Lead Paint Testing

Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, which makes the build date the first question worth asking. A great deal of the older housing stock in this region predates that, and much of it still has lead somewhere under the current coat.

Verispec has inspected property across the region for more than ten years. Patrick Tolbert holds Certified Master Inspector credentials and worked as a licensed contractor beforehand, which helps in an old house where the paint history runs through several decades and several owners.

We test suspect surfaces and report what is there. Pricing is published online, testing can be added to an inspection you already have booked, and every inspection is backed by a money-back guarantee. Testing is available across our service area.

Intact Lead Paint Is Not the Emergency

Lead paint that is sound, undisturbed, and covered by later coats is generally left in place rather than stripped out. That is the standard approach, and it is why plenty of families live in pre-1978 homes without incident.

The hazard is lead dust. It comes from paint that is chipping or chalking, from friction surfaces like window sashes and door jambs that grind every time they are used, and above all from sanding and demolition during renovation. Knowing what you have before the sander comes out is the entire point of testing.

Where It Usually Turns Up

Lead was used most heavily in durable, high-wear paint, so it concentrates in predictable places rather than spread evenly through the house.

• Window sashes, sills, and jambs
• Door frames and doors
• Baseboards, trim, and stair rails
• Exterior siding, porches, and railings
• Kitchen and bathroom surfaces painted for washability
• Radiators, pipes, and painted metalwork

When You Need Something Different

Testing suspect paint answers a homeowner's or buyer's question: is there lead here, and where. That covers most people who are about to renovate or have just bought an older house.

It is not the same as a formal lead-based paint inspection or risk assessment. Oregon certifies professionals for that work, and certain rental, child-occupied facility, and regulated renovation situations require it. If yours is one of those, we will tell you plainly and point you to the certified route rather than sell you a service that will not satisfy it.

How Testing Works

1. We work out what is worth testing. Build era, paint condition, and the surfaces most likely to carry lead and most likely to be disturbed.
2. Suspect surfaces are tested. Sampled carefully, without spreading dust through the room in the process.
3. Results come back per surface. One surface testing clear says nothing about the next, so each is reported on its own.
4. You get it in writing. What was tested, where, and what came back, so you can plan the work or plan around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does lead paint testing cost?

It depends on how many surfaces need testing, since each one is assessed separately. Verispec publishes pricing online, and lead testing is usually added to an inspection you already have booked rather than charged as its own visit.

Can I live in a house with lead paint?

Millions of people do. Intact lead paint in good condition, left undisturbed and painted over, is generally managed in place rather than removed. The hazard is lead dust, which comes from paint that is chipping, chalking, or on surfaces that rub together, and from sanding or demolition during renovation.

Do the hardware store test kits work?

They can indicate lead on a surface layer, but they miss lead buried under later coats of paint, which is the common situation in an old house. They also tell you nothing about how much lead is present or whether it is a hazard in its current condition.

Do I need a certified lead inspection instead?

Sometimes. Oregon certifies lead-based paint inspectors and risk assessors, and certain situations call for that formal process, including some rental, child-occupied facility, and regulated renovation work. That is a different service from testing suspect paint. If your situation needs it, we will say so rather than sell you something that does not meet the requirement.

Is there help with the cost of fixing it?

There can be. Portland runs a Lead Hazard Control grant program that helps qualifying households cover the cost of addressing lead paint hazards, and the county LeadLine can point you to current programs. Worth checking before you assume the cost is all yours.

Can you test for asbestos at the same time?

Yes, and in a pre-1978 house it is often the sensible pairing, because the same era of construction raises both questions. Asbestos sampling, mold testing, radon, and sewer scopes are all handled in-house in the same visit.

Ready to schedule your inspection?

Book online anytime or give us a call. Get a thorough inspection, clear answers, and the information you need to move forward.