3 Things You Need To Know About Our Lead Based Paint Inspection

Have you wanted to ensure your home is free from lead paint but aren’t sure where to start or how complicated the process might be? Here’s a quick guide on what you need to know!

1. It's a non-invasive inspection. Our lead-based paint inspection is non-invasive thanks to our state-of-the-art XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technology. Unlike traditional methods that require cutting out paint samples and potentially damaging your home, our advanced XRF analyzer allows us to detect lead in paint quickly and accurately without any destruction. This means we can ensure your home’s safety while preserving its condition, providing you with peace of mind and maintaining the integrity of your property.

1. Our XRF technology scans every layer of paint down to the original surface. This advanced method allows us to identify lead presence not just on the top layer but in all underlying layers of paint. By analyzing each layer, we can provide a thorough assessment of potential lead hazards, giving you complete confidence in the safety and compliance of your home.

1. Our XRF gives instant results. Each scan takes only 3 seconds to complete, providing immediate feedback on the presence of lead in paint layers. This quick turnaround time allows us to promptly deliver detailed reports, ensuring you receive comprehensive information without delays. 

The Nest Assured Home Health Testing Bundle

Pregnant women and babies are the highest risk individuals for lead poisoning and air quality issues! Nest Assured is the first of its kind home health testing service created to serve expecting mothers, families, and those with babies and young children to help ensure a lead and mold safe environment. Our Nest Assured Bundle tests for lead paint, water quality and air and mold quality. Our EPA approved testing equipment and licensed technicians will put your mind at ease so that you can Nest Assured. 

The nest assured Story

Nest Assured was born in 2024 as a way to help educate and ensure the health of pregnant women, expecting families and those with babies and young children. Andrew Sams, the founder and owner of Alpine Building Performance is the father of 2, and soon to be 3 children. As a passionate healthy home advocate, Andrew realized the need for this service leading up to the birth of his second child. “Ensuring the optimal health of my wife during pregnancy through clean water and air became abundantly clear to me as a top priority. I tested our water, air and paint because I had the knowledge of the potential threats to our family and had the luxury of doing so as the owner of a company that performs these services. There is so much legitimate emphasis put on prenatal diet and nutrition, but so little awareness and education about ensuring optimal water and air quality. Furthermore, when our daughter was born, I was extremely cautious about continuing to monitor her air and water quality for optimal health. Developing bodies are particularly susceptible to small concentrations of toxins. It’s my duty as a father to protect my family in every way that I can and I want to ensure that these testing services and resources are available to all.”

Who this is for?

Protection from the dangers of lead and mold should be a basic human right, and this service can benefit anyone that lives indoors. Nest Assured was created for pregnant women, expecting families and those with babies and young children.

The Nest Assured service is applicable to any dwelling whether owned or rented, single family, townhome or condo. This service is recommended for pre-1978 dwellings due to the use of lead paint during that time period, however post 1978 dwellings can still have water and air quality issues and should be tested accordingly.

The only way to know the safety of your nest is to test. The best possible outcome is that your nest is free of harmful toxins and safe for you and your family. If testing determines that it’s not an ideal environment, we will help guide you to simple and straightforward solutions for improvement.

What Testing services are Included With Nest Assured?

Lead Paint Testing - Interior

Water Quality Testing

Mold and Air Quality Testing

Optional Add On Services

Radon Testing - Exterior Lead Paint Testing - Asbestos Testing

WhY Test The Paint, Water and Air?

Lead paint is a neurotoxin that can be ingested through paint chips and dust.

Lead in water is a neurotoxin that can be ingested through drinking.

Lead consumption whether through paint or water presents a serious risk to pregnant women and children. Some risks include developmental issues, organ damage and neurological development damage.

Source: https://www.phila.gov/guides/lead-guide/dangers-of-lead/

Mold is an allergen/toxin that can be inhaled.

Radon is a carcinogen that is inhaled.

*Radon testing is not included in the base Nest Assured bundle and is available as an add on service.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Oct 20-26

Lead Hazards in Older Homes and Buildings

If your home was built before 1978, there's a higher chance it contains lead-based paint. Although the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint in 1978, some states enforced restrictions even earlier.

