Can You Paint Over Lead Paint?

Lead-based paints were used in the United States for more than 100 years. Even though lead paint was banned in 1978, older homes that had been built before that year still have lead paint in them. If you have come here to see if you can paint over lead paint, read below to find out more. 

The basics of lead paint

As stated above, lead paint has been used in the painting industry for around 100 years before 1978. It was banned and made illegal in that year due to the fact that lead was discovered to be a neurotoxin – linked to the rise of health problems in adults and children.

Testing for lead paint

If you’re concerned that lead paint may be present, there are two ways to test for its presence:

You can do a visual inspection. Look for chipping and peeling paint on interior and exterior surfaces such as window sills, doors, window frames, and even walls. Lead paint looks like any other type of paint until it starts to deteriorate. If you see chips or flaking, the surface may contain lead paint.

Get a test kit from your local hardware store or home improvement center. Test kits usually include a pair of rubber gloves, a bottle of solution and instructions for use. Follow the instructions carefully so you don't contaminate the sample with your own fingerprints or dirt from your hands or clothing. After using the kit, seal its contents in a plastic bag before discarding so they don't end up in landfills or waterways where they could harm wildlife or people who handle them later on.

How dangerous is lead paint?

Lead paint is one of the most dangerous substances known to man, and a hazard that can harm your health and the environment, especially to children. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, brain damage and may even be fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms of lead poisoning

Lead poisoning usually occurs when someone swallows or breathes in lead-contaminated items or dust. The effects of lead poisoning vary from person to person and include:

-Nausea and vomiting

-Headaches

-Irritability or difficulty focusing attention

-Poor appetite and weight loss (in children)

-Sluggishness and lethargy (in extreme cases)

Steps to follow when painting over lead paint

When you paint over lead paint, it's important to do so carefully. If you don't follow proper precautions, the lead could become airborne and cause health problems for anyone who breathes it in.

Don’t chip, scrape, or sand existing lead paint

It is important to not chip, scrape, or sand any existing lead paint, and do not attempt to remove paint from the walls. Lead dust can be hazardous to your health if inhaled, and not being careful with lead paint can lead to dangerous toxins entering the air in someone’s living environment. 

Take safety precautions

You should always wear protective clothing and eyewear, such as a face mask, gloves, and long sleeves when working around lead paint. Use lead paint-safe tools like a scraper with a plastic blade rather than metal-edged putty knife, and use the least amount of water possible during the cleaning process. The less water you use, the less chance there is for paint chips to fall off the wall or ceiling and get into the air where they could be inhaled by someone.

Avoid spreading any dust

When painting over lead paint, it is important to avoid spreading any dust. The best way to do this is by using a wet sanding technique. Sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper. This will remove any loose paint while also preparing the surface for priming.

Use an encapsulant primer

Prime the surface with a lead-safe encapsulant primer (most paints are not safe). Follow manufacturer instructions on how long to let the primer dry before you apply the top coat of paint. This will help mitigate the toxicity and spread of lead dust into the home’s atmosphere.

Hire a professional painting company to deal with lead paint

If you suspect that the paint in your home has lead in it, you should keep your family and yourself as safe as possible by hiring a professional to deal with the lead. At Old Crow Painting, we have plenty of experience dealing with lead paint. Contact us today.