Lets Talk Lead In Baltimore

[Errol St Marthe]

So I'm looking at a property in east Baltimore sold as is, the property was rehabbed but my real estate agent is concerned about lead inspection, she has never worked in Baltimore, all her experience is PG county so she is concerned talking about how expensive it could get. Can you guys with the experience shed some light on this please.

[Ned Carey]

@Errol St Marthe if the property was substantially rehabbed there is probably little lead left if any. Dangers of lead paint were known long ago. Houses in Baltimore built after about 1945 tend to have little lead.

Lead paint was more durable so it was usually used on trim, door frames and windows. If the property has original very old looking trim it is probably lead paint. If the doors and door frames are new than that is probably not lead. 

Neil Roseman of LeadProbe is great guy to call. His team uses an XRF gun which will detect lead paint under many layers of newer paint. They will be able to tell exactly where the lead paint is and what has to be done to correct it.