Lead Paint in Pre-1978 Homes: What North Carolina Homeowners Need to Know Before Painting
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint under later coats, and the hazard is the dust and chips created when that paint is scraped, sanded or demolished. Census estimates put about 18% of Matthews homes, and about a quarter of homes across Mecklenburg County, as built before 1980.
Who the Rules Cover
The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule covers paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. North Carolina runs its own program through the NC DHHS Health Hazards Control Unit, which certifies renovation firms and individual renovators. A certified firm, with a certified renovator overseeing the work, must do the job.
The Minor Repair Exception
Disturbing less than 6 square feet of painted surface per room inside, or 20 square feet outside, is treated as minor repair and maintenance, except for window replacement and demolition. Exterior repaints with scraping almost always exceed that.
What Lead-Safe Work Looks Like
- Plastic sheeting and containment where paint is disturbed
- Warning signs and keeping occupants away from the work area
- No open-flame burning, high-temperature heat guns or uncontrolled power sanding
- Misting while scraping, HEPA vacuums, wet wiping
- A cleaning check at the end
Testing
A certified lead inspector or risk assessor can test paint. Without testing, certified firms assume lead is present in pre-1978 homes.
Before Work Starts
Firms must give occupants the EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet before work on pre-1978 housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my 1985 house have lead paint?
Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, so homes built later are much less likely to have it.
Can I paint over lead paint?
Painting over intact lead paint without disturbing it is generally not the hazard; scraping and sanding are.
How do I check a firm's certification?
Use the NC DHHS certified firm search, or call the Health Hazards Control Unit.
Does this apply in South Carolina?
The federal EPA rule applies; South Carolina work is certified through EPA.
Pre-1978 Home?
We use lead-safe practices on older homes and explain the setup in the estimate. See exterior painting or North Carolina painting laws.