Inspections and Deleading

The process of making a home lead-safe usually involves these three steps:

1. 1) Comprehensive initial lead inspection completed by a licensed lead inspector
2. 2) Deleading (removing/covering lead hazards) done by a licensed deleading contractor
3. 3) Re-inspection by the lead inspector and issuance of a Letter of Deleading Compliance once all hazards have been removed

Lead Inspections

You may suspect that there is lead paint in your house if it was built before 1978. However, the only way to be sure if and where lead hazards are in your home is to have the home inspected by a certified lead inspector. Alternately, the paint in your house may be in good condition, and you make the assumption that there are no lead hazards in your house. Often times, lead paint can be hidden beneath a coat of newer paint, but still poses a hazard.

Information on how to get a lead inspection

Lead Paint Removal

If lead hazards are discovered in your home, it is important to have the home deleaded, especially if you have children under the age of 6 or you may become pregnant.

Deleading is the process of removing lead hazards from the home or making the paint intact so that it will not chip or peel and become a hazard.  Deleading cannot be started until there has been an official lead inspection stating exactly where in the house there are lead hazards. Deleading without having an inspection is considered illegal deleading and may result in your home being banned from receiving a letter of compliance.

There are three types of deleading, some of which can be done by the property owner after proper training

1. 1) Low risk deleading is work that you may do yourself in your home such as removing and replacing doors and applying vinyl siding to building sides to remediate some of the lead hazards present. In order to perform low risk deleading work, the MA Dept of Public Health requires you to read training materials, take an at-home test, and notify them when you are doing work.
2. 2) Moderate risk deleading may also be performed by the homeowner; however, these tasks require even more training. In order to complete moderate risk deleading, a person must first complete the CLPPP training course and pass the corresponding test. Moderate risk deleading tasks include removing windows and woodwork and making paint intact. A list of moderate risk deleading training providers is available here.
3. Find a free moderate risk deleading training course by checking dates on the Calendar!
4. 3) High risk deleading may only be done by a licensed deleading contractor. This includes more complicated work, such as replacing windows. You can find a list of licensed deleading contractors here.