"He cut a hole in the sheetrock which I do not believe was necessary and now has to be repaired. If I decided not to buy the house based on his findings I would be responsible for this repair. Not cool."
Lead Testing and Removal questions, answered by experts
Testing typically costs between $200 and $600, depending on the number of samples and laboratory analysis.
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.
Determining if your water main contains lead involves a few steps. First, check the age of your property, as homes built before the 1980s might have lead pipes. Contact your water utility company for information on your service line material. Then, you can hire a professional plumber to conduct an inspection or use a lead testing kit to analyze water from the main line.
Costs depend on the number of samples, testing method, lab fees, and whether on-site inspections are required.
According to the EPA, there is no safe level of lead in the blood, and so the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for lead in water is zero. Even at low levels, lead is harmful to human health. It can also remain in the body and build up over time with repeated exposure.
The Fort Sumner, NM 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.
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