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Summer Painting Maintenance and Lead Paint Testing for Pre-1978 Homes

Summer is the ideal time for home maintenance projects, especially exterior painting. The warmer, drier weather creates the perfect conditions for paint to cure properly and for homeowners to tackle overdue improvements. However, if your home was built before 1978, you should take special precautions before scraping, sanding, or repainting. That’s because many homes constructed before this time were painted with lead-based paint—a serious health hazard if disturbed.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the importance of summer paint maintenance and why lead paint testing should be your first step before lifting a paintbrush.


Why Summer Is Prime Time for Exterior Painting

Warm, dry conditions make summer the best season for:

  • Paint adhesion and durability – Paint sticks best when applied in temperatures between 50–85°F with low humidity.

  • Efficient drying and curing – Summer sun helps paints dry faster, reducing the risk of bubbles, cracking, or peeling.

  • Surface preparation – Scraping, washing, and priming surfaces is easier and more effective when the weather is dry.

Routine summer paint maintenance helps protect your home from:

  • Moisture damage

  • Wood rot

  • UV degradation

  • Fading or chipping paint

  • Mold and mildew buildup

But if your home predates 1978, you can't just dive in. First, check for lead paint.


Lead-Based Paint: A Hidden Risk in Older Homes

The U.S. banned the residential use of lead-based paint in 1978. But homes built before then—especially those from the 1940s–1970s—may still have layers of lead paint beneath newer coats. If this paint is disturbed, it can release toxic dust and chips into your home environment.

Health effects of lead exposure include:

  • Brain and nervous system damage (especially in children)

  • Developmental delays and learning issues

  • High blood pressure and kidney problems in adults

  • Reproductive issues and miscarriage risks

That’s why federal law requires lead-safe practices during renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) in homes built before 1978.


Step 1: Get a Lead Paint Test

Before beginning any painting or surface preparation, test for lead paint. Call us to schedule your XRF lead paint test today.