Testing Before Home Renovations Ensures Proper Safety Measures Are Taken

If you’re planning a home improvement project, it’s important to test for the presence of lead-based paint and asbestos in the materials that will be affected by the renovations. If testing reveals the presence of lead-based paint or asbestos in areas that will be disturbed, you can ensure that the contractors performing the renovations take the necessary safety precautions to greatly reduce the potential for harmful contamination or exposure.

If testing isn’t performed and precautionary measures aren’t taken, the health and safety of everyone in your home is at risk if asbestos- or lead-containing materials are disturbed during renovations. The dangers from exposure to lead-based paint and asbestos are well-documented. Lead-based paint is a common cause of lead poisoning in children. Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and can cause serious and potentially fatal lung disease.

Affected Areas are Tested for the Presence Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos

Our client, Liz, wanted to be sure she and everyone in her home were safe as she prepared for a home renovation project. It was particularly important to test Liz’s home for asbestos because her home was built in 1947. Asbestos was commonly used in many building materials decades ago before its dangers were fully understood by the public. Asbestos can still be found in homes and buildings today.

Healthy Home technicians tested for the presence of asbestos and lead-based paint in the areas of Liz’s home that would be affected by the upcoming renovations, including the kitchen, laundry room, rear bedroom and the exteriors of each.

Lead-Based Paint is Detected in Liz’s Home

Thankfully, results indicated that none of the materials we tested from these areas contained asbestos. However, results did indicate the presence of lead-based paint on the laundry room’s door and door jamb, an area that would be directly affected by the remodeling project Liz was planning.

Lead-based paint can be particularly dangerous when it is disturbed. Scraping or sanding lead-based paint during a home renovation project can create lead dust that travels through the air and contaminates nearby soil on exteriors and surfaces on interiors. Lead dust and lead-contaminated soil can easily be ingested by pets, children and anyone nearby and cause serious health issues.

Testing Ensures Safety

Because Liz brought our experts in to perform testing, she was able to ensure contractors took the precautionary measures necessary to avoid any harm that could potentially be caused by disturbing the lead-based paint in her home during renovations.

If you are planning home renovations, contact the professionals at Healthy Home to discuss the best testing strategies to ensure you and your family stays healthy.

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Dan Rouse

Principal at Healthy Home

Dan is a Principal at Healthy Home and is a Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant and a Certified Mold Consultant.

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