required, carrying $1M of liability insurance.