What this covers
Any painting that disturbs old paint in a home built before 1978 can release lead dust. Lead-safe painting tests the paint, contains the area with plastic and signage, uses wet scraping and HEPA-shrouded sanding instead of dry methods, cleans with HEPA vacuums and wet wiping, verifies the cleanup, and then paints. The crew holds the federal lead-safe certification the work requires.
When to call
- A home built before 1978 with paint that needs scraping or sanding before painting.
- Windows, doors and porches with layers of old, peeling paint.
- Children or a pregnant person living in the home.
What to expect
- TestPaint is tested where it will be disturbed. If lead is present, lead-safe methods are used.
- ContainPlastic sheeting, sealed areas and warning signs keep dust in the work zone.
- Prepare safelyWet scraping, HEPA-shrouded sanding, no open flame, no dry sanding, no pressure washing of lead paint.
- Clean, verify, paintHEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning, a cleaning verification, then priming and painting.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Why not just scrape it like any other paint?
Dry scraping and sanding make lead dust that settles in soil and in the home and is hazardous, especially to children. The lead-safe rules exist to prevent that.
Is every pre-1978 home a lead home?
Not every one, which is why testing comes first. Where lead is found, the methods change; where it is not, ordinary painting proceeds.
What about the garden beds under the windows?
They are covered during the work. Old paint chips in soil are a known source of exposure, so the crew keeps chips off the ground.
Related: Exterior painting · Lead paint abatement · Interior painting · All painting and wall finishes
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.