Lead paint and old plaster: working carefully

Short answer: in homes built before about 1960, the oldest layer of paint on window frames, doors, stairs, skirting boards and exterior woodwork may contain lead. Orange red lead primer on steel beams and railings often contains lead as well. As long as that paint is intact, there is little to worry about. It only becomes dangerous when you turn the paint into dust or fumes: by dry sanding, blasting or burning it off. So work wet, keep dust to a minimum and protect yourself and the people you live with.

👷 Calling in a professional is never unnecessary. A painter or remediation company can have the paint tested for lead beforehand, works with the right extraction and protective equipment and disposes of the waste correctly. With large surfaces, or with children or a pregnant woman in the house, that is the wisest choice.

Why is lead in paint a risk?

Lead builds up in the body. You take it in by breathing fine dust or by getting dust from your hands into your mouth. Young children and unborn babies are the most vulnerable: they absorb lead more easily and their brains are still developing. The dust settles in floor gaps, on windowsills and in clothing, and travels home with you.

Where is lead paint usually found?

• Wooden window frames and windows, especially the bottom layers under later paint.
• Interior doors, door frames, banisters and skirting boards in older homes.
• Red lead primer on steel beams, radiators, railings and metal window frames.
• Old plaster with one or more coats of paint, where that paint is sanded off with it.

Not sure? Treat the paint as if it contains lead, or have a sample tested by a specialist company.

How do you tackle it?

1. Leave intact paint in place. Paint that adheres well can be lightly wet sanded and painted over. That seals in the old layer. Read how to paint a door neatly in our blog on painting a door.
2. Make the room dust-tight. Lay masking film on the floor, tape the edges with professional masking tape and remove furniture and toys. Close the door to the rest of the house.
3. Wet the surface. Mist the paint lightly with water from a 12-litre bucket and a sponge. Wet dust does not fly.
4. Scrape away loose paint with a paint scraper or a multifunctional scraper. A putty knife with aluminium blade works on flat areas; on a floor, use a floor scraper.
5. Only sand wet. Use a roll of grit 120 abrasive paper with water and work by hand. Do not use a power sander without extraction.
6. Hot air only with care. A heat gun on the lowest setting that works, kept moving, can soften paint so that you can scrape it off. The paint must never burn, blister violently or smoke. Never burn paint off with an open flame.
7. Clean up wet. Do not sweep dry; pick up dust and scrapings wet. Put the waste in 60-litre rubble bags or 120-litre rubble bags and close them properly. Only use a construction vacuum cleaner if it is suitable for fine, hazardous dust.

âš ï¸ Dry sanding, blasting, grinding and burning off old paint are out of the question. They release a lot of fine lead dust or lead fumes that you cannot see or smell.

💡 Work in short sessions and clean up in between. What you pick up straight away does not spread through the house.

Old plaster with layers of paint

Old plaster itself usually contains no lead, but the paint on it sometimes does. If you need to repair or chip off old plaster, wet it first and wear an FFP3 mask. If you then want the wall replastered, read our blog on repairing plaster.

Working safely

Wear a well-fitting FFP3 dust mask; a simple dust mask does not protect against lead dust. Wear work gloves with nitrile coating, safety goggles and a disposable coverall, and take them off before leaving the work area. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the work area and wash your hands and face after work. Keep children, pregnant women and pets away while work is going on. Read more about working safely on the construction site in our blog on safe working on the construction site, and which glove suits which job in our buying guide for work gloves.

How do I know whether my paint contains lead?

You only know for certain with a test by a specialist company or laboratory. If the house was built before 1960 and the paint has never been completely removed, assume to be safe that the bottom layer may contain lead.

Can I paint over lead paint?

Yes, if the paint adheres well. Painting over it is often the safest solution, because you create no dust. Sand lightly and wet, degrease and paint.

What do I do with the waste?

Pack it tightly closed and ask your local council how to dispose of it. Do not put it in normal household waste if it contains a lot of paint residue.

Old paint does not have to be a problem. Leave sound paint in place, work wet when you have to scrape and call in a professional when in doubt.

Read also: Safe working on the construction site: tips & PPE

Read also: Repairing plaster: fixing cracks and holes

Read also: How to paint a door: step-by-step DIY guide

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.