Certified lead-based paint inspections and testing for pre-1978 homes and buildings in Spokane County and the Inland Northwest
Call 509-593-8757Lead-based paint remains one of the most significant environmental hazards in older homes and buildings across the Inland Northwest. Before the federal government banned its residential use in 1978, lead-based paint was widely applied on interior and exterior surfaces throughout Spokane County. Today, any renovation, repair, or painting work that disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home or child-occupied facility is subject to strict federal and state regulations designed to protect families and workers from lead exposure.
1st Choice Environmental provides certified lead inspections that identify where lead-based paint is present in your home or building, helping you make informed decisions about renovation projects, real estate transactions, and the safety of your family or tenants. Our team includes an EPA and Washington State Department of Commerce certified Lead Inspector, and our firm holds RRP certification — meaning we meet the highest standards for lead-based paint identification and lead-safe work practice compliance.
Lead exposure is especially dangerous for children under six years old and pregnant women — even small amounts of lead dust can cause permanent developmental harm.
Our lead inspector is certified by both the EPA and the Washington State Department of Commerce for lead-based paint inspections.
Our firm holds EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification — we understand lead-safe work practice requirements from the inside out.
Expert knowledge of lead-based paint hazards in older Spokane-area homes and commercial buildings.
Clear, actionable results so you know exactly where lead hazards exist and what your options are.
Federal and Washington State regulations create several situations where lead-based paint testing is either legally required or strongly recommended:
The EPA’s RRP Rule requires that any renovation, repair, or painting work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, apartments, or child-occupied facilities must be performed by an EPA-certified renovator using lead-safe work practices. Before starting work, contractors must either assume that lead-based paint is present and follow all lead-safe protocols, or have the work area tested by a certified professional to determine whether lead-based paint exists.
In Washington State, RRP certification is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Noncompliance with the RRP Rule can result in EPA civil penalties of up to $37,500 per violation, per day.
The RRP Rule applies to contractors, subcontractors, landlords performing maintenance on rental properties, and anyone who renovates pre-1978 housing for resale. It does not generally apply to homeowners working on their own owner-occupied residence, unless they rent part of the home or operate a child care facility.
Under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule (Section 1018 of Title X), sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing must disclose known lead-based paint hazards to buyers and renters before the sale or lease. Buyers are entitled to a 10-day period to conduct a lead inspection before the transaction is finalized. A professional lead inspection gives buyers clear information about potential lead hazards before committing to a purchase.
Even outside of regulatory requirements, a lead inspection is recommended any time young children or pregnant women will be living in or regularly visiting a pre-1978 home. Lead-based paint that is intact and in good condition is generally not an immediate hazard, but deteriorating paint, friction surfaces like windows and doors, and any renovation activity can generate dangerous lead dust.
Not sure if your project or property needs a lead inspection? Call us at 509-593-8757 for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand the requirements that apply to your specific situation.
Lead-based paint was used extensively in residential and commercial construction before 1978. It was valued for its durability, moisture resistance, and ability to maintain a fresh appearance. While its use has been banned in residential applications for decades, it remains present in millions of older homes and buildings across the country, including throughout Spokane County.
Common locations where lead-based paint is found include:
Lead can also be present in the soil around older homes from exterior paint deterioration, and in dust that has accumulated on interior surfaces over time. Our inspections evaluate all suspect surfaces to give you a complete picture of lead hazards on your property.
We start with a conversation about your property, its age, and the reason for the inspection — whether it’s a renovation project, real estate transaction, child safety concern, or regulatory compliance need. We’ll help you determine the right scope of testing for your situation.
Our EPA and Washington State Department of Commerce certified Lead Inspector conducts a thorough inspection of the property, identifying all painted surfaces and components that may contain lead-based paint. We collect samples from representative surfaces throughout the building, focusing on areas most likely to present a hazard or be disturbed during planned renovation work.
Paint chip samples are submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Results confirm the presence or absence of lead-based paint and the concentration levels found. Rush turnaround is available for time-sensitive projects.
You receive a comprehensive inspection report documenting all tested surfaces, laboratory results, and the location of any lead-based paint identified. The report includes clear guidance on which areas require lead-safe work practices if renovation is planned.
If lead-based paint is found, we help you understand your options. In many cases, lead-based paint that is intact and in good condition can be managed in place. If it will be disturbed during renovation, lead-safe work practices or professional lead abatement may be necessary. We’ll explain what applies to your project and help you plan accordingly.
1st Choice Environmental provides lead inspection services to a wide range of clients across Spokane County and the Inland Northwest, including:
If your home was built before 1978 and you are hiring a contractor to perform renovation, repair, or painting work, the EPA’s RRP Rule requires that lead-based paint be either assumed present or tested before work begins. The contractor must be EPA-certified and use lead-safe work practices. A lead inspection before work starts can determine whether lead-based paint is actually present, which may save you the cost of full lead-safe protocols on surfaces that test negative. If you are doing the work yourself on your own owner-occupied home, the RRP Rule does not generally apply, but testing is still recommended for your family’s safety.
The EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule is a federal regulation that requires contractors performing renovation work in pre-1978 homes, apartments, and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. The rule has been fully in effect since April 2010. In Washington State, RRP certification is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $37,500 per violation per day. The rule applies to contractors, subcontractors, landlords, and house flippers — but does not generally apply to homeowners working on their own occupied residence.
You cannot tell whether paint contains lead just by looking at it. The only way to know for certain is professional testing. If your home was built before 1978, there is a significant chance that lead-based paint was used on some surfaces. Homes built before 1960 are at particularly high risk, as lead was a common paint ingredient during that era. 1st Choice Environmental can test painted surfaces in your home and provide definitive laboratory results.
Lead-based paint that is intact and in good condition on a surface that is not subject to friction or impact is generally not an immediate health hazard. However, lead dust can be generated from friction surfaces such as windows and doors, from impact surfaces like door frames, and from any renovation or repair work that disturbs painted surfaces. Even normal wear and tear over time can release lead dust. The greatest risk is to young children, who are more vulnerable to lead poisoning and more likely to come into contact with contaminated dust on floors and windowsills.
Under federal law (Section 1018 of Title X, the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act), sellers of pre-1978 housing must disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards to the buyer, provide any available records or reports, and give the buyer a 10-day opportunity to conduct a lead inspection. Sellers must also provide the EPA pamphlet “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.” Landlords have similar obligations when leasing pre-1978 housing. Failure to comply with disclosure requirements can result in significant legal liability.
The on-site inspection typically takes one to several hours depending on the size of the property and the number of surfaces being tested. Laboratory analysis of paint chip samples generally takes 1 to 5 business days for standard turnaround, with rush options available for time-sensitive projects. We work to accommodate your project timeline and can often schedule inspections on short notice.
Finding lead-based paint does not mean you need to remove it immediately. If the paint is intact and in good condition, it can often be managed in place through regular maintenance and monitoring. If you are planning renovation work that will disturb lead-painted surfaces, lead-safe work practices must be used. For severely deteriorated surfaces or high-hazard situations, professional lead abatement may be the best option. Our inspection report will clearly identify which surfaces tested positive and provide guidance on your options based on your specific circumstances.
Proudly serving Spokane, Spokane Valley, and all of Spokane County. Also serving Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Whitman, Adams, Grant, and Ferry Counties in Eastern Washington; Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Shoshone, and Latah Counties in North Idaho; and Missoula, Flathead, Mineral, and Sanders Counties in Western Montana.
Buying, selling, or renovating a pre-1978 home? Protect your family and stay in compliance. Call us for a consultation.