Older Edmonton houses are full of character, and often full of layers of paint, some of which may contain lead. It isn’t a reason to avoid painting. It’s a reason to prepare carefully.
- Houses before 1960 probably contain lead paint
- 1960 to 1990: exterior and some interior paint may
- Intact paint is not the main risk
- Sanding and scraping create the hazard
- Tell your painter the year your house was built
What Health Canada says
According to Health Canada, your home probably contains lead-based paint if it was built before 1960. If it was built between 1960 and 1990, the exterior may contain lead-based paint, and interior paint may have it in smaller amounts that could still be harmful, especially to young children. Houses built after 1990 should not contain lead.
Where the risk really is
Lead is a hazard when paint is chipping, flaking or within reach of children who might chew on it, and when it’s disturbed. Sanding, scraping, chipping and demolition create dust and chips that can get into the body. Intact paint that’s left alone is much less of a worry.
What this means for painting
Good preparation in an older house takes more care than in a newer one. Dust is controlled, surfaces are cleaned, and aggressive sanding of old paint is avoided or handled with the right precautions. Tell your painter the year your house was built so they can plan before anything is disturbed.
Should I test?
If you’re unsure, or you plan major work such as stripping or removing paint, ask a qualified professional about testing. Health Canada’s guidance also notes it’s not always in your best interest to remove lead paint, since removal itself can create a hazard.
Related older-home issues
Older houses can have other things worth knowing about, such as asbestos in some textured ceilings. Read our guides on asbestos testing for textured ceilings and painting a house built before 1960.
Quick questions
Is it safe to live in a house with lead paint?
Intact lead paint that’s left alone is generally less of a concern. Peeling or chipping paint, and renovation dust, are the main risks, especially for young children and pregnant women.
Can I paint over lead paint?
Painting over intact paint is often a safe way to seal it, but surfaces need careful preparation. Ask your painter how they’d approach it.
Living in an older home? Tell us the year it was built, and we’ll plan the prep before anything is disturbed.
