How Dangerous is Exterior Lead Paint?

If your property was constructed before the 1970s, there might be lead paint lurking somewhere inside or outside your house. It was a common practice to use lead paint in the mid-1950s because it was long-lasting, durable, and offered a budget-friendly solution without sacrificing color or vibrance.

Unfortunately, lead paint is toxic and can lead to serious health concerns if you live in a home that has lead paint. Even if you are sure that you don’t have lead paint on your walls inside your home, how sure are you that you don’t have any on the exterior of your home?

How dangerous is exterior lead paint, and why does it matter? Let’s break down the details regarding the dangers of lead paint on your property below.

Why Exterior Lead Paint is a Concern

Unlike interior paint, exterior lead paint is constantly exposed to harsh weather like rain, snow, and intense UV rays. This extreme exposure accelerates the breakdown of the painted surface.

As the paint deteriorates, it doesn’t just peel away in large flakes; it also creates fine dust that can be invisible to the eye. This dust settles on porches, windowsills, and soil surrounding the home.

Key risks include:

• Soil contamination: When lead chips or dust fall into the soil, they remain for decades. Children playing in the yard or pets digging in the dirt can ingest contaminated soil without anyone realizing it. Even vegetable gardens near exterior walls can absorb lead into the food you grow.
  
• Tracking dust indoors: Lead dust from the outside can easily be tracked into the home on shoes, clothing, and pets, spreading contamination to interior spaces.
  
• Airborne particles: Activities like mowing the lawn, sweeping, or power washing can stir up lead dust, making it easy to inhale. These particles can also float into your home through open windows and doors.
  
• Constant exposure risk: Unlike interior walls, which may remain undisturbed for years, exterior surfaces break down continuously, creating an ongoing cycle of exposure.

This makes exterior lead paint particularly dangerous. It can silently contaminate your living environment and put your household at risk.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Unfortunately, the health risks associated with lead exposure are vast. Chronic lead exposure and lead poisoning can affect anyone, but children and immunocompromised people are at greater risk. 

Over time, children can experience:

• Developmental delays
• Behavioral issues
• Learning problems

These problems will only compound as long as lead paint is in the home. Lead exposure can also cause respiratory issues in young children. 

Adults can also experience negative side effects from lead paint. While lead exposure doesn’t affect learning or behavioral issues in adults, it can still cause health issues like: 

• High blood pressure
• Kidney issues
• Reproductive health risks
• Headaches
• Joint and muscle pain

All of these issues can be quite problematic and can negatively impact quality of life. Thankfully, recognizing lead paint and taking action to remove it can reverse your symptoms. 

Signs Your Home’s Exterior May Have Lead Paint

If the paint on your siding is still in good condition, it might be hard to determine what kind of paint it is without testing it. However, once lead paint starts to break down, it wears away in a distinctive pattern. 

To start, it will crack and peel in a common pattern called alligatoring. This pattern is so aptly named because the peeling chips look like alligator scales. It will also start to peel away in layers, so if you notice chunks of your paint peeling away, it might be time to investigate. 

Another indication of lead paint is the presence of chalky residue when you rub your fingers along it. This residue is lead dust that is the culprit behind a lot of the symptoms your family may be experiencing. 

Finally, the age of your home can give you a clear picture of what could be going on. Lead paint was banned from use in 1978, but that doesn’t mean it was removed from all houses. If your house was built before then, there’s a chance your home has lead paint. It could even be lurking behind layers of regular paint!

How To Test For Exterior Lead Paint

Did you know that you can test your walls for the presence of lead paint? Testing is a great option if you are worried about the layers of paint beneath your current paint, or when your paint isn’t breaking down, but you are concerned that it is, in fact, lead paint. 

The best way to go about this is to hire a professional lead testing team to perform the test! Professional lead testing offers state-of-the-art equipment and reliable results, and it can be done without removing sections of paint to test. 

Most lead testing companies use what is called XRF lead testing. XRF, or X-ray fluorescence, uses X-ray beams to test for the presence of lead. These beams can read lead levels as low as 0.5% by weight without requiring demo and reconstruction. 

XRF testing is quick, and most tests take less than an hour to complete. If lead is present, your lead testing team will discuss next steps with you to help remove the threat quickly and efficiently. 

Handling Exterior Lead Paint Safely

If your siding tests positive for lead, don’t try to DIY your own lead remediation. Dry sanding, power washing, and uncontrolled scraping will release dangerous lead dust into the air. 

Instead, let your lead testing team handle your lead paint removal. Wet sanding, scraping, and chemical stripping are some of the most trusted lead paint removal tactics. 

Encapsulating the paint is also a solution, although it is often used as a last resort if the paint cannot be removed carefully. Encapsulation is the process of applying a special coat of sealant that “locks in” the lead. 

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How dangerous is exterior lead paint?”, you can take action against any potential lead problems in and around your home. 

Worried about exterior lead paint? We can help. Contact Exit Mold today at (516) 512-7877 to schedule your XRF lead testing.