Lead Paint Removal & Testing
Professional lead paint testing, risk assessment and removal for residential, commercial and industrial properties across Brisbane, Gold Coast and SEQ. Lead-based paint was widely used until the mid-1970s — any property built before 1970 has a high likelihood of containing it.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin
Exposure through ingestion of paint chips, inhalation of dust during sanding or demolition, or soil contamination from deteriorating exterior paint poses serious health risks — particularly to children under six and pregnant women.
Lead paint that is intact and in good condition may be manageable in place, but deteriorating, damaged or about-to-be-disturbed lead paint must be treated by a professional.
When lead paint must be managed
Before renovation
Sanding, grinding, cutting or demolishing surfaces with lead paint generates hazardous dust. Assessment and controlled management is required before this work proceeds.
Deteriorating paint & child health
Flaking, chipping or chalking lead paint poses an ingestion and soil contamination risk — a priority where young children are present.
Before demolition & commercial repaints
Lead paint must be identified and managed prior to demolition, and heavy coatings on structural steel need managed removal before repainting.
Testing, assessment, then the right approach
Not all lead paint requires removal — we recommend the appropriate management approach for your situation.
Testing
We use XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysers for non-destructive in-situ testing, or collect samples for laboratory analysis, identifying the location, extent and approximate lead loading across the building.
Risk assessment
We assess the condition of the paint and the likelihood and pathway of exposure, then recommend the appropriate approach.
Encapsulation or enclosure
Where the substrate is stable and disturbance unlikely, a specialised encapsulant coating over intact paint, or enclosure with new cladding or lining.
Full removal under containment
Where paint is deteriorating or the surface will be disturbed — chemical stripping, mechanical removal or wet-sanding under containment, using wet methods to suppress dust and appropriate PPE.
Licensed disposal
All lead paint waste is collected, bagged and disposed of at a licensed facility.
Weatherboard Queenslanders & post-war fibro
Homes in Nundah, Lutwyche, Wooloowin, Moorooka and Wynnum frequently have multiple layers of lead paint on timber surfaces.
- Multiple lead paint layers on timber surfaces
- Exterior paint deteriorating into surrounding soil
- Lead soil contamination as an additional consideration
- XRF and laboratory testing to confirm extent
- Encapsulation where removal isn’t warranted
- Full containment where surfaces will be disturbed
Lead paint questions
Homes built before 1970 very likely contain lead paint on at least some surfaces. Testing is the only reliable way to confirm its presence and extent. We offer XRF testing and sample analysis across Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Intact, well-adhered lead paint covered by newer layers is generally lower risk provided it is not being disturbed. However, any sanding, grinding or cutting — even of covered lead paint — can release lead dust. Assessment before renovation is strongly recommended.
Homeowners may attempt small-scale removal, but dry sanding and heat stripping of lead paint creates serious dust hazards and is strongly discouraged. For any significant quantities, or where children or pregnant women are present, professional removal is recommended.
Where exterior lead paint has been depositing onto soil for many years, the surrounding garden beds and ground surface may be contaminated. We assess and can manage lead soil contamination in conjunction with removal works.
One licensed team for the whole property
We manage the related work below in-house — so you don’t need to engage a second contractor.
Arrange lead paint testing
XRF testing, risk assessment and safe removal or encapsulation across Brisbane, Gold Coast and SEQ.