Do old homes in Strathcona have lead paint concerns?

Yes, homes in Old Strathcona built before 1960 may contain lead-based paint on exterior siding, window frames, door trim, and interior mouldings. Health Canada banned lead in residential paint in 1976, but homes constructed in the early 1900s through the 1950s often have multiple layers of lead-containing coatings buried under newer paint. iPaint Painting assesses every pre-1960s home for lead during the free estimate and follows Health Canada's safe work guidelines on every project where lead is present.

Where Lead Paint Is Most Commonly Found

In Old Strathcona's character homes, lead paint concentrations are typically highest on surfaces that were originally painted with high-gloss or semi-gloss finishes. These include:

• Exterior wood siding and clapboard: Original oil-based exterior paints from the 1910s through 1950s frequently contained 5 to 50 percent lead by weight, according to Health Canada research.
• Window sashes and frames: These high-friction surfaces generate lead dust every time windows are opened or closed, making them a primary concern for family homes.
• Interior trim, baseboards, and doors: Hard-wearing trim paints were heavily leaded for durability. A single 1920s-era door can have 8 to 12 layers of paint, with the bottom 3 to 5 layers containing lead.
• Porch floors and railings: Exterior porch paint was formulated for heavy wear and typically had high lead content.

How iPaint Painting Handles Lead Paint Safely

iPaint Painting follows a strict lead-safe protocol on every pre-1960s Old Strathcona project. The process begins with testing using either XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzers for instant results or EPA-recognized chemical swab test kits. When lead is confirmed, the work area is prepared with containment measures:

• Plastic sheeting (6 mil minimum) covers the ground within 3 metres of the work zone to catch all debris.
• HEPA-filtered sanders and vacuum systems capture 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 microns, preventing lead dust from becoming airborne.
• Wet scraping techniques suppress dust during hand preparation of detailed trim and window casings.
• Sealed waste disposal in compliance with Alberta's hazardous waste regulations. All lead-containing debris is bagged, labelled, and transported to approved facilities.

Cost and Timeline for Lead-Safe Work

Lead abatement adds approximately $1,500 to $4,000 to a typical Old Strathcona exterior paint project, depending on the area of lead-positive surfaces and the number of paint layers requiring removal. The added time is typically 1 to 3 extra days. iPaint Painting includes all lead-safe costs in the written estimate with no surprises.

Concerned about lead paint in your Old Strathcona home? Request a free estimate from iPaint Painting or call 780-938-9555. We test before we start, every time.