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Fire & Water Damage Recovery
4.7(
69
)
Toxic Lead - Testing

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1997

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The experience with Justin at Fire & Water Damage Recovery was excellent. They were referred by the plumbing company that serviced my sump pump. We still got 3 estimate, Justin's estimate was in the middle but I felt good with Justin based on our phone conversation and the referral so we went with this company. Justin did tell me that he might have estimated on the high side because he does not like to surprise the homeowners. What a surprise when I go the final invoice. The final invoice came in much lower and was very close or lower than the lowest estimate I got. Justin and his team also took pictures of how the place was before and after for me to see. They even took pictures of the pathway that they took to get to the crawl space to assure me that they kept the place clean when they got in and out. I was very satisified with Justin and his company."
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Recommended by88%of homeowners
Lead Testing and Removal questions, answered by experts

You should ask a few questions to ensure that your potential lead removal professional is experienced and qualified to handle lead-paint abatement safely, legally, and properly.

  • What are your qualifications and experience removing lead-based paint?

  • Are you licensed and certified to remove lead-based paint?

  • How do you test for lead paint?

  • What methods do you use for lead-based paint abatement?

  • What do you plan to do with the hazardous material when you remove it from the home?

  • Do you do replacement and painting work or removal only?

Results from professional lead testing are typically available within a few days to a week (2-7 days), depending on factors like laboratory processing times and the volume of samples being analyzed. Expedited services may also be available for urgent situations.

Lead toxicity comes from inhaling lead or consuming it. Before the 1980s, when the government banned lead from consumer use, it could be found in paint, plumbing, pipes, ceramics, and even gasoline. Lead paint is toxic for the same reason lead itself is toxic, which is why lead poisoning from paint presents the same as lead poisoning from water or food sources, with a slight increase in respiratory symptoms vs. digestive symptoms. Lead paint is most dangerous when it’s old and peeling, cracking, or otherwise disturbed. This increases the concentration in the air and, therefore, in breathable air. 

How you test for lead in your water depends on the source of your home's water supply. If you have municipal water, your local water system may offer to test the water for free or may connect you to a lab that will perform the testing.

If you have a private well that provides drinking water, you are responsible for testing it for lead. Look for a lab that is accredited by your state's Department of Environmental Protection to perform the test.

If the lead paint is in a place that is not easily disturbed and is not flaking or deteriorating, you do not necessarily need to remove it. Lead is toxic when dust particles or flakes from peeling lead paint are ingested. If people are not in the area with the lead paint, it may be safe to leave it in place. You still may want to consider encapsulation with a paint formulated for covering lead-based paint, just for an added layer of protection.

The San Francisco, CA homeowners’ guide to lead testing and removal services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.