How Do You Know If Your North Carolina Home Has Lead Paint?
Many homes in North Carolina, including historic houses in Wilmington, reflect architectural beauty and painting expertise. Unfortunately, peeling back the layers of paint may reveal a serious health hazard, especially if the house was built before 1978.
Lead paint still exists in older homes because it was used extensively before being banned in 1978. If professionals do not remove this paint before repainting a house, it can result in health issues.
Why Lead Is Hazardous
The problem with lead is that it is a neurotoxin. When people are exposed to it, even in low quantities, lead can cause cognitive delays and behavioral problems in children. Lead is also known to contribute to high blood pressure and kidney damage in children and adults alike.
Even worse, there is no known safe blood lead level. So, it is extremely important to determine whether lead paint is present in your home. If it is, hire a professional who uses lead encapsulation methods to make your home safe.
Here's how to determine if your North Carolina home has lead paint.
1. Age Matters
As mentioned, homes built before 1978 that have never been renovated may contain lead-based paint. In fact, in the U.S., 87% of pre-1940 homes and 24% of homes built between 1960 and 1978 may have detectable lead paint layers. Wilmington alone has hundreds of historic houses and buildings, some dating back to the 1800s.
2. Visual Signs of Lead Paint
Lead paint typically doesn’t cause problems when it remains intact. But if it starts deteriorating or if someone without lead paint expertise scrapes it off, it can quickly become dangerous.
If you are unsure whether your home has lead paint, look for signs such as cracks, bubbling, or flaking. Another sign is chalky residue on your fingers if you touch a painted surface. You may also notice fine dust around windows, staircases, and doors.
If you live in an old house, it is better to search for lead-certified painters near you and find a contractor to assist you.
3. Confirming Lead in Paint
You may find information on Google leading you to pages selling DIY test kits for lead paint. Note, however, that these kits rarely function properly, and the results are often unreliable. Only EPA-recognized kits are valid, and even so, they should be used by a certified painter or renovator.
Instead of DIY options, hire a lead-certified contractor or inspector who can accurately detect lead in paint using XRF scanning.
North Carolina Requirements for Lead Paint
No matter whether you live in Raleigh, Wilmington, or somewhere else in NC, the paint in your home could be considered lead-based if the house is older than 1978. Therefore, according to NC requirements, any renovation that disturbs the old paint must be done by professionals.
When searching for lead-certified contractors near you, be sure to hire a contractor approved under the LHMP-RRP (Lead Hazard Management Program – Renovation, Repair, and Painting).
How the Experts Handle Lead Paint
An expert contractor will go beyond temporary measures, such as fixing peeling paint, to provide comprehensive solutions. Instead, they will use lead remediation strategies, such as applying lead-encapsulating paint to seal the existing paint layers.
Lead encapsulation methods are approved by NC law, provided they are carried out by a professional contractor.
Why You Should Always Choose Professional Contractors
Removing lead paint always carries a risk. Without containment, HEPA vacuums, and the right protective gear, lead paint removal can result in even worse contamination inside a house. Only trained professionals can guarantee a safe and compliant job.
Ensure a Lead-Free Home With Anderson Painting
At Anderson Painting, we understand the dangers of deteriorating lead paint for families in Wilmington, Raleigh, and throughout North Carolina. We offer expert lead remediation to give you peace of mind. Let us help you encapsulate lead paint on exterior or interior surfaces to remove lead hazards.
Contact Anderson Painting today for a free estimate, and let us help you protect your home and your loved ones.
