Families with young children
Reduce lead exposure risk in the rooms and outdoor areas children use most.
Older Australian homes were often painted with lead-based paint that becomes dangerous once it flakes, chalks or is disturbed during renovation. Delta Environmental tests, safely removes and manages lead paint risk so your family stays protected.
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Also searched for as lead paint stripping, lead abatement or lead dust removal, lead was a common ingredient in Australian house paints for most of the twentieth century, with lead content only progressively reduced from the 1960s and standards continuing to tighten through to the 1990s. As a rough guide, the older the home, the higher the likelihood that at least some layers of paint, particularly on skirting boards, window frames, eaves and fascias, contain lead. Intact, well-sealed lead paint is generally low risk, but sanding, scraping, heat-stripping or demolishing painted surfaces can release fine lead dust that is easily inhaled or ingested, especially by young children and pregnant women.
Delta Environmental provides lead paint testing and safe removal for homeowners, renovators and landlords across Australia. We assess which surfaces are affected, contain the work area to stop dust spreading through the home, and use wet-removal and vacuum-extraction methods rather than uncontrolled dry sanding, which is one of the most common causes of dangerous lead exposure during DIY renovations.
Our approach is informed by Australian Standard AS 4361, which sets out recommended practices for managing lead paint in residential premises, and we tailor the scope of work to whether you simply need the paint safely encapsulated or fully removed ahead of a renovation.
We also work closely with painters and renovation trades, so lead paint testing and removal is scheduled as an early step in your project rather than a surprise that halts work once painting or demolition has already begun.
Lead paint is most often found in these situations across older Australian housing stock.
We identify which painted surfaces contain lead.
The work area is sealed to stop dust spreading through the home.
We use wet-scraping and vacuum extraction, never uncontrolled dry sanding.
Thorough HEPA vacuuming and wet-wiping follow every removal.
Lead paint waste is bagged and disposed of in line with local requirements.
Using test kits and, where needed, laboratory analysis, we determine which layers of paint on which surfaces contain lead, so work is targeted rather than guesswork.
Uncontrolled dry sanding is one of the biggest causes of dangerous lead exposure during renovations. We never use it.
Full containment protects the rest of your household, particularly important for homes with young children.
Our approach reflects the practices set out in Australian Standard AS 4361 for managing lead paint in residential premises.
We leave surfaces properly prepared and cleared of dust so your painter or renovation can proceed straight away.
Young children absorb lead more readily than adults and are more likely to put paint chips or dust-covered hands in their mouths. If your home was built before the 1970s and children live there, testing before any renovation work is strongly recommended.
Booking lead paint removal with an unfamiliar company can feel like a leap of faith, so we keep our side of the arrangement simple and transparent. You get a clear, itemised scope of works before anything begins, a fixed appointment window rather than a vague all-day slot, and a single point of contact for the life of the job rather than being passed between call centres.
If a job turns out to be larger or more complex once work is underway, we explain why, put any change in writing, and get your sign-off before proceeding. There are no surprise line items on the final invoice.
We quote based on what your property actually needs, not a one-size-fits-all package. If a lighter touch will do the job safely, that is what we will recommend.
There is no single nationwide law banning all lead paint removal methods, but Australian Standard AS 4361.2 sets out recommended practices for managing lead paint in residential and commercial premises, and Safe Work Australia's model Work Health and Safety laws apply to anyone carrying out the work as part of a business, including contractors and renovators.
State and territory work health and safety regulators, including SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, WorkSafe WA, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe ACT, WorkSafe Tasmania and NT WorkSafe, can also apply exposure standards where lead paint work is carried out commercially. We follow the strictest applicable guidance for your property's location.
For rental properties, several state tenancy frameworks also expect landlords to maintain premises in a reasonable state of repair, and flaking or deteriorating lead paint can fall within that obligation, which is another reason many property managers now test proactively rather than waiting for a complaint.
Not every lead paint job needs full removal. If the paint is intact and in good condition, sealing it under a compliant new coating can be a safer, lower-disruption option than stripping it back. We will advise which approach suits your situation.
Lead paint work is priced around the extent of testing and removal required.
Area and surfaces affected. A single window frame costs far less to treat than full exterior weatherboards or an entire home's trim.
Removal vs encapsulation. Full removal takes longer and costs more than sealing intact paint under a compliant coating system.
Number of paint layers. Older homes with many historical paint layers can take longer to safely strip back.
Access and containment needs. Two-storey exteriors or heritage detailing may require more extensive containment and scaffolding.
Reduce lead exposure risk in the rooms and outdoor areas children use most.
Test and clear lead paint before sanding, stripping or demolition begins.
Careful, standards-informed removal that respects original period detailing where possible.
Manage lead paint risk in older rental stock ahead of new tenancies.
Delta Environmental provides lead paint testing and removal across Australia's older housing stock, state to state.
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The best indicator is age: homes built or last painted before the 1970s are most likely to contain lead paint, with risk decreasing progressively through to the 1990s. A simple test kit or laboratory sample can confirm it before you start any renovation work.
Intact, well-sealed lead paint in good condition is generally low risk. The danger comes from disturbing it through sanding, scraping, heat-stripping or demolition, which releases fine lead dust into the air.
This is not recommended. Dry sanding lead paint is one of the most common causes of serious household lead exposure. If you suspect lead paint, use wet methods or a HEPA-filtered vacuum sander, or engage a professional.
Not always. If the paint is intact and in good condition, encapsulating it under a compliant new coating can be a safer, less disruptive option than full removal. We assess each surface and recommend accordingly.
A single window frame or small area can often be completed in a day. Full exterior removals on larger or heritage homes may take several days depending on the number of paint layers and surfaces involved.
There is no blanket national requirement to test for lead paint before selling, though some buyers and building inspectors request it for older homes. We can arrange testing to support a sale or pre-purchase inspection.
It varies. Exterior trim, window frames and older kitchens and bathrooms are common hotspots because they were repainted less often, while rooms repainted more recently may have newer, lead-free coatings over older layers. Testing room by room gives a clear picture rather than assuming the whole house is affected.
Lead paint chips, sanding dust and contaminated rags should not go into general household rubbish or be swept into garden beds. If you have already started DIY work and suspect lead paint, stop, contain the area, and contact us for advice on safe cleanup and disposal.
If the paint is intact and in good condition, the safest option is often to leave it undisturbed or have it sealed under a compliant coating rather than removed. If removal is needed, wet-scraping or a HEPA-filtered vacuum sander should be used instead of dry sanding, which is one of the most common causes of dangerous household lead exposure. Given the health risks to children in particular, many homeowners choose to have this done professionally rather than attempt it themselves.
Cost depends on how many surfaces are affected, how many layers of paint need to be removed, and whether full removal or encapsulation is the right approach for your property. A single window frame costs considerably less than full exterior weatherboards. We provide a free quote after assessing the affected surfaces.