Pre-War Housing

Pre-war housing refers to residential buildings constructed before World War II, typically before 1939–1942 depending on the city’s building boom timeline. In New York City, “pre-war” usually means classic brick or masonry buildings built before 1940 with features like plaster walls, hardwood floors, thick moldings, and solid construction.

For home improvement contractors, “pre-war” isn’t just an architectural label—it’s a regulatory red flag. Pre-war buildings almost always contain:

• Lead-based paint (commonly used until 1978)

• Old plumbing systems (often with lead solder or galvanized pipes)

• Aging electrical systems

• Plaster and lath walls that behave differently than modern drywall

Any work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-war housing is presumed to involve lead unless a certified inspection proves otherwise. That means EPA RRP Rule compliance is mandatory for even small renovation, repair, or painting jobs in these buildings.