A practical, safety-first guide for homeowners, landlords, and property managers across the Treasure Valley
If you live in Boise or the surrounding Treasure Valley, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter older housing stock—especially in established neighborhoods where remodeling is common. Renovations can be exciting, but if your property was built before 1978, disturbing painted surfaces may create lead-contaminated dust that can spread fast and linger. The goal isn’t to panic—it’s to plan. This guide explains what lead hazards look like, when lead abatement makes sense, and the steps that help keep your home safer during repairs and remodels.
Why lead is still a real home hazard
Lead is a toxic metal that can harm adults, and it’s especially dangerous for children because even low exposure can affect development. The CDC states there are no safe levels of lead in the blood. (cdc.gov)
While lead-based paint was banned for consumer use in 1978, it can still be present in millions of older homes. When paint is sanded, scraped, cut, drilled, or demolished, it can create dust and chips that move beyond the work area—into HVAC returns, carpets, and nearby rooms.
When to suspect lead-based paint (common Boise scenarios)
Lead risk isn’t limited to “historic” homes. In Boise, Meridian, Garden City, and older parts of the Treasure Valley, lead-based paint is most likely when:
• The home was built before 1978 (older = higher likelihood).
• You’re replacing windows or doors (friction surfaces create dust).
• You’re sanding/stripping trim, cabinets, or siding.
• You’re remodeling a rental and turning units quickly between tenants.
• A water damage event leads to cutting drywall or removing baseboards in older rooms (repairs can disturb painted surfaces).
EPA guidance emphasizes that renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust in pre-1978 structures. (epa.gov)
Lead abatement vs. lead-safe renovation: what’s the difference?
These terms get mixed up, but they matter—especially when you’re deciding what kind of contractor and scope you need.
| Term | What it usually means | When it’s commonly used |
|---|---|---|
| Lead abatement | Work intended to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards (using regulated methods, specialized containment, clearance testing, and documentation). | After a confirmed lead hazard; during major renovations; in rentals or child-occupied spaces; when long-term risk reduction is the priority. |
| Lead-safe renovation | Renovation practices designed to minimize dust and exposure while doing repairs (containment, HEPA tools, careful cleanup). | Typical remodeling tasks in older homes where paint may be present, even if you’re not doing full abatement. |
EPA’s RRP program requires lead-safe work practices for certain renovation work in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities, performed by certified firms. (epa.gov)
Why standards have gotten stricter (and what that signals for homeowners)
In October 2024, the EPA finalized stronger requirements for identifying and cleaning up lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities, recognizing that lead exposure is unsafe for children. (epa.gov)
Practically, this supports what many health and safety professionals already emphasize: controlling dust is the whole game. If you’re remodeling, don’t treat cleanup as an afterthought—plan for it like it’s a phase of the job, because it is.
Step-by-step: how to reduce lead dust risk during a remodel
1) Confirm whether lead is likely (don’t guess)
If the home is pre-1978, treat painted areas as suspect until tested. EPA consumer guidance recommends determining if lead-based paint is present and considering a certified lead inspector/risk assessor for testing. (epa.gov)
2) Choose the right scope: containment-only vs. abatement
If you’re doing limited repairs (for example, small drywall work), lead-safe containment and meticulous cleaning may be enough. If you’re doing window replacements, heavy sanding, or demolition—especially around children—talk with a qualified professional about whether full lead abatement is the safer long-term path.
3) Set up containment like you mean it
Use heavy plastic barriers, seal doorways, protect floors, and isolate HVAC returns. Keep kids and pets completely out of the work zone. EPA’s lead-safe renovation guidance focuses on setup, minimizing dust, and controlling spread beyond the work area. (epa.gov)
4) Use dust-minimizing methods (and avoid shortcuts)
Wet methods and HEPA-equipped tools reduce airborne dust. Dry sanding and uncontrolled demolition are how contamination spreads to “clean” rooms. If you’re hiring work out, ask what HEPA systems and containment methods will be used before the project starts.
5) Clean like it’s a final inspection—because it should be
HEPA vacuuming, wet wiping, and controlled waste handling are critical. For abatement work, post-work verification and clearance testing help confirm dust levels are reduced to required thresholds (and standards have tightened in recent years). (epa.gov)
Boise-area local angle: remodeling season, older homes, and fast turnarounds
Boise and the broader Treasure Valley continue to see steady remodeling and property improvements—everything from kitchen updates to rental refreshes. The risk is that fast schedules can lead to rushed demo and “just sand it” decisions that create a dust problem you can’t see right away.
If you’re a landlord or property manager in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Garden City, or Eagle, lead-safe planning helps protect tenants and reduces the odds of costly re-cleaning, failed clearances, or cross-contamination into adjacent units. If you’re a homeowner, it helps protect the rooms you’re not renovating—especially bedrooms, nurseries, and HVAC pathways.
Related services & local resources on our site:
Need lead abatement in Boise or the Treasure Valley?
Apex Restoration provides specialized remediation solutions with safety-first procedures and rapid response. If you’re planning renovations in a pre-1978 property—or you’re concerned about lead dust after repairs—schedule a consultation to discuss options and next steps.
FAQ: Lead abatement and lead-safe remodeling
How do I know if my Boise home has lead-based paint?
If your home was built before 1978, lead-based paint is possible. Testing by a qualified professional provides the clearest answer. EPA guidance also notes that if you can’t confirm the home’s age, it’s safest to assume lead may be present and use lead-safe practices. (epa.gov)
Is lead only a concern for kids?
No. Lead can affect adults too, but children are especially vulnerable. The CDC states there are no safe levels of lead in blood, and even low levels are associated with developmental and learning issues. (cdc.gov)
Does painting over lead-based paint solve the problem?
Sometimes encapsulation (sealing) is part of a risk-reduction strategy, but it depends on surface condition and the type of wear that area receives. Friction and impact surfaces (like windows, doors, trim edges) are common dust producers and may need a more durable approach than “paint and forget.”
What remodel projects create the most lead dust?
Window replacement, sanding/scraping, cutting into painted walls, and demolition. EPA notes that sanding, cutting, and demolition in older structures can create lead-based paint hazards through contaminated dust. (epa.gov)
I had water damage—can that connect to lead risk?
Yes. Water damage repairs can require removing baseboards, opening walls, or replacing materials that may be coated in older paint. If the structure is pre-1978, plan repairs with lead-safe containment and cleaning in mind, especially if you’re drying out multiple rooms or running air movers that can move dust.
Glossary
Lead Abatement: A set of regulated methods intended to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, often involving containment, specialized cleanup, and post-work verification/clearance testing.
Lead-Safe Work Practices: Procedures designed to reduce lead dust and debris during renovation—commonly including containment barriers, dust-minimizing techniques, HEPA filtration, and careful cleanup. (epa.gov)
HEPA Vacuum: A vacuum equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter designed to capture very small particles, used to reduce the spread of fine dust during and after work.
Clearance Testing: Post-work dust sampling (often lab-analyzed) used to confirm that dust lead levels meet applicable clearance standards after abatement.
RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) Rule: EPA program requirements that apply to certain renovation activities in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities when painted surfaces are disturbed, including contractor certification and lead-safe practices. (epa.gov)