Lead-based paint inspections in Milwaukee, WI
For homes built before 1978 and renovation projects that disturb older paint, Homesight provides certified lead testing and lab-analyzed sampling, documented in a next-day report.
Lead was used widely in American homes until the federal government banned it in residential paint in 1978. Many Wisconsin homes built before that date still stand today, and in these older properties, lead-based paint can hide on interior drywall, exterior siding, window sills, and doors. Because lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women, accurate testing before buying or renovating a pre-1978 home is crucial.
Homesight offers two specific types of lead evaluations to fit your needs: Targeted Lead Testing for renovation and demolition projects, and Full-Home Lead Clearance Inspections for families concerned about the presence of lead anywhere in the home. Both services use physical or wipe sampling sent to a certified laboratory, with findings documented in a next-day report following our standard second-level review.
When it comes to a potential safety hazard like lead-based paint or lead dust, do not rely on unverified DIY swabs. Homesight has the experience, certification, and equipment to handle hazardous environmental testing accurately. Testing is our scope only; if lead is found and remediation is needed, we document the findings clearly so a qualified abatement contractor has a precise scope to work from.
Two service types, precise lab-analyzed results
Homesight tailors the testing approach to your situation, whether you are targeting a specific renovation component or assessing the whole home.
Targeted lead testing
Designed for renovation and demolition projects. We collect 1 to 2 physical paint chip or scraping samples from the specific component you plan to alter, such as a wall section, old windows, or baseboards, and send them to a lab for analysis before work begins.
Full-home lead clearance
Recommended for "target housing" (pre-1978 homes regularly occupied by children under six) and required after lead remediation work. Our inspector selects 8 areas of the home and collects wipe samples from each, which are sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.
Window sashes & sills
High-friction surfaces where daily use grinds painted surfaces together and creates lead dust. Window sashes, sills, and wells are among the most common locations for ongoing lead exposure in older homes.
Doors, frames & trim
Doors, door frames, jambs, baseboards, and molding are frequent locations for lead-based paint, particularly in homes built before the 1960s. Friction from daily use can release lead dust over time.
Exterior siding & porches
Lead paint was widely applied to exterior wood siding, porch floors, and painted railings. Peeling or chalking exterior paint on pre-1978 homes is a common source of lead dust and chips in the soil around a home.
Lab analysis & documented results
All samples go to a certified laboratory. If any wipe sample returns positive for lead, it identifies a hazard. Findings are documented in our standard next-day report after a second-level review, giving you a clear, written record for purchase negotiations or abatement planning.
What comes with every inspection
Rapid Report Delivery
Our organized, easy-to-understand reports are delivered the next day. No more waiting around for the inspection report to arrive!
200% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not completely satisfied at the end of your home inspection, we won't charge you AND we will cover the cost for another Licensed Home Inspector of your choice to re-inspect the property.
Inspection Protection
If the house that we inspect doesn't work out, we'll take $100 off if you find a second house within 30 days! (Must use same realtor.)
Free Moving Concierge
Homesight, Inc offers a moving assistant with every inspection. They'll help you with things like booking movers, installing appliances, lawn care, or furniture assembly.
Complimentary Warranty Package
A 6-month warranty plus 6-month water and septic, mold, radon, and WDO coverage, and a 5-year extended roof coverage.
Lead-based paint inspection FAQ
Which homes need a lead-based paint inspection?
Homes built before 1978, when the federal government banned lead-based paint for residential use, are the ones to test. The older the home, the more likely lead paint is present. Wisconsin has a large stock of older housing, particularly in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and surrounding counties, making this a common concern for buyers and renovators here.
What is the difference between targeted testing and a clearance inspection?
Targeted lead testing focuses on a specific component you plan to renovate or demolish, such as a wall section, windows, or baseboards. We collect 1 to 2 samples from that component for lab analysis before the work begins. A full-home lead clearance inspection covers the entire home, with our inspector selecting 8 areas and collecting wipe samples from each, making it the right choice when you want to understand the overall lead picture in a pre-1978 home.
How are samples collected, and does it damage the surface?
For targeted testing, we typically remove a small paint chip or scraping from the component of concern. This causes minor, localized damage to the paint or wall surface. For clearance inspections, wipe samples are collected using a specialized cloth over a measured area, which is non-destructive. If a window sill does not have enough surface for a chip, our inspector may carefully scrape to collect enough material, or collect dust from the sill.
Does Homesight remove or remediate lead paint?
No. Homesight performs testing and sampling only. Lead paint removal and abatement are handled by a separate qualified contractor. Keeping testing independent of removal means your results are objective and give the abatement contractor a precise scope to work from.
Should I get a lead test when buying an older Milwaukee home?
If the home was built before 1978, especially if children will live there, a lead test is a sound step. You receive a documented record of which surfaces contain lead, a valuable fact to weigh during purchase negotiations and a reference for any future renovation work.
Can lead testing be added to a full home inspection?
Yes. Lead testing is commonly paired with a full home inspection on pre-1978 properties, and it can be combined with asbestos testing for a more complete environmental picture of an older home. If you are buying, the testing must be written into your Wisconsin offer to purchase as its own contingency, because the standard inspection contingency does not authorize taking samples. Once it is in the offer, we will coordinate both services in a single visit when possible.
Book your lead-based paint inspection.
Schedule online or call the 24-hour line. Certified testing, lab-analyzed results, next-day report, and a 200% Satisfaction Guarantee on every inspection.