Do I have Lead Paint in My Home? What to do

Was your New Haven house or apartment built before 1978? If it was, there might be lead-based paint on the inside and out. That could pose a serious risk of lead poisoning, especially if you’re pregnant or have small children. Should you be concerned about lead paint in your home? Here are some quick tips that can help you decide whether you need to test your home for lead — with suggestions on what to do if you find it.

What’s the Problem With Lead-Based Paint?

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems if it’s ingested or if dust containing lead is inhaled. Up until 1978, when federal regulations restricted the use of lead in household paint, lead was a common component in exterior and interior paints.

The Risk for the Health 

Lead poisoning can have many harmful effects on your health, especially your brain, your nervous system, your blood system, and your kidneys. The risks are higher for children, as their bodies continue to grow and absorb lead more easily. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can have adverse effects on the child’s development. Pregnant women should also be vigilant because lead can cross the placenta. Exposure to high concentrations may cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma, or even death. But severe cases of lead poisoning are rare in New Haven and other surrounding areas. Lead exposure can be by sucking, chewing, or swallowing products that contain lead or breathing lead. Lead can remain in the body for more than 25 years after exposure.

How To Tell if There Is a Problem 

If you think the paint in your home contains lead, have an analysis done. A certified inspector can measure the level of lead in the paint in your home; you can also send paint chips to an analytical laboratory.

What Can You Do if You Have Lead-based Paint?

If tests confirm the presence of lead paint, you will need to take immediate measures to manage and reduce your family’s risk of exposure:

• Clean up chips immediately, especially in areas where your children play.
• Be vigilant about hand washing, especially before eating and sleeping.
• Clean window sills regularly to remove dust. Use warm water and a mop, sponge, or paper towel, and clean thoroughly or dispose of cleaning tools after each use.
• Remove your shoes before entering the home to prevent tracking the substance from soil contaminated by exterior paint.
• Repaint damaged surfaces.
• Clean with wet mops and rags regularly
• Clean air ducts regularly

None of these steps will provide a permanent solution. Once you have completed these temporary measures, you must determine what, if any, long-term solution you will pursue to mitigate the hazard. If the paint in your home shows no damage, and no children live there or visit regularly, you may choose to leave it untouched and keep an eye out for damage in the future.

Hire a Professional for Lead Paint Removal

It’s imperative to hire a company that is licensed to work with lead. There are laws in place to regulate who can inspect or remove lead paint. The EPA passed laws in 2010 requiring service providers who disturb lead paint in homes built before 1978 to get certified in lead safety. Contractors must complete a training course, certified by the EPA, to become a Certified Renovator (RRP Rule). So when hiring someone to remove lead paint, check that they’re certified by the EPA or an EPA-authorized state. NHV Painters LLC is a locally owned and operated full-service home improvement company that specializes in quality interior and exterior painting. We’re EPA Lead Certified professionals, and our entire team is also lead certified. We offer affordable and reliable lead remediation and residential painting services in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas. Book a FREE estimate below to get started, or call us (203) 606-2346 for more information.

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