Welcome to CHANGE, Inc. Lead Paint & Home Inspection
LEAD PAINT Older Homes and Buildings If a home was built before 1978, there is a good chance it has lead based paint. In 1978, the Federal Government banned Consumer uses of lead containing paint Lead from paint, including lead contaminated dust is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning
Exterior of Older Home Showing Weathered Paint
What are the Health Effects of Lead? Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body Children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in: Behavior and learning problems Lower IQ and Hyperactivity Slowed growth Hearing Problems Anemia In rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death.
Adults Lead is also harmful to You and I Adults exposed to lead can suffer from: Cardiovascular effects Increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension Decreased kidney function Reproductive problems (in both men and women)
Old Worn Paint on Steps
Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead paint is usually not a problem. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp) is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
Closer look at old paint
Lead Paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as: Windows and window sills Doors and door frames Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches
Chipping, Bubbling, Paint on Door
Peeling, Flaking, Chalking Paint Due to Water Damage
Example of Old Paint on Old Doors that are Flaking and Peeling
Close Look at Old Paint on Doors
New Door, Old Paint Chipping on Footer
Example an Acceptable Cover for Peeling or Chipping Paint
Soil, yards and playgrounds can become contaminated when exterior lead-based paint from houses or buildings flakes or peels and gets into the soil.
Example of Worn Paint Due to Lawn Care (Weed Trimmer)
Interior Example of Gouged and or Chipped Paint
Interior Example of Wearing Paint
Lead in household dust results from indoor sources such as old lead paint on surfaces that are frequently in motion or bump or rub together (such as window frames), deteriorating old lead paint on any surface, home repair activities, tracking lead contaminated soil from the outdoors into the indoor environment, or even from lead dust on clothing worn at a job site. Even in well-maintained homes, lead dust can form when leadbased paint is scraped, sanded or heated during home repair activities. Lead paint chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when the home is vacuumed or swept, or people walk through it.
Interior Baseboard Showing Paint Wear and Chipping
Again, how does lead affect children? Small children can be exposed by eating lead-based paint chips, chewing on objects painted with lead-based paint, or swallowing house dust or soil that contains lead. Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. A child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop: blood anemia severe stomachache muscle weakness brain damage If a child swallows smaller amounts of lead, much less severe effects on blood and brain function may occur. Even at much lower levels of exposure, lead can affect a child's mental and physical growth. Unborn children can be exposed to lead through their mothers. Harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant, learning difficulties, and reduced growth in young children. Some of these effects may persist beyond childhood.
Interior Paint Wear due to Baby Gate Usage
Deteriorating Porch How Many Examples Do You See?
Do you see the paint hazards in this photo?
What is wrong with this picture
What Do You See?
Interior Damage to Home due to Water Damage
Good Example What New Siding on a Home can Hide from View
Anything Wrong with this Picture?
Any Concerns with this Picture?
Example of a Roof showing damage to the tiles
What Future Problems do you see this Homeowner needs to fix?
For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection Why a Buyer Needs a Home Inspection A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to: Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems; Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.
Appraisals are Different from Home Inspections An appraisal is different from a home inspection. Appraisals are for lenders; home inspections are for buyers. An appraisal is required to: Estimate the market value of a house; Make sure that the house meets minimum property standards/requirements; and Make sure that the property is marketable.
Be an Informed Buyer It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so before signing your contract, or may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection.
What would an inspector look at? This is a sample checklist to help you make sure that you are looking at all parts of the house Check off those items that are in good condition and make notes about those that are not (Note that this list describes an ideal house, but in our experience no house is perfect not even brand new ones!!) Important Reminder! This checklist should not be relied upon as a home inspection report, nor should it be considered a substitute for a home inspection. This list is representative, but NOT exhaustive. If you require a home inspection, contact a qualified, educated, licensed, experienced certified home inspector in your area.
Grounds Proper grading drainage away from house No evidence of standing water No leaks from septic tank or leech field Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition No branches or bushes touching house or overhanging the roof Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detached garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from structure Downspout drainage directed away from structure
Structure Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging Window and doorframes appear square (especially bowed windows) Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks
Exterior Surfaces Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials no wood-to-earth contact Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, or flaking components Stucco: no large cracks Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding No vines on surface of structure Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters No stains on exterior surfaces
Windows, Doors and Wood Trim Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay Joints around frames are caulked No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken double-paned, insulated window seals Glazing on windows in good condition Storm windows or thermal glass used Drip caps installed over windows
Roof Composition shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing Wood shingles or shakes: no mold, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings Flashing around roof penetrations No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition
Attic No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations No evidence of decay or damage to structure Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house) Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic No open electrical splices
Interior Rooms Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level No stains on floors, walls or ceilings Flooring materials in good condition No significant cracks in walls or ceilings Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes installed Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage, decay, no broken hardware Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition Wood trim installed well and in good condition Lights and switches operate properly Adequate number of three pronged electrical outlets in each room Electrical outlets test properly Heating/cooling source in each habitable room Evidence of adequate insulation in walls Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined
Kitchen Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s) Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly No leaks in pipes under sinks Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay Water flow in sink adequate No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes Built-in appliances operate properly Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly
Bathrooms Working exhaust fan that doesn't terminate in the attic space Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures Sink, tub and shower drain properly Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition If sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak Toilet operates properly Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower
Miscellaneous Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances Stairway treads and risers solid Stair handrails where needed and in good condition
Basement No evidence of moisture Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts Insulation at rim/band joists
Crawl Space Adequately vented to exterior Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area No evidence of insect damage No evidence of moisture damage
Plumbing Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house. Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow Well water test is acceptable
Electrical Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-andtube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating No aluminum cable for branch circuits
Heating/Cooling System Appears to operate well throughout (good air flow on forced hot air systems) Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection No rust around cooling unit No combustion gas odor Air filter(s) clean Ductwork in good condition No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes or air ducts Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal
Resources for More Information Test Kits for Lead: LeadCheck.com EPA.gov Search: Home Inspection, Home Inspection Checklist, State Home Inspections www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/basics/definition/con- 20035487 www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/