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Milledge Construction
5.0(
9
)

Serving Shellsburg, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"Excellent. No problems and the work was very efficient and quick. They were in and out in just a couple hours and left no trace of a mess what so ever. Very pleased with the overall installation"
Radon mitigation system
Radon Detection & Reduction Project
Radon Detection & Reduction Project
Radon Detection & Reduction Project
Radon Detection & Reduction Project

+56

Response time1 day
43 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Lead Testing and Removal questions, answered by experts

No. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover any kind of lead remediation, focusing instead on sudden, unpreventable events like fires and theft. Many insurance companies will specifically exclude lead paint removal, since it tends to be an expensive and unavoidable project. The exception is if the lead surface is damaged during a covered event (like a flood) and homeowners insurance pays its replacement.

While the EPA provides guidelines for homeowners to perform DIY lead paint removal, it is a risky process and generally not recommended due to serious health risks and strict regulatory requirements. The process requires precise safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator and protective eyeglasses, creating sealed exits, and using a HEPA vacuum for cleanup. To ensure the job is done safely, effectively, and in compliance with regulations, it is highly recommended to hire a professional lead abatement company. Certified professionals have the necessary training, experience, and specialized equipment (like chemical strippers and HEPA vacuums) to handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely.

Government regulations such as the EPA and OSHA govern lead removal procedures to ensure health and environmental safety during and after abatement.

Professional testing for lead paint costs about $300, ranging from about $250 to $700, depending on the square footage, accessibility, and location. However, testing for lead paint with a DIY home-testing kit costs about $25, but doesn’t guarantee accurate results. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a lead test kit that complies with the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, which has strict criteria for ensuring a more accurate reading.

Common home surfaces to test for lead include:

  • Walls

  • Windows

  • Doors

  • Molding and trim

  • Railings

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. 

The Shellsburg, IA 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.