What is Lead Paint and Why is it Dangerous?
For many years, lead was the main component of paint, prized for its strength and vivid hues. However, because lead paint was associated with serious health risks, its use in residential settings was outlawed in the late 1970s. Long-term exposure to even trace levels of lead can result in a large range of issues, such as:
Developmental delays in kids, learning challenges, brain and renal injury, behavioral and reproductive problems, convulsions, coma and in severe circumstances, even death.
Also Read: Why Does Your Property Need a Lead Inspection?
Five Clear Signs That Your House Needs Inspection Right Away
Sign #1: Your House Was Made Before 1978
The age of your house is one of the best signs that lead paint may be present. Lead-based paint is probably a good choice for homes built before 1978. Because of its strength and ability to hold color, lead was frequently used as a component in paints before it was outlawed for home use in 1978.
If your house was built during this period, you should schedule a lead paint inspection as soon as possible and presume that lead paint may be present. Lead paint may still be concealed beneath more recent coatings, so don’t be duped if your house has been refurbished with contemporary furnishings.
Sign #2: Paint peeling and “Alligatoring”
Look closely at the painted surfaces of your house. Have you noticed any paint that is flaking, peeling, or cracking? Does the pattern of chipped paint seem like alligator scales? This degradation, called “Alligatoring,” is a glaring example of old paint and can also be a clue that the paint beneath is lead-based.
Remember that lead paint is dangerous even before it begins to deteriorate. Even though it appears undamaged, regular activities or renovations may cause it to produce harmful dust.
Sign #3. Disclosure of Lead Paint Presence
If the seller of the house you’re buying provides you with any lead paint disclosure statements, carefully read them. Under federal law, sellers must reveal any information they are aware of any potential hazards posed by lead-based paint on the property.
This entails giving buyers a leaflet about the dangers of lead-based paint as well as a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form. It’s crucial to take these disclosures seriously and to think about setting up a lead paint inspection to determine the scope of the risk and make sure the right corrective action is taken.
Sign #4. Planning a Renovation
Planning a remodeling or renovation work for an older house? An older property needs to have a lead inspection done before any improvements are started! When lead dust is disturbed by sanding, scraping, or demolition, it can be released into the air and cause hazardous exposure levels.
Before you renovate a pre-1978 home and alter any painted surfaces, make sure your family is safe by having a lead check done. To reduce the risk of exposure, it is essential to have a professional lead paint inspection.
Sign #5. The Presence of Little Children or Expectant Mothers
Lead paint becomes an even more serious problem if you live in a home with little children or expectant mothers. Children are more susceptible than adults to the negative consequences of lead exposure because of how easily lead is absorbed in their developing bodies.
A child’s general health and cognitive development may suffer from even low amounts of lead exposure. Lead exposure during pregnancy may harm both the health of the expectant mother and the unborn child.
Rush To Have A Lead Test Done At Your Home
Do not take a chance if you see any of the aforementioned symptoms. A trained professional must test your home to determine whether lead paint is present. There is no other reliable way to find out. There are two ways to request an inspection for lead paint:
- Engage a Certified Lead Inspector: These experts possess specialized training and equipment to precisely detect the existence of lead paint.
- Make Use of a Do-It-Yourself Lead Test Kit: These kits can serve as a starting point and are offered by numerous home improvement stores. But keep in mind that they are not as trustworthy as professional testing.
Worried About Lead Paint Risks in Your Home?
It’s critical to safeguard the health of your family. Please do not hesitate to seek professional assistance if there is even the slightest chance that your home has lead paint. It is priceless to have the assurance that your house is lead-free. Recall that the best defense against lead paint is prevention.
To determine whether lead is present in your surroundings, our professional lead paint inspector at Manhattan Lead will use advanced methods and tools. Get in contact with us if you notice any of the lead paint warning signals listed above.
