Painted over lead paint- is it dangerous?
by
Shelley
We purchased a house that was built in 1930. We know that the house has lead paint that has been painted over. We don't have any children so we don't have any concern about possible consumption of lead. Someone told me that we could still get poisoned by the paint. What is the truth? can the lead be removed and is it more dangerous to remove than leaving it alone?
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Usually, if the paint is not peeling and is completely covered, you are probably ok although to be sure, you can ask the doctor to have a blood test for lead levels. I would definitely ask a professional for an opinion (general contractor). You don't want to mess around when it comes to a potential health issue.
Lead-based paint that is in good condition (not peeling or flaking) and that is not on a part of the wall that comes into friction with any other part – such as paint that is on window frames – can be safely painted over. Prime and paint as you normally would, allowing the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the second coat. This can take from four hours to overnight, depending on the type of paint you use and how damp the climate. Mark the date that you painted the wall, because it will need to repainted every four to 10 years to keep the new paint from wearing off enough to let the lead-based paint become a hazard again.