Lead testing

I spent a good deal of time this week researching lead testing. I found out I had to get a lead test before I could get a permit to sandblast (yet another setback that could have been avoided if the city were more willing to put things in writing). I spent many hours this week (more than 12) researching lead paint testing and making calls. It pays to call around! The fees varied from $18 per sample (I need 9) to about $100 a sample for the same service! I ended up finding a place that does the test using an x-ray machine and can give verbal results on the spot. This saves me chipping the samples or paying their tester to do it.

The tester came out this morning, and I was very pleased when the test came out well below any the threshold for lead. I just have to wait for the results in writing and then I can get the permit. At this point, it isn't holding the contractor up but I want that permit in hand and ready to go.