Homes With Lead-Based Paint

Lead paint is not an issue in newer homes. However, if your house was built before 1970, the chances are pretty good that the paint contains lead. Now, don’t freak out and think all is doomed. Or that, you need to fork over $10,000 dollars for a HAZMAT crew.

First of all, my house was built in 1954 and is in desperate need of painting. I asked two professional painters to take a look at my house and let me know how much it would cost to paint the house. The first one told me my house needed to be tested for lead in the paint. He had a company he used, and the cost was around $175. The next painter was even worse. He scared me to death with easily a $10,000 clean-up bill before my house will ever see new paint. After the last painter left, my husband and I looked at each other and started arguing about money problems. Whose fault it is that we’re not millionaires. We were acting crazy and I realized the painter's attitude is what upset my husband and me. I decided to look at the situation myself, which saved us thousands of dollars.

So, I took a deep breath and thought to myself determinedly, “I am going to research this issue with the lead paint. There has to be an alternative.”

First, we needed to find out if your home actually does have lead in its paint. If I didn't have to spend a lot of money, all the better for all of us. With that, I did my research and discovered a lead testing kit at Home Depot for only $10.00. The kit is called 3M Instant Lead Check Test and comes in 2 swabs or 8 swabs packages. It is really easy to use. If you are not sure how to use it when you bring it home, Home Depot has a video on their website on how to use the kit produced by the manufacturer of this test kit.

I bought the two swabs kit for $10.00 because that is the only size Home Depot had available at the time of purchase. Besides, I figured if one or two areas are hot, I don’t have to bother testing other areas. I did the math, in the long run, I am saving money. But, if neither area comes up hot, then I will need to decide if I should test other areas.

Lo and behold the two spots I tested, which was the most obvious with chipped paint around the exterior, the test came up negative, no lead. I was so happy, but I am going to get another test kit and check two other areas around the exterior of the house. If they prove negative like the first two spots, I know we are relatively safe to prep and paint our home.

I went to our neighborhood hardware store, Hollywood Hardware, and purchased a different lead testing kit, First Alert Lead Testing Kit because the store is closer to my home I thought it would be a good idea to try a different test to make sure my house is lead-free. The kit offers 4 tests at $13.00, not bad compared to the 3M test kit.

I tested two separate areas and no lead. I really don’t feel like I need to test any other exterior areas. It is really hard for me to believe that there is no lead paint on the exterior part of my home. One of the prior owners must have had the lead paint removed.

It was a great relief for my husband and I go have no lead in hour 1954 home. I am sure, if I hadn't investigated the matter, we would have been taking to the cleaners. I still cannot believe what the one painter said and tried to scam us for thousands of dollars off us. He could have told us about the do it yourself tests. He could have helped us in a different way. But, I know he had dollar signs in his eyes and wasn't thinking about helping us.

I hope this is helpful to you, friends, family and anyone who needs to check for the lead around a house, car, or wherever. These tests are ideal and very helpful.