Cracked and peeling paint that contains lead could result in contaminated surfaces that pose the risk of lead poisoning. If you will be renting out a residential property in the future and are concerned that lead may be present within the residence, seek a lead inspection.

The Purpose Behind Testing For Lead

Lead is a pollutant that is regulated by laws that are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many older homes contain lead-based paints. If the residence that you will be renting out has not been renovated or if the amount of renovations that have been conducted are minimal, there is a high probability that lead paint is within the premises.

Testing for lead will protect your rights as a landlord. People who will be inhabiting a property that contains lead paint could get lead poisoning. This could result in costly lawsuits. The inspection process consists of registering for a test through your local EPA or health department. Upon completion of a test, you will be given a certificate that deems the residence lead-free or will be provided with lead remediation and abatement recommendations.

The Inspection And Testing Processes

During a lead inspection, the physical structure that you will be renting out will be inspected. A sample will be collected from window wells, walls, ceilings, or any other painted surface. A soft cloth is used to wipe down painted surfaces. Each cloth is placed in a sterile container. Samples must be sent to a lab, to acquire accurate test results.

Upon the completion of a test, a property owner will be provided with the results. If there are no signs of lead within the residence, a certificate will be granted that states that the premises are lead-free. If lead is found within the residence, remediation or abatement steps may be necessary. In a residence where no chipping is present and the walls and other painted surfaces are maintained, it may not be necessary to remove all of the paint. Routine inspections and regular cleaning should be conducted.

If a lead problem is severe and chipped surfaces have contributed to an accumulation of dust, you will need to hire an abatement specialist. Painted surfaces will be stripped down and measures will be taken to collect dust. This type of process can be time-consuming and will require unleaded paint to be applied to walls that were previously covered with leaded paint.