What is Lead-Based Paint?
→ If you own a home built before 1978 and are planning renovations.
→ If you live in a home built before 1978, and are concerned you or your family may be exposed to lead dust.
→ If you’re planning on renting out your Maryland home that was built before 1978; Click Here for further requirements.
→ We follow HUD Chapter 7 Guidelines, in accordance with Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 745.
→ Buyers should consult with their Realtor® regarding their contract terms.
→ When hiring any company to assist with your renovation project, make sure they are Lead-Safe Certified Contractors and comply with the renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) program.
More on the XRF Device
This portable device is held against the surface we are testing and can scan through roughly 60 layers of paint—without the destructive need to cut a paint chip sample to send to a lab. The device will provide a positive result for Lead-Paint if it reads >0.7µg/cm² (micrograms per centimeter squared; the unit of measurement for determining how much lead is in paint), or Negative for anything less.
Your results will be compiled into a report, and any areas identified as containing lead will be specified by Room, Type, and Material—for example, your report may say: POS, 0.9µg/cm², Bedroom: Wall A, Baseboard, Wood.
More on Lead Dust Wipes
Dust wipe testing certainly has its place in the world of lead paint inspections, but it’s not going to be your best option when trying to figure out if lead paint exists in your home. As lead paint deteriorates it can begin to flake, chip, or peel—and constant friction from doors and windows rubbing can create an extremely fine dust. This dust is very heavy and doesn’t linger in the air long—so, why is it a concern then? Children that crawl on the floor could put their hands in the dust, and then do what all children do… put their hands in their mouth; it’s the ingestion of lead paint that is the most harmful.
