Lead paint: where you might find it
Lead was widely used in household paints for much of the 20th century, particularly on woodwork, metal and some exterior surfaces, before being phased out. Homes built before the 1960s are the most likely to have it, often hidden under later coats on skirting boards, doors, windows, banisters and railings.
Intact lead paint under newer paint isn't usually a hazard. The risk comes from dust and fumes when it's sanded, scraped or burnt off.
Why it matters
Lead dust is harmful if swallowed or breathed in, and young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. That's why dry sanding or using a blowlamp on old paint is a bad idea unless you know it's lead-free.
- Test kits can indicate whether lead is present
- Wet sanding and chemical strippers reduce dust
- Dust should be cleaned up carefully, not swept
- Children and pregnant women should stay away from the work area
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Artex and other textured coatings
Textured coatings – swirls, stipples and patterns on ceilings and walls – were very popular from the 1960s to the 1980s. Some of those applied before 2000 contain asbestos. Like lead paint, an intact textured coating isn't usually a risk; the problem is disturbing it by sanding, scraping, drilling or removing it.
If you want a textured ceiling removed or skimmed over, or if any work will disturb it, have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory first. If asbestos is present, removal should be carried out by appropriately trained specialists.
What to ask your decorator
A decorator who works on older homes should be comfortable talking about lead and textured coatings. Ask whether they'll test suspect paint, how they'll prepare it without creating dust, and what they recommend for textured ceilings. If someone plans to dry sand old gloss in a Victorian house without a second thought, that's worth querying.
