Let’s talk about lead — one of the most dangerous hidden issues we find in older homes.
🔎 Where is lead found in older homes? 🔍
Lead-based paint can be found in homes built (or renovated) before 1978. Often overlooked are the homes built in the 1920’s through 1960s, which often used lead pipes in plumbing in addition to lead-based paint. Lead-based paint is often found on windows, doors, floors, wall trim, stairways, porches, cabinets, or even under new layers of paint.
☠️ Why is lead dangerous? ☠️
When lead paint peels, chips, or turns to dust, it poses serious health risks — particularly to children and pregnant women. Additionally, consuming water contaminated with lead from older pipes can lead to dangerous health problems. Sadly, children who live in older homes can appear healthy and still have high levels of lead in their bodies. According to the EPA, even small amounts of lead exposure can affect brain development and cause long-term issues in children, such as nervous system and kidney damage; learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence; speech, language, and behavior problems; poor muscle coordination; decreased muscle and bone growth; and hearing damage.
If children are exposed to high levels of lead, they are susceptible to seizures, unconsciousness, or even death.
🔨 I’m planning to remodel/Renovate my 1920’s-1970’s home. what precautions should I take? 🔨
First and foremost, have the home tested for lead-based paint, especially the area you plan to remodel/renovate. Second, do not use any equipment that will create lead dust or fumes, such as belt-sanders, dry sandpaper, or heat guns. Third, consider leaving the property during the remodeling/renovation process until the work is complete and the area has been properly cleaned, especially if there are young children or pregnant women in the household. At the very least, the work area should be completely sealed off during the remodeling/renovation process. Often, renovations on older homes are not done with proper precautions in place to limit the spread of lead dust, which can lead to dire consequences in the future.
💭 Final thoughts 💭
If your home was built before 1978 and hasn’t been tested for lead, it’s worth having it checked by a professional. It’s also important to have a test for lead paint or lead plumbing done if your home has recently been renovated and you fear the contractor may not have taken the appropriate cross-contamination preventative steps during the renovation. A quick test can bring peace of mind — and help you plan safe renovations or repairs.
Have questions about your home’s paint/plumbing, or wondering if a lead inspection is needed? We would be happy to help! We provide simple and advanced lead testing, as well as simple water quality tests. Schedule your lead and water quality tests today.
Bibliography
CDC. 2024. “About Lead in Paint.” Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. May 14, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/paint.html.
EPA, CPSC, and HUD. 2003. “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.” Oklahoma.gov. https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/health/health2/documents/lead-protect-your-family.pdf.
