Lead Inspection & Clearance Testing in Baltimore
Find out where lead is, and confirm a work area is clean afterward.
A lead inspection looks for lead-based paint and lead hazards in a home. A clearance test happens after repair, renovation or cleanup work and checks that the work area meets the standard, usually by collecting dust samples and sending them to a lab. In Maryland, these services are tied to accreditation, so who does the testing matters.
Landlords often need an inspection for a rental unit, and homeowners ask for one before buying, before a renovation, or when a young child lives in the home. Lead paint inspection and lead dust clearance are not the same thing, so it helps to say which one you need when you ask for help.
Independence is worth asking about. Many people prefer that the person who tests the home is not the same one who did the repair work. We connect you with local lead pros and you decide who to hire.
Questions to ask a pro
- Are you MDE-accredited as an inspector, and can I see your accreditation?
- Is this a full inspection, a risk assessment, or a clearance test, and what will the report tell me?
- Which lab analyzes the dust samples?
- How long until I receive the written report?
- If the clearance test does not pass, what happens next?
Common questions
What is a clearance test?
It is a test done after lead-related work, usually dust wipe samples, to check that the area is clean enough to use again.
Do I need an inspection to buy an older home?
It is not something we can require or advise legally, but many buyers of pre-1978 homes ask for one. Talk with your agent or attorney about timing.
Will an inspector tell me how to fix problems?
Reports typically describe what was found and where. Repair methods are usually decided with the contractor who does the work.
Where we connect you
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Towson, Dundalk, Catonsville, Essex, Glen Burnie, Columbia.