The moment you notice the dust

You wipe a gray film from the windowsill. Your child still puts fingers in their mouth. If your home was built before 1978, that dust can carry lead. It doesn’t smell. You cannot see it. Yet it can damage a child’s brain and body. This is why choosing a lead abatement contractor NYC is not a luxury. It is protection.

What lead does to kids

Lead targets growing bodies first. Small amounts affect learning, focus, sleep, and mood. Higher exposure raises the risk of anemia, hearing issues, and long-term developmental delays. There is no safe level. Waiting is the risk.

Where lead hides in NYC homes

Paint on old wood windows, doors, trim, railings, and stairs. Anywhere parts rub. Every open-and-close creates dust. Fresh renovations can make it worse if sanding or scraping happened without controls. Apartments, brownstones, co-ops—age matters more than price or location.

Quick home check you can do today

Look for peeling or chipping paint on sills, frames, doors, and stairs.
Feel for sticky windows. Friction points shed dust.
Check floors near windows. A dull gray film is a warning sign.
Think back: any recent scraping, sanding, or demo?

If yes to any, pause DIY plans and call a lead abatement contractor NYC for testing.

What “safe” looks like in plain language

A certified team will not guess. They will:

Inspect where kids live and play.
Test paint with an XRF device.
Collect dust wipes from floors and sills.
Give you a written plan that fixes the source, not just the look.

No shortcuts. No “paint over and hope.” Real safety ends with clearance testing that proves dust is gone.

Fixing the problem the right way

Depending on your home, your plan may include:

Encapsulation. A special coating seals intact lead paint.
Enclosure. New panels cover old hazards.
Component replacement. Swap high-risk windows, doors, or trim.
Targeted removal. Done inside full containment with HEPA tools.

Each method is chosen to stop dust at the source and keep it from coming back.

What to expect during the work

Rooms are sealed. Air is pulled into the work area and filtered.
Workers use HEPA tools and wet methods to control dust.
Waste leaves through a safe route.
Crews clean with HEPA vacuums and wet wipes.
An independent professional tests again. Only then do you re-enter.

This is EPA-certified remediation NYC and OSHA-compliant remediation NYC done right.

“Can we stay home during abatement?”

Often yes, with smart staging. A good contractor sets up zones so family life can continue. If you have a newborn or toddler, you may choose a short hotel stay during the dust-heavy phase. Your team will advise.

“How much does it cost?”

Price depends on three things:

Scope. How many windows, doors, or rooms.
Method. Encapsulation vs. replacement.
Access. Walk-ups, weekend work, pets, and schedules.

You should get a written estimate, timeline, and cleanup plan. Ask for the clearance testing cost to be included. Cheap bids that skip testing are not savings. They are risk.

Renters, owners, and landlords: who does what?

Owners/landlords must keep homes lead-safe under NYC law. If you rent, report peeling paint right away and request certified work.
Co-op/condo boards: plan building-wide inspections for pre-1978 units. Shared standards protect everyone.
Parents: ask your pediatrician about testing if you suspect exposure. Then fix the source at home.

Why DIY fails

Dry scraping spreads dust. Regular vacuums blow lead back into the air. Painting over peeling areas without prep lasts weeks, then fails. You risk turning one room’s problem into a whole-home issue. Bring in certified help first.

When lead travels with other problems

Leaks and humidity often create peeling paint and mold together. If you smell musty odors or see stains, combine lead abatement with mold remediation NYC. If you plan demolition in older spaces, you may also need asbestos removal New York City before work begins. One team can plan all hazards at once so you only clear the space one time.

Simple FAQs

Replacement removes the source. Encapsulation works on intact surfaces. Many projects use both.
Urgent jobs are staged quickly. We prioritize homes with young children.
Policies vary. Sudden leaks that caused paint failure may qualify. We provide the documents your carrier needs.
Independent dust wipe results at or below NYC standards. You receive the lab report.

How Lead Paint Puts Families at Risk—and How a Lead Abatement Contractor NYC Fixes It