Lead Paint Safety for Historic Home Owners

Lead Paint in Historic Homes

If your home was built before 1978, it almost certainly contains lead paint. Homes built before 1940 may have multiple layers of lead paint on every painted surface. Understanding lead paint hazards and how to manage them safely is essential for historic homeowners.

Health Risks of Lead Paint

Lead is a neurotoxin that poses the greatest risk to:

Children under 6 years old

Pregnant women

People who do renovation work without proper protection

Lead paint is most hazardous when it is deteriorating, creating dust, or being disturbed by renovation.

The EPA RRP Rule

Any renovation work on a pre-1978 home that disturbs painted surfaces must be performed by an EPA-certified Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) firm. This requirement covers:

Window replacement or repair

Exterior painting with surface preparation

Interior painting of more than 6 square feet per room

Safe Practices for Lead Paint

Before Work Begins

Test painted surfaces with lead test kits or hire a certified inspector

Notify occupants and establish work area

Seal off HVAC systems

During Work

Use plastic sheeting to contain dust

Wet methods to minimize dust generation

HEPA vacuum to clean up

Proper PPE for workers

After Work

Clean up using wet methods and HEPA vacuum

Dispose of waste as required by local regulations

Document work performed

Finding an RRP-Certified Painting Contractor

All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should be EPA RRP certified. Ask to see their certificate and verify it at the EPA's website. The DMV area has many excellent certified historic painting contractors.