If your home was built before 1978
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Sanding, scraping, cutting, or otherwise disturbing painted surfaces can create lead-contaminated dust, so the age and condition of the home are reviewed before work begins.
Lead paint is a health risk when dust or chips are swallowed or inhaled. Children and pregnant people are especially important to protect, along with pets, occupants, and the workers on site.
Older layers may remain under newer paint on trim, windows, doors, baseboards, plaster walls, siding, and railings. Intact paint and deteriorating paint call for different plans.
Lead-Safe work practices
As an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm, A.G. Williams follows the applicable EPA renovation, repair, and painting requirements for covered work. We provide required pre-renovation information and plan the work around the property, the occupants, and the scope.
Certification does not replace a lead inspection or risk assessment. If you need to know whether lead is present, a qualified professional can assess the property and explain the appropriate next step.
What to look for
Chipping, flaking, peeling, or deeply cracked paint can identify areas that deserve attention, especially on windows, doors, and other frequently used surfaces. Appearance alone cannot confirm whether paint contains lead.
Testing is the way to answer that question. Consumer test kits exist, but a certified inspector or risk assessor can provide a more complete professional evaluation and documentation.
Plan before disturbing the surface
Window replacement, plaster or drywall repair, trim removal, cabinet installation, wallpaper removal, and larger remodeling work can disturb painted surfaces even when painting is not the main project.
Reviewing the work before demolition or aggressive preparation begins makes it possible to choose the right containment, preparation, cleanup, and assessment plan.