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Can Painting Over Lead Paint Cause It to Test Negative?

"Homes built prior to 1978 have a good chance of containing some lead-based paint, while heavily leaded paint exists in nearly all home built prior to the 1950s," according to Colorado State University. Since lead does not break down naturally, it remains a problem until removed. Although painting over lead paint reduces immediate risk, it is not a permanent solution. This and other measures can help keep your family safe.

  1. Loose Paint

    • Cracked and loose paint on windowsills and wood trim within the home pose a great hazard, especially to young children. Replace wood where possible. Dry sanding and scraping methods create airborne dust, increasing exposure to lead. Remove loose paint by spraying the surface with water and gently scraping. Seal removed paint in a plastic bag and dispose of according to local ordinances.

    Repainting

    • Seal the surface with approved sealer from your local home improvement center and then apply paint over the sealer. Removing old paint, sealing wood and repainting should bring lead levels to negative or within safe levels, but wood is not the only things that may contain lead or lead dust.

    Fiber Materials

    • Remove all carpeting and pads and wash window treatments. Properly dispose of old carpeting. Vacuum subflooring with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter and wash the surface with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution; let dry and vacuum again. Retest subflooring for lead; if needed, apply an approved sealer to those surfaces. When they are clean and sealed, you can install new flooring material.

    Walls and Ceiling

    • Walls and ceilings can contain surface dust that could include lead. Before testing walls, wash them with a TSP solution. If lead is present, you have several options. You can apply a sealer and repaint them or cover them with wallpaper, drywall or paneling. Covering high concentrations of lead with paint alone will not make your walls test negative for lead content.

    Safety

    • When testing and ridding your home of lead, take proper precautions to limit your exposure. Do one room at a time and seal each completed room off from the rest of the house until all rooms are complete. Do not eat or drink in the work area. Wear protective clothing and shoes and use a respirator that contains a HEPA filter. Do not wear work clothing into finished parts of the house and shower immediately following your day's work.

    Added Measures

    • If your home was not tested for lead before you moved in, remove and properly clean all belongs before bringing them back into the home. Once your home tests in acceptable ranges, retest every now and then. Testing the soil around your home can help reduce re-contamination within your home.

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