Do older Windsor Park homes have lead paint that needs special handling?

Pre-1960 homes in Windsor Park may contain lead-based paint on interior trim, window frames, doors, baseboards, and exterior surfaces. Lead paint was standard in Canadian residential construction from the early 1900s through the late 1970s, with the highest lead concentrations found in homes built before 1950. Given that many Windsor Park properties date to the 1910s through 1950s, iPaint Painting treats lead assessment as a standard step in every pre-1960 project in this neighbourhood.

Where Lead Paint Is Most Commonly Found

In Windsor Park heritage homes, lead paint is most likely present on surfaces that were painted with high-gloss, oil-based enamels during original construction or early renovations. The most common locations include:

• Interior window frames and sills: These high-friction surfaces were painted with durable lead-based enamel to resist wear. Opening and closing windows over decades creates lead dust that settles on sills and floors.
• Interior door frames and doors: Original solid wood doors and casings in Windsor Park's 1920s and 1930s homes frequently test positive for lead at concentrations above 5,000 parts per million (ppm), well above Health Canada's threshold of 90 ppm.
• Exterior clapboard siding: Multiple layers of lead-based primer and topcoats were applied to protect wood siding from Edmonton's extreme temperature range of minus 35 to plus 30 degrees Celsius.
• Decorative trim and crown moulding: Original millwork profiles trap lead paint in grooves and crevices where simple scraping is insufficient for safe removal.

iPaint Painting's Lead-Safe Work Practices

iPaint Painting follows Health Canada and Alberta Environment guidelines for lead paint handling on every Windsor Park heritage project. The process includes four critical steps:

1. XRF testing: A portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer tests suspect surfaces in under 30 seconds per spot, providing immediate lead concentration readings. Full-home testing costs $200 to $400 depending on the number of surfaces tested.
2. Containment: Work areas are sealed with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting taped to walls and floors. Doorways are fitted with zippered barriers to prevent dust migration to other rooms.
3. HEPA equipment: All sanding and scraping uses HEPA-filtered vacuum attachments that capture particles down to 0.3 microns. Workers wear P100 respirators throughout lead-disturbing activities.
4. Wet methods: Surfaces are misted with water before scraping or sanding to suppress airborne lead dust. All waste (paint chips, dust, sheeting) is double-bagged in 6-mil bags and disposed of according to Alberta's hazardous waste regulations.

Encapsulation as an Alternative

When lead paint is in good condition (not peeling, flaking, or chalking), iPaint Painting may recommend encapsulation rather than full removal. A high-build encapsulant coating seals the lead paint beneath a durable, flexible membrane. This approach costs approximately 40 to 60 percent less than full removal while still providing a safe, paintable surface. iPaint Painting documents all lead findings and remediation methods for your records.

Concerned about lead paint in your Windsor Park home? Request a free estimate from iPaint Painting or call 780-938-9555 to schedule an assessment.