Lead Paint in Older Homes: What to Know Before You Sand

If your home was built or decorated before the 1990s, there is a fair chance that somewhere under the top coats sits paint containing lead. Most of the time it does no harm, as long as it is left alone. The danger starts when someone sands it.

This guide explains what to look for, how to stay safe, and when to call in a professional.

Why old paint contains lead

Lead compounds gave paint colour, durability and a good finish, and they were used widely for centuries. In the UK, use fell away through the mid twentieth century, and lead paint was not banned for general sale until 1992. Homes built before 1960 are the most likely to have it. Anything up to the 1980s could.

Woodwork, doors, window frames, skirting, radiators and metal railings are the usual hiding places. Gloss paint is the main suspect, though walls in very old houses can have it too.

Why it matters

Intact paint in good condition is low risk. Trouble comes from dust and fumes released by sanding, scraping, burning off or heat guns. Lead dust settles on floors and surfaces, gets on hands and toys, and is swallowed or breathed in.

Young children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable. Lead builds up in the body over time and can affect the nervous system, kidneys and development. That is why this matters even for a small job in a house you are about to move into.

How to find out if you have it

• Age is the first clue. If the house or the paint predates the 1990s, treat it as suspect.
• Home test kits. Swab-style kits are sold in DIY shops and online. They give a quick indication, but they are not foolproof and can miss lead under newer layers. Cut a small notch through the layers so the test sees the old coats.
• Laboratory testing. A paint sample sent to a lab gives a definite answer. It is the sensible route if the work is large or children live in the house.

If you cannot be sure, assume it is there and work accordingly.

Safer ways to prepare

Do not dry sand. This is the single most important rule. Dry sanding creates fine dust that spreads through the house.

Do not burn it off. Heat guns and blowtorches can release lead fumes. Chemical strippers are often safer, though they bring their own handling rules.

Wet methods. Dampening the surface before scraping keeps dust down. Wet-and-dry paper used with water works for light keying.

Contain the area. Seal off the room, lay polythene sheeting, and keep children, pets and anyone expecting a baby out of the house while work is under way.

Use proper equipment. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is essential for cleaning up. An ordinary household hoover blows the finest dust straight back into the air. Disposable overalls and a correctly fitted FFP3 mask are standard for a professional.

Clean as you go. Wipe surfaces with damp cloths, bag the waste, and wash hands and face before eating or drinking.

Sometimes the best option is not to remove it

If the old paint is sound, it can often be painted over. A good key, a suitable primer and fresh coats seal the lead in rather than stirring it up. This is frequently the safest and cheapest route, especially on windows and doors where stripping would be messy.

If the paint is flaking, peeling or being worn by friction, such as on a window sash or door edge, then it does need dealing with carefully.

Disposing of the waste

Paint scrapings and dust can count as hazardous waste. Bag them securely and ask your local council about the right route. Do not put them in the ordinary household bin without checking.

Period homes need extra thought

Old houses combine lead, fragile plaster and historic timber, so heavy-handed stripping can cause more harm than the paint ever did. If yours is that sort of property, see our notes on timber-framed homes and on how professionals prepare surfaces.

Getting help

Our decorators are used to old paintwork in interior painting and period jobs across Bury St Edmunds. If you are planning a project and are not sure what is under the surface, we will test, advise and price it properly. Ask for a quote and mention the age of the house.

This is general safety information. If you are concerned about exposure, speak to your GP or the UK Health Security Agency.