Lead Paint Testing Oklahoma City
Because 1978 wasn't that long ago.
You're looking at a house built in 1965. Beautiful bones. Original woodwork. And
paint that's older than you are.
Before you sand those window sills or demo that kitchen, you need
to know what's in that paint. Because lead dust is invisible, and the mistakes people make during
renovations can contaminate a home for decades.
I'm Derrick Fredendall. I test paint
for lead. XRF analysis or lab sampling. You get answers — not guesses.
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What You Need to Know About Lead Paint
Lead paint was used in American homes for centuries. It made paint more durable, faster-drying, and moisture-resistant. The problem is what happens when it deteriorates or gets disturbed.
The Basics
Lead was banned in residential paint in 1978. Any home built before that date may contain lead-based paint. The older the home, the higher the probability (homes built before 1950 are nearly certain to have lead paint).
Lead doesn't stay put once it starts breaking down. Chipping, peeling, and chalking create lead dust. Friction surfaces (windows, doors, stairs) generate dust every time they're used. Renovation activities — sanding, scraping, demolition — release massive amounts of invisible lead particles.
Children are most vulnerable. Lead causes irreversible neurological damage. Low-level exposure affects IQ, attention, and behavior. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children — every health authority agrees on this point.
Where Lead Paint Is Found in Oklahoma Homes
Windows & Door Frames
The #1 source of lead dust in most homes. Friction from opening/closing releases particles constantly. Window wells collect lead chips.
Exterior Trim & Siding
Porches, eaves, trim boards. Paint weathers and chalks, contaminating soil around the foundation. Children play in that soil.
Stairs & Railings
High-contact surfaces that experience friction. Stair treads, banisters, and newel posts were often painted with lead-based enamel.
Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets
Original built-ins from pre-1978 construction. Opening/closing doors creates friction dust.
Baseboards & Crown Molding
Often the oldest paint in the house, with multiple layers. Frequently disturbed during renovation work.
Painted Furniture
Older cribs, toy boxes, chairs. Frequently hand-me-downs or antique store finds. The sweet taste of lead paint attracted children.
The Federal Definition: EPA and HUD define lead-based paint as paint containing 1.0 mg/cm² (by XRF) or 0.5% lead by weight (5,000 ppm). This threshold triggers disclosure requirements and renovation restrictions.
What You Get With TrueSight Lead Testing
Professional testing, clear documentation, and straight answers.
XRF or Lab Analysis
XRF gives instant, non-destructive results. Lab analysis for detailed concentration data when needed.
Component-Level Testing
Individual surfaces tested separately — windows, doors, trim, walls. You know exactly what contains lead.
Written Report
Complete documentation of findings. Suitable for real estate transactions, contractor compliance, and records.
Location Mapping
Room-by-room breakdown. Floor plans annotated with positive and negative findings.
Photo Documentation
All tested surfaces photographed for reference and verification.
Consultation Call
I explain findings and options. What can stay. What needs attention. What contractors need to know.
How Lead Testing Works
Simple process, clear results.
Tell me about the property and what's driving the testing — real estate transaction, renovation, or health concerns.
I test each painted component individually. Windows, doors, trim, walls — wherever paint exists. XRF gives results in seconds.
Beyond just presence, I assess paint condition — intact, fair, poor. This determines whether lead paint is an immediate hazard or manageable condition.
Written documentation of all findings, suitable for disclosure, contractor reference, or personal records.
I explain what the results mean and what options exist if lead is found — management, encapsulation, abatement, or renovation restrictions.
Why I Don't Do Lead Abatement
Some companies test for lead and then offer to remove it. That's a conflict of interest.
When the person testing your home has a financial incentive to find problems and sell you solutions, their objectivity is compromised. You can't be sure whether recommendations are based on what your home actually needs or what their revenue model requires.
I don't do abatement. My only job is to find out what's there and tell you the truth.
If lead is present, you have options. Many situations don't require removal at all.
- No incentive to find lead where it doesn't exist
- No pressure to remove what can be safely managed
- No scare tactics, no upselling
- Just data and honest interpretation
The Rules You Need to Know
Lead paint triggers legal requirements. Here's what matters.
EPA's RRP Rule (Renovation, Repair, and Painting)
Since 2010, contractors disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in pre-1978 homes must be EPA-certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Fines for non-compliance can reach $37,500 per day per violation.
Disclosure Requirements
Federal law requires sellers and landlords to:
- Disclose known lead-based paint hazards before sale or lease
- Provide buyers/renters with an EPA pamphlet about lead hazards
- Give buyers 10 days to conduct a lead inspection before becoming obligated
HUD Requirements
Properties receiving federal housing assistance have additional requirements for lead inspection, risk assessment, and hazard control. HUD also prohibits certain removal methods that generate dangerous lead dust.
The bottom line: Testing before renovation isn't just smart — it's often required. And the documentation from a professional inspection protects you legally.
What It Costs
Up to 10 components tested. Written report with documentation.
Per additional surface tested beyond base inspection.
Every painted surface in the home. Comprehensive pre-purchase option.
Service Area: Norman, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Nichols Hills, and surrounding areas. Mileage fee beyond 45 miles.
Lead Situations We See in Oklahoma City
The Historic District Purchase
A Nichols Hills buyer fell in love with a 1928 Tudor. Beautiful, but every window tested positive for lead. Used the report to negotiate window replacement into the contract — seller credited $15,000 at closing.
The Renovation Discovery
An Edmond couple started renovating their 1967 ranch. The contractor asked for lead documentation. Testing showed lead on window trim but not walls — they modified the scope to avoid disturbing windows and saved $4,000 in abatement costs.
The Child's Elevated Blood Lead
A Norman family's toddler tested positive for elevated lead at a pediatrician visit. Testing found lead paint on a window that the child sat near daily. Targeted removal of one window solved the problem.
The Landlord's Due Diligence
A Oklahoma City landlord with a pre-1960 rental needed documentation for HUD compliance. Full-home survey identified lead locations and conditions, allowing management in place rather than costly abatement.
Who's Testing Your Home
Derrick Fredendall — TrueSight Environmental
Know What You're Dealing With
Testing costs less than the problems it prevents.