Lead Testing Services in Cleveland
Professional lead testing and inspection services can help detect dangerous lead levels in your indoor and outdoor spaces. It's estimated that hundreds of thousands of homes in Ohio contain lead-based paint, making it important to find a trustworthy Cleveland lead inspection company.
The Importance of Quality Lead Inspections
Lead is a natural element, but it can have negative health effects. Before starting any renovation or remodeling, it's crucial to test all painted surfaces in your home for lead.
Our goal is to help homeowners identify issues in their homes and provide recommendations for a healthy environment. Most lead inspectors only collect samples and aren't allowed to provide recommendations or treatment options.
That's why all of our inspectors are certified as Lead Risk Assessors. With this additional certification, our team can perform on-site tests and discuss the hazards associated with leaded materials, providing you with valuable advice on how to handle elevated lead levels.
Lead Testing All Parts of Your Cleveland Home
Accurately testing your home may require examining hundreds of surfaces with different paint layers. Older or custom-built homes may have features such as window trims, crown molding, or wainscoting and may require more samples.
Using advanced technology, our team can perform on-site lead testing throughout various areas without damaging the paint. Some common examples of surfaces and materials tested during lead inspections in Cleveland include:
Door
Door jam
Door trim
Window (one set per room)
Window trim
Windowsill
Walls (one sample per wall)
Ceiling
Wainscoting
Crown molding
Floor (if applicable)
Closets (doors and walls)
Base trim (1 per room)
Health Risks Associated with Lead Exposure Lead can be absorbed and stored in our tissues, bones, and blood, and as we age, lead is released from our bones. If lead enters the human body a second time, it's mistaken for calcium and other essential compounds, leading to severe health effects.
Lead poisoning symptoms develop gradually and are often similar to those caused by other conditions, making them easily overlooked.
Children
Young children are at higher risk of lead exposure due to their play habits, such as playing on the floor, being outside, and putting things in their mouth. Children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure since they are in a critical stage of growth, where bones, muscles, and brain connections are constantly being developed.
Even low levels of lead exposure in children can result in:
Growth delays
Nervous system problems
Behavioral issues
Vomiting and nausea
Seizures and comas
Brain dysfunction
Muscle weakness
Abdominal pain and cramping
Adults should also be concerned about lead exposure. Although the amount of lead needed to cause harm in adults is higher than in children, it can still lead to serious health effects, including:
Muscle and joint pain
Nervous system disorders
Digestive complications
Concentration and memory issues
Fertility problems
Hypertension
If pregnant, potential harm to the fetus including brain damage and death
Types of Lead Paint Tests
There are three common methods for testing lead paint in Cleveland homes:
Swab-Style DIY Kits
Swab-style do-it-yourself kits are commonly used by DIYers. They consist of a swab used to collect paint samples and a developing solution to test for lead. However, these kits often have limited accuracy and can miss potential hazards.
In-Lab Testing
In-lab testing involves collecting paint samples and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. This method is more accurate than DIY kits, but it also takes longer to get results and may not provide on-site recommendations.
Professional Lead Testing
Professional lead testing is performed by certified lead inspectors who collect and test samples on-site using advanced technology. Our team of Lead Risk Assessors not only detects dangerous lead levels, but also provides recommendations and advice on how to handle elevated lead levels.
Choose the Right Lead Testing Company in Cleveland
When choosing a lead testing company in Cleveland, it's important to select one that is certified and experienced. Our team of Lead Risk Assessors is certified by the EPA and has years of experience in performing lead inspections in Cleveland and throughout Ohio.
Don't take any chances with your health or the health of your loved ones. Contact us today for professional lead testing and inspection services in Cleveland. Our team is here to help ensure that your indoor and outdoor spaces are free from dangerous lead levels.
