5 Signs Your Property Might Have a Lead Hazard

Lead itself is invisible, but the conditions that create a hazard often leave clues. Here are five signs that your property deserves a professional inspection.

1. The home was built before 1978

This is the single biggest risk factor. Lead-based paint was banned for residential use that year, so any older property is a candidate.

2. Peeling, chipping, or chalking paint

Deteriorating paint is the classic source of lead dust and chips. Pay special attention to friction surfaces like windows and doors.

3. "Alligatoring" paint

Old lead paint often cracks into a scaly, alligator-skin pattern as it ages. It's a telltale sign of older paint layers underneath.

4. Recent renovation or sanding

Disturbing old paint — sanding, scraping, or demolition — can release enormous amounts of lead dust, even in a home that seemed fine before.

5. Dust buildup on window sills

Windows are friction points where lead paint grinds into dust. Persistent grime on sills and wells is worth testing.

Spotting one or more of these? Don't guess — a certified test gives you a definitive answer.