Why You Should Have Your Home Tested For Lead And What You Can Do About The Problem

Lead is a toxic chemical that was used in home construction prior to 1978. Many homes were painted with lead-based paint, and when lead was discovered to be very dangerous to a person's health, the continued use of lead in this fashion was banned from homes. Lead can cause serious illnesses, including memory loss, abdominal pain, and even hearing loss when a person, especially a child, is exposed to it for continued periods of time. If you are concerned about lead in your home, know why you should have your home inspected for lead and what you can do about the results if your home tests positive.

You have an older home

Ideally, your seller would have advised you that your home may contain lead-based paint when you purchased it. This doesn't always happen because many real estate companies don't test homes for lead prior to selling them. If your home is older than 1978, it's a good idea to have a lead inspection done on your home. This is especially important if you have young children or elderly people in your home, as they are the most susceptible to this kind of poisoning.

You should especially have your home tested for lead if it has no history of being renovated in the past. Even a small renovation, such as upgrading plumbing, can be a sign that previous homeowners may have had the home tested for lead in the past. To be on the safe side, do your own lead inspection to ensure your home is safe.

To learn more, contact a lead inspection company like Kirby Environmental. 

What to do if you do find lead

If you do find out that your home has lead-based paint in it, there are some things you can do prior to renovations to keep your family safe. For starters, wipe away all paint that is chipping off your walls to prevent your children or pets from playing with it or putting it in their mouths. Wash your painted walls often to prevent the leeching of lead onto hands, and remove soil around the exterior of your home that may contain levels of lead from your home's outdoor paint. Your lead inspection specialist will guide you on how to remove any lead-based paint in your home and make your living space much safer.

If you live in an older home and are worried about lead, then you should have a lead inspection done. A lead inspection is the first step to making your home much safer so you and your family can live comfortably.

Share