I have been told that the kits you buy are not very good.
I have not tried it though. I know I have lead paint in areas because it looks different than latex.

When they do it professionally they have some wierd lazer gun and it just detects the lead in the paint somehow. I am not sure how it works. It sees through a number of layers of paint also.

I would have it professionally done. I think if they find lead they can give you some valuable advice on how to keep your family safe. Also their testing is much more reliable than the little kits.

Remember, many, many houses have lead paint and most of them are not a danger to your family. It is useful to know where you have the lead paint so you can wash there frequently and make sure the paint is in good shape. Also, if you do any updating it is useful to know this as you should try not to sand lead paint.

I think that is why a professional is best. They can help you out. Some people buy a kit and see there is lead in the house and then take matters into their own hands, which may be worse than just leaving the paint where it is.

best of luck
-renee

Thanks you Renee, we have a professional coming next week to look at it!

The pros use a gama ray source (same as x-rays but generated from radioactive decay) and look for emissions given off by lead when the gamma runs into it.
It is quick and simple if you have the tester.

The chmical test kits are sensative enough, but can only work if they can come in contact with the lead. If it is under layers of non-lead paint the paint must be cut to expose all the layers.
Not all alkyd (oil) paint has lead in it. Lead was used (as lead acetate, AKA 'sugar of lead) to help harden the paint film and improve the gloss.
Cheaper paint did not contain lead, but expensive paints did.

I think you are doing the right thing by having a professional do the testing. I had my home professionally tested twice, once before we moved in and once during a renovation four years later. I used hardware store kits during the renovation, which indicated that no lead was present, but the professional tester found low levels that the hardware store kit didn't detect. (My children were both exposed to the dust but a blood test -- done by my pediatrician -- came back basically negative.)

Rachel, what sort of renovation were you doing? I am just curious. Our downstairs has a rug and it will need to be replaced soon. I don't know what is under the rug (painted flooring??? subfloor??) and I am wondering if us removing the rug would kick up lead dust, so I am wondering if I should remove the corner of the rug and have someone test the flooring under it for lead. We don't have kids, but I know dust can get everywhere and sit around for a long time.

We actually have a steam cleaner for the rug (we have two dogs) and we clean it alot so I don't think the rug would have lead. Plus we have replaced nearly all the windows in the house. They weren't the original ones so it didn't matter. I have heard that most of the lead dust comes from windows and door jams.

-renee

Renee-
Honestly with carpeting your concern should be asbestos tile as much as broken paint chips that contain led. A lot of old tile has asbestos and people start pealing it up and expose themselves to asbestos.

You don't need to contact a professional about mitigating/dealing with lead paint. There are nationally produced phamplets: google for Protecting your family lead paint and you'll get the one that realtors and landlords must distribute.

Good luck!

I am more worried about getting the lead everywhere personally.
The asbestos tiles are not very friable and unless you sand them do not give off asbestos easily at all. Popping them off the floor will not release the asbestos unless they are already falling apart.
I was concerned about old tile in our house and did some research on the asbestos tile.
If there is tile under the rug I won't be removing it anyways. I would just put the new rug or wood over it. Then I won't have to worry about it.
-renee