Lead FAQs
Why is lead in some homes?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. In general, the older a home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. The most common sources of household lead are:Can lead cause health problems?
- Paint– The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978, but homes built before this time may have used lead paint.
- Dust– Household dust can be contaminated with lead from paint, as can the soil around a house whose exterior was painted with lead paint.
- Drinking water– Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches. Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.What should I do about lead?
You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions are not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention. To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead abatement contractor. Abatement methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials.Who should do the cleanup?
Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems — someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by their state or the federal government. Contact the National Lead Information Center for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.For more information, see the EPA’s Lead Information Resources. The above information is provided as a public service by the Environmental Protection Agency for educational purposes.
Hi Bob,
Suzy and I really appreciate your hard work and professionalism. We can't thank you enough for the comprehensive and thorough nature of your inspection and subsequent report. We have been able to use the report to make some great decisions about moving forward with the purchase. We hope to use your company in the future in case, we have the need to do another inspection.
Gratefully,
Suzy & Emmanuel
Dear Bob,
I want to thank you for the superior job you did on October 1st. You went way above and beyond in your investigation. Your in-depth explanations and photos were invaluable. I look forward to seeing you on your follow-up visit.
Many thanks for a job well done. You are a gem.
Thank you.
Rosemary Dewees
Hi Bob,
Thank you for all of your help. We couldn’t have asked for a better home inspection process, your professionalism and experience definitely showed. I will recommend you to everyone needing an inspection
Best Regards,
Aaron Larrabee
Thanks for the great inspection, Bob! Really appreciated your efforts and attention to detail. The photos and color coding are great for making our checklist of monitoring and repairs in the various structures; it helped us to get an idea of the restoration process we were looking at and the likelihood of getting funds for staying ahead of the barn issues. It really gave us a better idea of what the next few years will look like! We would recommend you to anyone needing inspection services- you do a fine job!
Sue and Alex Ursprung