Lead-Safe Painting in Homes Built Before 1978: What DIYers Should Do

Why 1978 matters

EPA's Renovate Right guide says lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. Painted surfaces in good condition are generally not the problem; disturbing them is. Scraping, sanding and demolition create fine dust that settles on floors and surfaces. Children are most at risk, and the guide notes that pregnant women exposed to lead can transfer lead to their fetuses.

Who must follow the rule

EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program requires paid contractors who disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools to be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. EPA states that the rule does not impose requirements on homeowners performing renovations in their own homes. It does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a child care center in it, or buy, renovate and sell homes for profit. EPA recommends homeowners hire a certified contractor for pre-1978 work.

Test or assume

You can hire a certified inspector or risk assessor, or use an EPA-recognized test kit sold at hardware stores. EPA says a negative result from a trained professional using a recognized kit can reliably show that regulated lead-based paint is not present. Renovate Right adds that in an older home you may simply choose to assume lead paint is present and follow lead-safe practices.

Lead-safe DIY steps

• 1. Keep children, pregnant women and pets out of the work area at all times.
• 2. Cover floors and immovable furniture with heavy plastic and tape, and seal doors and heating and cooling vents.
• 3. Use methods that make less dust, such as wet sanding or scraping, or sanders with HEPA vacuum attachments.
• 4. Do not use open flame, power sanders without a shroud and HEPA vacuum, or heat guns above 1100 degrees F. EPA prohibits these for contractors.
• 5. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator, as the paint data sheet warning advises.
• 6. Clean up daily. At the end, HEPA vacuum all surfaces, then wet wipe and wet mop with plenty of rinse water before removing the plastic.
• 7. Look for dust or paint chips. If you see any, clean again.

What a contractor must do and what you should ask

Renovate Right explains that federal law requires renovators to give you its pamphlet before starting work that disturbs more than six square feet of painted surface in a room for interior projects. Always ask to see your contractor's certification; you can verify certification on EPA's website. The contractor must contain the work area with warning signs and plastic, avoid the prohibited methods and clean up thoroughly, and the final check is visual: there should be no dust, paint chips or debris in the work area, and if you see any the area must be re-cleaned. Occupants should not be able to enter the work area while work occurs, so plan to be out of that room until cleaning is finished and the plastic is down.

How lead exposure happens

Renovate Right says lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed, that lead dust is often invisible, and that people can swallow it through normal hand-to-mouth activity or breathe it in when lead paint is sanded, scraped, burned, brushed or blasted. Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels in their bodies, and lead is also harmful to adults. A blood test is the only way to find out whether you or a family member already has lead poisoning, so call your doctor or local health department if you are concerned.

Planning around the work

Because the contained room may not be available until work is done and cleaned, plan where you will sleep, eat and store belongings. EPA suggests a safe place for pets, which can be poisoned and can track dust, a separate path from the work area to the outside, and turning off forced-air heating and cooling while work is under way so dust does not spread through vents. Move small items out, and wrap what cannot be moved in plastic. Renovate Right also notes that lead can come from other sources, such as outside soil, water and household items like lead-glazed pottery, so the hotline can help you assess the whole picture.

When to hire help

Hire a certified contractor for large removal projects, window replacement, demolition, or when someone in the household is pregnant or has a young child. Call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) for help.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: EPA: The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right, EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, EPA: Information for Do-It-Yourselfers and the RRP Rule, Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Interior Latex Eg-Shel product data sheet (03/2025). Read 7 November 2026.