Lead Paint Screening
We perform a Lead Screening using the swab test method. This is typically done at the time of a Home Inspection and may be required by some lending institutions.
Lead-Based Paint Testing in Knoxville, TN
If your home was built before 1978, chances are it has lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint. While some states banned it earlier, some paint containing lead was around after 1978. Lead from paint is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.
Since you cannot determine the presence of lead by simply looking at it, you should be on the lookout for signs. Ever notice paint being scaly and cracked and looking like alligator skin? That’s a sign. It’s called alligatoring wherein the paint deteriorates, creating a scaly pattern. Finding these cracks is a good indication of lead. However, homeowners don’t see these patterns on walls, they’re mostly seen on the baseboards, window sashes, and door and window frames.
Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp), however, is a hazard and needs immediate attention. Dust and flakes can accumulate in the following areas:
- Window sills
- Countertops
- Floors
- Children’s toys
- Clothes
- Beddings
- Doors and door frames; and
- Stairs, railings, fences, and porches
Health problems include anemia, seizures, and, worse, death, especially to children and highly sensitive individuals. The last thing you would want inside your home is this sneaky health perpetrator.
Keep all paint in excellent shape and frequently clean up the dust. Lead-contaminated dust results from indoor sources such as deteriorating lead-based paint.
Schedule your Knoxville, TN Lead-based Paint Testing today!
We scrape a sample of paint from an inconspicuous area, such as inside a closet. Samples extracted from your home will then be tested on-site, collected, and sent to the laboratory. The report that follows the inspection will point out any areas affected by lead. Results are provided within two to three days.
So, if your house was built before 1980, chances are it has lead-based paint. Contact us today so our team of professionals can provide you with an informed inspection.
If you plan to buy an older house, please know what you’re buying, and if it’s more than what you are willing to undertake, walking away from it might be a good idea. The existence of lead paint can make that dream house of yours go from hero to zero really quick. That is why a home inspection is both crucial and essential in the real estate transaction. In the end, it will always be your final decision whether to continue with the purchase or not. You need to know everything there is about the home so you can make your most informed buying decision.
