Homes painted before the 1990s may contain lead paint, which is hazardous — especially to young children — when it's disturbed and creates dust or chips during renovation or repainting. Knowing how to handle it protects your family.
When it's a concern
Intact, well-maintained lead paint is generally low-risk. The danger comes from disturbing it — sanding, scraping, or demolition — which creates lead dust and chips that can be inhaled or ingested. Friction surfaces like windows and doors are common trouble spots.
Test before you disturb it
Before sanding or scraping old paint, test it with a lead test kit or have it assessed. If lead is present, the safe approach is to minimize dust: wet methods, careful containment, HEPA cleanup, and keeping children and pregnant women away from the work.
When to hire a pro
For significant disturbance of lead paint, hire professionals trained in lead-safe practices rather than DIY. Never dry-sand or use a heat gun that vaporizes lead paint, and clean up thoroughly with HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping.