Guest Author - Kathy Clark

A while back we were bombarded with information about the dangers of lead paint. The awareness program has faded but the danger remains. Any home built before the 1980’s should be considered for testing, and if found to contain lead paint, it’s up to the buyer to decide what action they should take.

Your realtor and home inspector will advise you of the possibility and be able to suggest a testing facility. There are some do-it-yourself tests you can purchase, but they aren’t 100% accurate. It’s best to call in a professional if lead paint is an issue and you want to obtain correct results.

Generally, the buyer will pay for the inspection and if the results are positive, then both buyer and seller can negotiate the removal. Unfortunately for the seller, once this information is acquired, it must be provided to all potential buyers.

Since the enactment of the lead disclosure law, there have been many opinions and arguments concerning the danger. For some buyers, the idea of living in a home with the potential for harm is more than they want to risk. While other buyers, for personal reasons, aren’t affected by the idea.

In the case of remodeling, if you already live in an older home, it would be wise to test the paint before beginning any renovation yourself and follow the appropriate guidelines for safely working with lead paint. There are alternatives to complete removal in which the leaded surfaces are encapsulated. However, that only conceals the surface, it doesn’t remove it from the building.

There is no question lead paint poses a threat, the issue remains a personal choice on whether or not an individual decides it’s an important issue. Children and pregnant women are at greatest risk of being affected by the dust or paint chips.