EPA Lead-Based Paint Inspector | 3rd EYE HOME INSPECTION

Lead-Based Paint Testing & Inspections

The History of Lead-Based Paint and where it was used

Lead is a heavy and soft metal that can be found commonly around the world. Lead has been used for many applications such as paints, plumbing, and gasoline. Lead-Based Paint is found more often in pre-1950 housing units, although housing constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. It is found as often in homes of more affluent as lower-income housing in both rural and urban housing.

Uses of Lead Paint

The lead was added to paint, stains, shellacs, for three main reasons.

As a pigment
To add durability and corrosion resistance
As a drying agent

Japan Dryer

Let us check & test for potential hazards

If you own an older home (1978), property or are in the process to purchase, it can be crucial to contact an inspection professional such as 3rd EYE to ensure your safety. Our coverage area is the state of Georgia and Alabama, 3rd EYE inspectors can perform lead paint tests, checking for lead presence in the paint itself and any lead contaminants that might have spread as dust to surrounding property areas. Our lead-based paint inspectors receive their training for the state of Georgia in this specialty area and are extremely thorough, inspecting your property’s interior, exterior, soil, pipes, and paint.

3rd EYE Lead Inspectors are:

A State Certified, Licensed Clearance and Inspection Firm.
Able to inspect Target Housing (HUD/ VA/ FHA Loans) and Child Occupied Facilities.
In most cases, we can offer a flexible schedule to accommodate your scheduling.
Detailed and thorough on every inspection.

We are dedicated to you and your families safety, 3rd EYE inspectors may assess for potential contact between building occupants and lead-based material to determine hazard levels. We’ll work with you based on your schedule to define an appropriate, actionable response to lead paint hazards.

Why is Lead Testing Important

Once the government learned that lead is highly toxic and can cause serious health problems including damage to the kidneys, the brain, the nerves, and blood if absorbed by the body. Children and pregnant are highly at risk of exposure when in contact with lead. Children tend to put paint chips in their mouths or chew on window sills. Pregnant women can become exposed through inhalation when the dust is airborne; when work is performed in the home or if someone performs construction work and track the worksite back into the home.

While lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it's in satisfactory condition, not deteriorating, or not in a dust form or heated. If you're in the process of moving/ renting into a home or preparing to sell your home, a lead-based paint test from a 3rd EYE inspector could help protect and shield you from the potential hazard.

Lead-Based Paint Inspection: The Professional Process

We are equipped with the latest technologies our lead inspectors begin with the use of a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine to detect any lead presence. If necessary, our skilled lead inspectors may also submit paint, dust, and soil samples to a nationally accredited lab for extensive analysis.

Our expertise can assist you with identifying if there are any current lead hazards present in or around the home or property, and we may help you to develop an action plan to address those hazards.

3rd EYE is a qualified Lead-Based Firm near you. We are flexible in most cases to work with your schedule.

Lead Paint Inspection

This is the Chapter 7 HUD/EPA Protocol. It is performed by a licensed Lead Inspector or Risk Assessor with an XRF device. (X-ray fluorescence). A surface-by-surface test is done on all components inside and outside of the dwelling. By performing a lead inspection you legally eliminate all components that are not lead paint. It is also the only way you can certify a property lead-free.

An XRF Instrument is a $15,000.00 - $20,000.00 device. You cannot do a Lead Inspection without an XRF(HUD Homes). This is recommended for long-term homeownership, home buys, and pre-construction assessments.

Our typical cost with all testing, recommendations, certifications, and the final report is $600.00 for a 3 bedroom single level home.

For more information on Chapter 7 Protocol, please see the EPA Chapter 7 Guidelines.

Lead Paint Risk Assessments

This is the Chapter 5 HUD/EPA Protocol. It is performed by a licensed Risk Assessor. A surface-by-surface visual inspection is performed to determine the presence of any deteriorated paint, friction-impact surfaces, or mountable painted surfaces. These components are then tested for the presence of lead-based paint. An XRF device is necessary or destructive sampling must be employed to collect paint chip samples. (A proper paint chip sample is done by cutting a 2" x 2" area from the painted surface and submitting it to a lab so the non-destructive XRF makes the best sense) Areas that also may be tested for lead paint content are any areas that will be impacted by construction or remodeling. After all paint testing has been performed dust wipe samples are to be collected from random areas in the home, centering in on rooms where small children spend most of their time. Soil samples are also collected from the house areas and play areas.

Water testing is optional per HUD/EPA recommendations.

Our typical cost with all testing, labs, recommendations, certifications and the final report is $675.00 for a 3 bedroom single level home (includes up to 15 lab samples).

You can combine a Chapter 7 Lead Inspection with a Chapter 5 Risk Assessment. The typical cost for Combination Inspection for a 3 bedroom single level home is $850.00

For more information on Chapter 5 Protocol, please see the EPA Chapter 5 Guidelines.

Lead Paint Clearance Inspection

GA Section 8 Clearance Inspection

This is the Chapter 15 HUD/EPA Protocol. It is performed by a licensed Lead Inspector or Risk Assessor. A previous Lead Inspection/Risk Assessment is necessary with a scope of work OR the Clearance becomes a Risk Assessment/Clearance. A surface by surface visual inspection is performed to determine the presence of any remaining deteriorated paint, friction-impact surfaces, or hazard areas including paint chips or paint dust. All components are assumed to contain lead paint unless tested for the presence of lead-based paint.

If all painted components are intact, covered, or replaced, the area cleaned, no exterior paint chips or dust, the dust wipe samples are collected randomly from every other room from a floor, window sill, or a floor window well combination. On the exterior, any uncovered soil will be sampled. Dust wipes and soil are sent to a lab and if they pass - a Lead Compliance Certificate is awarded to the unit/property.

Our typical cost with all testing, labs, fail recommendations (if applicable), certifications, and the final report is $675.00 per test for a 3 bedroom single level home add $45.00 for each additional room(includes up to 15 lab samples).

For more information on Chapter 15 Protocol, please see the EPA Chapter 15 Guidelines.

This is a modified Chapter 15 Clearance Inspection. A copy of the violation sheet is necessary. We can obtain one when provided with the Event ID on the paperwork.

Cited components must be stabilized and recoated, replaced, or covered with all surfaces within the room clean and chip/dust-free for Inspection.

If the components do not contain lead as determined by the XRF device, A Lead-Free Certificate for the cited components is issued, otherwise, dust wipe samples must be collected and submitted to a lab for clearance. Once samples pass a Lead Compliant Certificate will be issued for the cited components. This will satisfy all GAHA requirements.

Our typical cost with all testing, labs, fail recommendations (if applicable), certifications, and the final report is $325.00.

***Reinspections are $175.00