How to Tell If Your Home Has Lead Paint

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Hidden Lead Hazards

If your home was built before 1978, there’s a good chance it contains lead-based paint — even if you can’t see it. Lead paint was commonly used in homes for decades before it was banned due to its serious health risks, especially to children and pregnant women.

So how do you know if your home has lead paint — without ripping into drywall or scraping your baseboards?

At LEW Environmental, we specialize in non-invasive lead inspections that give you answers without damaging your home. Here’s what you need to know.

Why 1978 Is the Cutoff Year

The U.S. banned residential lead-based paint in 1978, but manufacturers and contractors continued to use it until existing supplies ran out. If your home was built before 1980, you should consider it “at risk” until properly tested — especially if:

• There are young children living in or visiting the home
• You’re planning renovations or repainting
• You’ve noticed chipping or peeling paint
• You’re a landlord trying to comply with state or city lead laws

What Are Your Testing Options?

You don’t have to guess or start scraping. Today’s lead paint testing is fast, safe, and non-destructive.

XRF Lead Testing (Our Recommendation)

An XRF analyzer (X-ray fluorescence) is a handheld tool that detects lead content in painted surfaces without removing paint or damaging the wall. It’s the EPA-approved method used by certified inspectors.

• Instant results
• Non-invasive
• Accurate down to the layer
• Ideal for rental inspections, real estate transactions, or remodeling prep

Lab-Based Paint Chip Sampling

This involves removing small paint samples and sending them to a certified lab. It’s highly accurate but slightly more invasive and slower than XRF.

Best for: Verification after demolition or when XRF isn’t feasible

Why Guessing Isn’t Enough

Lead paint may be buried under layers of newer, safer paint — but disturbing those layers through sanding, drilling, or demolition can release toxic dust.

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause:

• Developmental delays in children
• Learning disabilities and behavior problems
• Increased risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications
• High blood pressure and neurological damage in adults

There’s no safe level of lead exposure, especially for young children.

Know Before You Renovate — or Move In

Don’t wait for a problem to surface. Whether you’re planning a remodel, buying a fixer-upper, or preparing to rent out an older home, lead paint testing is one of the most important safety checks you can make.

📍 Serving NJ and NYC | 🛡️ EPA-Certified | 🧑‍🔬 XRF Testing Available

👉 Schedule a Lead Inspection with LEW Environmental today