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Before you buy or sell an older home, you need to know what
hazards may exist. If selling, federal law stipulates that you must disclose any lead paint in the
home. If you're buying, you want to know what hazards may be lurking in the walls, as well as in
the pipes, before you put up your earnest money. If you suspect that a house contains high levels
of lead, you should contact a qualified professional to do an inspection. These tradesmen use a
range of tools - from the well-trained eye to complex, specialized equipment - to detect lead
levels and recommend appropriate solutions. The National Lead Information Center
can help you find a resource.
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Many solutions exist for cleaning up lead paint concentrations. Depending upon your
situation, you may find one of these an adequate solution. Removing lead paint, for example, may be as much trouble
as it is worth.
First, just the act of stripping the lead paint from the walls is likely to create dust and
debris which is more likely to be ingested. Given these hazards, you should consult a certified contractor to
complete this kind of work.
Short of removing the lead paint, you may be able to get by with covering the old, lead
paint with a coat of sealant specifically designed for this purpose. Once again, a certified contractor will be
able to recommend an appropriate solution. Financial assistance is even available in certain circumstances.
So even though a house may not carry a warning label from the EPA, a little common sense and a sharp eye should
keep your family safe.
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