Perhaps you have invested in a charming, turn-of-the-century home that is full of unique details and authentic touches. Many homeowners are drawn to historic homes because of their architectural designs and cozy atmospheres. However, some of these homes may come with an unexpected risk - the risk of lead-based paint.
Decades ago, a lot of paint that was used inside of homes had lead as a primary ingredient. At the time people were not aware of the health risks associated with lead, and it was eventually removed from paint mixtures. It's important to be aware of what type of paint is in your home, and to understand what steps you may need to take to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
When Was Lead-Based Paint Used in Homes?
Lead was a popular ingredient in paint because it created a rich color and shiny gloss. As colorful paint was used in homes throughout the country in the early decades of the 20th century, scientists and researchers began to notice the negative impacts of lead on young children. By 1978, lead-based paint was banned from being used in residential homes so most homeowners who purchase a house built after 1978 do not have to be too concerned about lead-based paint. However, there were some builders who continued to use it illegally for years.
How to Tell If Your Home Has Lead-Based Paint
There are two main ways to know if there is lead-based paint in your home. The first is to look around for paint that is chipping or decaying. As lead-based paint deteriorates over time, it will begin to look scaly. This effect is called alligatoring and it is a tell-tale sign that lead-based paint is present in the home. The other way to know with certainty is to have the home tested for lead-based paint. Some people opt to have testing performed during the home inspection.
Lead Poisoning Symptoms
Lead poisoning is most common in children under 6 years old. These are some of the most common symptoms of lead poisoning to be aware of:
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Development delays or learning disabilities.
- Abdominal pain or frequent vomiting.
- Hearing loss.
- Chronic fatigue.
- The desire to eat items that are not food, such as paint chips.
Lead Abatement: What You Need to Know
Lead abatement is the process of removing lead from your home. If you have discovered that there is lead-based paint or other sources of lead in your home then you may be eligible for financial assistance in order to complete the lead abatement process. You may want to reach out to your local government to learn more about the resources that may be available to you.
For many people, lead is a hidden risk inside their home. They may not realize that there is lead in their paint or in other areas of their home until the young children living inside the home begin to show signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. By taking a proactive approach and having your home inspected for lead, you can address any issues and significantly reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.