Skip to main content

How do you know if paint chips are lead?

How do you know if paint chips are lead?

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house you just closed on is just right for your family—it is located near top schools, shopping, medical facilities, lovely parks, and entertainment. But it is an older house dating back to 1968. It appears that the original owner, who now lives in an assisted living facility, has kept it up in its original style. While it may have been all the rave back then, the colors are not in line with today’s taste palette. You want to paint the whole house with more modern colors and add your personal touch.

Lead-based paints have been banned in the United States since 1978, and since your house pre-dates 1978, the paint may very likely contain lead. Children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning and can lead the severe health defects and cognitive problems.

Lead paint home inspection

Painting the exterior and exterior of a home is a pretty big task, even for the average size home, but you also want to make sure that lead-based paint is not disturbed in the process. If you are working with a professional painting contractor, they will require a lead paint home inspection before starting to paint your house, as they need to protect their employees and your family from airborne lead.  

Lead paint inspector near me

To get your house inspected for lead, you will need to hire a licensed lead paint inspector to do the work. You can do a google search for “lead paint inspector near me” to find one. But you can also contact your local building department’s lead-based paint program for a list of certified consultants in your area. The inspector will collect paint chip samples and submit them for analysis to a led testing lab. Currently, the limit set by the EPA for lead in paint is at <90 PPM—Parts Per Million.

Lead paint test cost

The cost to conduct, inspect, and test lead-based paint is about $160 for the service call + $45 per sample, and the average is around $350.

Lead paint inspection near me

To find a reputable lead paint inspection near you, ask neighbors, contractors or search online. 5 Microns Inc. consultants are certified to conduct lead-based paint inspections and testing, and they have the required skills and necessary tools to perform the work professionally and safely. Other services include lead air testing, asbestos, mold, drinking water, radon gas, air quality, and lab testing.

You can also drop off or mail in samples to be tested for lead. Just follow the instructions below:

IMPORTANT-MUST READ FIRST: All mail-in samples must have a tracking number and include our asbestos chain of custody form to be processed. If the chain of custody form is missing, your piece(s) will not be accepted and processed. Drop-offs MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).

*PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All samples must be dropped off at the back of the office building located at 7100 Fort Dent Way Tukwila WA outside the Tabor 100 Office and placed inside our 24/7 drop-box. Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS

5 Microns Inc. is open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. For your convenience, they are also open on Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Call 425-440-8787 Now!