Lead Paint Removal Melbourne
Homes built before 1970 almost certainly contain lead paint. We safely manage lead paint removal through encapsulation or careful wet-removal methods that minimise toxic dust.
Why choose Modernize Solutions?
Dulux specialist
We exclusively use premium Dulux paints, their best interior and exterior coatings. No cheap substitutes, no compromise on product quality.
More than three decades experience
Family-owned since 1987 with over three decades of hands-on residential painting expertise across Melbourne. We have seen and solved every surface challenge.
Never subcontracted
Your home is never handed off to third parties. Our own team of painters completes every project from surface preparation through to the final coat.
Melbourne local
Based in Braybrook and servicing Melbourne's west, inner-north, inner-east and bayside suburbs since 1987. We know every suburb, every surface, every climate challenge.
Lead paint in older homes: what it is, where it hides, the right approach
Lead carbonate was a common white pigment until Australia restricted it in 1970, and some formulations ran into the late 1970s. Homes built before 1970 almost certainly have it somewhere, usually on external joinery, window architraves, doors and skirtings painted over many times. It is stable and low-risk in good condition, but sanding, scraping or water-blasting releases fine particles.
The critical rule is no dry sanding of anything that might contain lead. Dry sanding throws invisible airborne dust. Wet sanding, chemical stripping, or careful scraping with containment sheeting below the work are the right alternatives, with respiratory protection rated for lead rather than a basic dust mask.
Testing is quick. Swab kits give a result in minutes if lead is present above the threshold. Where it is confirmed on surfaces in poor condition, the remediation scope needs planning before prep starts, not discovering halfway through.
Safe lead paint removal
Plaster repair, caulking and surface preparation so the topcoat sits flat.
Common questions
How do I know if my home needs lead paint removal?
If your home was built before 1970, there is a high chance it contains lead-based paint, particularly on exterior surfaces, window frames and doors. Homes built before 1997 may also contain some lead paint. We can advise on testing options and whether lead paint removal is required.
Is lead paint dangerous?
Lead paint in good condition and left undisturbed is generally low risk. The danger arises when lead paint is sanded, scraped or disturbed, creating toxic dust. This is why professional lead paint removal is essential for any renovation or repainting of older homes.
How do you handle lead paint removal?
Depending on the situation, we either encapsulate the lead paint with a specialist coating that seals it safely, or we carefully remove it using wet methods that minimise dust. We follow Australian safety guidelines for lead paint management.
Can you paint over lead paint safely?
Yes, encapsulation is often the safest and most cost-effective approach. We apply a specialist encapsulating primer that seals the lead paint, then topcoat normally. This is safe as long as the existing paint is stable and not flaking.