LEAD PAINT INSPECTIONS
Lead Paint Inspections for Landlords
Are you a landlord trying to rent a property in the State of Maryland that was built before 1978? If so, than you need an Lead Inspector accredited with the Maryland Department of the Environment to inspect your property for Lead Paint. This consists of evaluating the paint for deterioration and collecting dust samples throughout the property, and having them tested for lead dust concentrations. If the level of lead dust is low enough, we can issue you a certificate to provide to your tenants.
Call and speak to the Inspector about getting your lead inspection today.
Full Risk Reduction Certification
This inspection requires a Visual Review and Dust Inspection, which is generally conducted in a vacant unit prior to occupancy by a new tenant. This inspection must be done before a new tenant moves in. An inspector must collect dust samples from each room in the unit. Each dust sample must be analyzed by a qualified laboratory, and the results must fall below specified levels. In general, testing for lead contaminated dust is most likely to be successful in a clean, well maintained property. Flaking or chalking lead paint on windows, in particular, may be an important source of lead dust in a unit.
Call and speak to the Inspector about getting your lead inspection today.
Modified Risk Reduction Certification
This inspection requires both a Visual Inspection and a Dust Inspection and is generally conducted in an occupied unit in response to either: (a) a notice of defective paint or related conditions which may increase the risk of lead exposure; or (b) a notice that a child or pregnant woman in the unit has a lead level of 10 micrograms or higher per deciliter of blood. Prior to the Visual Inspection, the property owner should review the lead hazard reduction requirements of the law. All work performed to meet the lead hazard reduction standards, including cleaning, must be conducted by an MDE accredited contractor or supervisor. After all work has been completed, an accredited Lead Paint Visual Inspector or Lead Paint Risk Assessor may verify that the necessary work has been satisfactorily completed and can then issue the certificate.
Call and speak to the Inspector about getting your lead inspection today.
Rental Registration
Support for Landlords. Maryland regulations require registration and testing of all pre-1978 housing before new tenants move in. We are accredited with MDE and can help you complete your MDE rental registration paperwork and provide you with your MDE form 330 so that your can complete your MDE rental property registration.
Call and speak to the Inspector about getting your lead inspection today.
What is the inspector looking for during a lead paint inspection?
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Was the home built prior to 1978?
Only housing available for rental, built prior to 1978, is required to be tested for contaminated dust from lead paint. Homes inhabited by owners do not need to be tested unless a child in the household has been exposed to lead and has an Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBL).
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Is there any chipping, peeling, flaking, deteriorating paint on the interior or exterior of the property?
Maryland Department of the Environment requires all paint on the property to be in good condition, regardless of whether that paint is lead paint or not. Any deteriorated paint must be corrected prior to any sampling taking place.
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Are there any original wood windows on the property?
Wood windows have large contact areas, often were painted with lead paint and are a common vector for lead paint contaminated dust. MDE requires that wood windows be selected for additional testing.
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How may Room Equivalents exist on the property?
In addition to creating a sketch of the property to satisfy inspection requirements, the number or Room Equivalents is how we determine the amount of testing the property will require.
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Is the property clean and sanitary?
A lack of cleanliness is the single biggest cause of failure of dust wipe samples. Lead dust can be tracked in from outdoors, even from the deteriorating paint on other peoples properties. Cleanliness is the easiest way to ensure sampling is not contaminated from outside sources.
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What is the lead concentration of dust wipe samples?
As of July 1, 2020 the allowable lead concentrations in dust wipe samples are:
Floors | < 10 µg/ft2
Window Sills | < 100 µg/ft2
Window Wells | < 100 µg/ft2