Should I Get My New Home Tested For Lead?
Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at
9:22 am
The home was built in 1900, but has been totally remodled - except the basement. It has new plumbing, roof, siding, wiring, bathroom, kitchen, floors, everthing. Because it’s so old, I wanted to check for lead, but it’s turning out to be a big pain in the butt. I can’t find anyone who checks for lead, and it sounds like it’s going to be very expensive when I do. If there’s no flakey paint or dusty atmospheres, and my kids won’t be in the basement, do I really need the lead test?
Tagged with: Home • Lead • Should • Tested
Filed under: Articles-Home Repair
I would say no but I am sure there are some that are going to say yes. I think you know that too. If the place has been remodeled like you are saying then I wouldn’t worry about it.
I would though keep an eye on the basement. Just because you say the kids won’t be in the basement doesn’t mean you should just ignore it. Keep an eye out for moister which will or could lead to black mold or any other kind of mold which will cause illness.
Many homes built before the 90s there water line if copper were soldered with what is called 50/50 solder. 50% lead. Since then you can use solder that has absolutly no lead in it at all.
I’m not sure what group freaked out about the lead thing to begin with. I think it all came about whith some kids eating lead based paint chips and getting some sort of lead poisining.
Way back when cities started supplying the residents with water, the water lines from the street main to the house where made of lead. There are an awful lot of old people around and it never effected tham. They probably didn’t eat paint chips though.
You will probably get more lead in your system in eating fish than your home will ever put in you.
From what I have read on the lead hazards it was mostly from children eating the paint flakes when the old paint would flake off the walls and trim. I have seen lead test kits available from hardware stores, I think that most of them require that the samples you take be sent in to a lab. This would be a less expensive way of testing and would alert you if you have problems.
If your paint is not flakeing you most likely will not find any lead.
Yes…especially if you have kids….it’s pretty expensive….but well worth it….u can look it up in the yellow pages….look for the best price
couldn’t hurt.
yes you do and you should have had it dun before you moved in. you can ask your local health dep. to give you a name of a com, that do`s the test they will know a good co.
Don’t waste your time or money. If it has been totally redone and all the paint is new (last 20 years) and nothing is pealing, there is no way for you to get the lead out of the environment if it is there.. and it sounds like a low probability. Depending upon where you live some of the DIY stores have lead test kits that you can put in a sample and send it off to a lab to get tested..
If you have a baby or kids or are planning on a family it’s probably a good idea. Lead is most toxic to youngsters.