Lead Paint in Older Homes: What Pre-1978 Buyers Need to Know

Until the federal ban took effect in 1978, lead was a common ingredient in household paint — and lead solder was standard in plumbing, where it can leach into water, especially hot water. If you’re buying or living in a home built before 1978, some of its original painted surfaces very likely contain lead, layered under decades of newer paint. Soil around older homes can carry elevated lead too, from exterior paint weathering off over the years.

Lead is a cumulative toxin. In children, exposure is linked to slowed growth, learning and behavioral difficulties, and — at higher levels — lasting neurological harm. Adults aren’t immune: lead exposure is associated with high blood pressure, digestive problems, and complications in pregnancy. The most common exposure route isn’t eating paint chips; it’s lead dust — created when painted surfaces rub (windows, doors, drawers), deteriorate, or are sanded during renovation.

Federal law requires sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing to disclose known lead-based paint hazards, and buyers get a 10-day window to conduct a lead evaluation if they choose. If you’re buying an older home with young children — or planning to renovate one — that evaluation is worth taking seriously.

• Intact paint in good condition is a manageable condition. Keep it maintained, wet-wipe window troughs and sills where dust collects, and wash children’s hands and toys regularly.
• Never dry-sand, scrape, or torch suspect paint. Stripping lead paint the wrong way converts a stable surface into a house full of ingestible dust — the worst possible outcome.
• Renovation on pre-1978 homes should use an EPA Lead-Safe Certified (RRP) contractor, who contains dust, cleans properly, and verifies the work area afterward.
• Encapsulation — sealing lead paint under specialized coatings or new surfaces — is often a practical alternative to full removal.

If lead is a concern on a home you’re buying, raise it with us during your inspection — we’ll help you understand which surfaces and conditions warrant a specialist’s evaluation.

Lead paint doesn’t make an older home unlivable — unmanaged lead dust does. Know where it is, keep it stable, and renovate the right way.

Renovating an older home also raises the question of Asbestos. See what a full residential inspection covers, or browse all our Homeowner Resources.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a residential or commercial property, you need a trusted and reliable home inspector who can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Don’t let unseen problems turn into costly headaches down the road – contact us today to schedule your inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.