Lead-based paint can still be found in millions of homes today, often buried under newer layers of paint. While intact lead-based paint may not pose an immediate threat, deteriorating paint (peeling, chipping, or cracking) can release harmful lead dust, which requires immediate attention.

Lead-based paint is especially hazardous on surfaces that children may chew on or that experience frequent wear and tear, such as:

• Windows and window sills

• Doors and door frames

• Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches

Tips for Reducing Lead Exposure in Older Homes:

• Inspect and maintain painted surfaces: Keep painted areas in good condition, and clean dust regularly with a wet cloth or paper towel.

• Hire a certified lead professional for renovations: Renovating or painting older homes can create toxic lead dust. Always consult a lead-safe certified contractor before starting projects that disturb painted surfaces.

• Prevent lead dust from entering your home: Wipe and remove shoes at the door and place dust mats inside and outside entryways.

• Check your water service line: Contact your water utility or a licensed plumber to find out if the pipe connecting your home to the water main is made from lead.

Lead exposure can be harmful, especially to children. Consider scheduling a lead inspection to ensure your home is safe and lead-free.

Learn more from the EPA here!

The Hidden Dangers of Lead: Why Professional Inspection is Essential

Lead is a toxic metal that poses serious health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. Despite its dangers, lead was commonly used in paints, pipes, and other building materials until it was banned in residential properties in the late 1970s. Today, many older homes still contain lead-based materials, creating potential health hazards for their occupants.

Exposure to lead can cause a range of health problems. In children, lead poisoning can result in developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, and weight loss. For adults, lead exposure can lead to high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, difficulties with memory or concentration, and complications during pregnancy. The effects of lead poisoning are often irreversible, making prevention and early detection critical.

Because lead is not always visible to the naked eye, it is essential to have a professional inspection if you suspect its presence in your home. Our certified lead inspectors use specialized and non-invasive analyzers to detect lead based paint in the home, no matter if it's been painted over. This thorough inspection process ensures that all potential sources of lead based paint are identified.

Attempting to test for lead yourself or ignoring the potential presence of lead can be dangerous. Disturbing lead-based materials during renovations or repairs can release toxic dust into the air, putting everyone in the home at risk. 

Given the severe health risks associated with lead exposure, it is crucial to rely on professional inspections to ensure your home is safe. Protecting your family's health and well being should always be a top priority, and professional lead inspections are a vital part of maintaining a safe living environment.

Why You Should Do a Lead Paint Test on Your Home Even if You’re Not Remodeling

When you think of lead paint, you might assume it only poses a risk during remodeling or renovation projects. However, lead paint can be a hidden danger in your home even if you’re not planning any major changes. Homes built before 1978 are particularly susceptible to containing lead-based paint, and the risks it poses to your family’s health are significant and ongoing.

The Silent Threat of Lead Paint

Over time, lead paint can deteriorate, leading to the release of toxic lead dust. This dust can settle on surfaces throughout your home, becoming a part of your everyday environment. Even simple activities like opening and closing windows or doors can disturb lead paint, releasing particles into the air that are easily inhaled or ingested.

Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, as they often put their hands or objects in their mouths. Lead exposure can cause a range of health issues, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. For pregnant women, lead exposure can affect fetal development, leading to serious complications.

Why Testing Matters

You don’t need to be remodeling for lead to pose a risk. Testing your home for lead paint is a proactive way to safeguard your family’s health. By identifying the presence of lead, you can take steps to minimize exposure, whether that means sealing or removing the lead paint or simply adopting safer practices in your home.

Even if your home seems safe on the surface, hidden dangers could be lurking in the form of lead dust. Testing provides peace of mind, ensuring that you and your loved ones are living in a healthy environment.

Protect Your Family’s Health

A lead paint test is a small investment in your home’s safety that can prevent major health issues down the road. Whether you have young children, are expecting, or simply want to ensure a safe environment, it’s worth considering lead testing as a crucial part of your home maintenance routine.