Serving the Greater Los Angeles Area 310-893-9903 aaa.asb.inspections@gmail.com
Hours: 8am-5pm
Lead-based paint was officially banned for residential use in the United States in 1978, yet millions of
California homes, apartments, and commercial buildings still contain layers of it on trim, doors, and
exterior siding. When those painted surfaces chip, peel, or are disturbed during renovation, they release
toxic dust that can be inhaled or ingested by children and adults alike. Even trace amounts can cause
lasting neurological and developmental harm.
At AAA Asbestos Inspections, we provide fast, precise lead paint testing that identifies hazards before you start a project or finalize a purchase. Our certified inspectors use state-of-the-art analyzers and accredited laboratory analysis to pinpoint lead levels on the spot and guide compliant remediation strategies.
From single-family homes in Pasadena to historic commercial spaces in Downtown Los Angeles, we deliver the data you need to keep renovations on schedule and occupants safe.
Lead interferes with brain development, lowers IQ, and contributes to behavioral problems in children. In adults, it can elevate blood pressure, damage the kidneys, and harm the reproductive systems. Because symptoms often develop slowly, many families remain unaware of exposure until serious health issues arise.
Window sashes, door frames, baseboards, and exterior siding are frequent culprits, especially in structures built before 1960, when lead content was at its highest. Renovators often uncover additional layers hidden beneath newer paint or wallpaper, creating a concealed risk that standard visual inspections miss.
Heat, moisture, and everyday friction from opening windows or doors grind lead paint into microscopic dust. These particles settle on floors and windowsills where children play, or become airborne during sanding and drilling. Without proper containment, they spread quickly through HVAC systems and settle on furniture, toys, and food-prep surfaces.
Any structure built before 1978 is likely to contain at least one layer of lead-based paint. If you plan to
replace windows, refinish hardwood floors, or remove old siding, testing should be the first task on your
checklist.
Knowing lead concentrations ahead of time lets you budget for certified renovators, dust-containment
measures, and specialized cleanup so the project stays on schedule and within the law.
Even minor DIY jobs like drilling into plaster to hang cabinets can generate hazardous dust if the
substrate contains lead, so don’t rely on age alone; confirm with an XRF scan before work begins.
As leaders in our field, we take pride in making sure our process is peerless.
Here’s a look at what to
expect when you partner with AAA Asbestos for your lead paint testing.
● Comprehensive visual inspection: We walk the property, noting deteriorated surfaces, impact zones, and previous spot repairs that may hide older lead layers.
● XRF scanning: Handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzers read lead content through multiple paint layers in seconds, producing instant pass/fail data without damaging historic finishes.
● Paint-chip sampling: Where visual cues or XRF results are inconclusive, we remove a thumbnail-sized sample and seal it in tamper-evident bags for laboratory confirmation.
● Accredited laboratory analysis: Samples travel under full chain of custody to a CDPH-approved lab that performs atomic absorption spectroscopy to quantify lead down to parts per million.
● Clear, user-friendly reporting: Within forty-eight hours, you receive a digital report featuring color-coded tables, annotated photos, and a summary that compares findings to EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) thresholds.
● Remediation and renovation guidance: We explain containment options, recommend certified abatement contractors, and outline clearance testing protocols so your project can resume safely and in full regulatory compliance.
California property owners face a layered patchwork of state and federal regulations whenever lead-based paint is present.
The EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule sets the baseline: any disturbance larger than six square feet indoors or twenty square feet outdoors must be handled by certified renovators using containment, specialized tools, and HEPA-filtered cleanup.
HUD Guidelines, which govern multifamily housing and Section 8 properties, add stricter dust-clearance standards, while Cal/OSHA Title 8 requires exposure-control plans that protect workers on active construction sites.
The California Department of Public Health mandates that certified inspectors prepare a Lead Hazard Evaluation Report before abatement and a Lead Clearance Examination afterward.
Our reports are formatted to satisfy each of these agencies simultaneously. They include XRF readings, laboratory certificates, detailed floor plans, and a photographic log, which are all then stored in a secure digital archive.
Residential Properties: Lead hazards in single-family homes, duplexes, and condominiums tend to
cluster around child-accessible surfaces: window sills and troughs, baseboards, stair rails, and soil in play
areas. Our inspectors perform room-by-room XRF scans that spare historic trim, use low-dust paint-chip
sampling when confirmation is needed, and explain results in everyday language so families understand
the next steps.
We also provide renovation timelines that coordinate with school holidays or weekend schedules,
minimizing disruption to daily life while keeping children and pets safe. Homeowners receive
recommendations for certified renovators, containment strategies, and clearance testing to document
that living spaces are lead-safe before anyone moves back in.
Commercial and Multifamily Buildings: Restaurants, manufacturing plants, office towers, apartment
complexes, and educational facilities face broader regulatory oversight and tighter project deadlines.
We conduct building-wide surveys after business hours, isolate work zones to keep tenants or
customers on-site, and deliver rapid laboratory results to satisfy insurers, city permit offices, and
Cal/OSHA inspectors. Digital floor plans map every positive surface so maintenance teams can prioritize
repairs, while our compliance archive stores all XRF readings, lab certificates, and photographic evidence
for future audits.
Whether you manage a five-unit property or a two-hundred-tenant high-rise, our scalable approach
helps you meet HUD dust standards, RRP containment rules, and local disclosure laws without derailing
occupancy schedules or revenue forecasts.
Our mission is to give you precise data, clear guidance, and peace of mind before the first drop cloth hits the floor. Here is what sets us apart.
Every lead professional on our team carries EPA Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor credentials, California CDPH certification, and comprehensive liability coverage, so you know testing is completed safely and legally.
We use cutting-edge X-ray fluorescence analyzers that read through multiple paint layers in seconds. Instant pass-fail data means fewer paint-chip samples, less property damage, and faster decisions for contractors and homeowners alike.
Standard laboratory confirmations and a full written report arrive within forty-eight hours. Our quotes are flat rate, covering inspection time, XRF readings, lab fees, and the final digital package, so you never face surprise add-ons.
We do more than drop off numbers. Our inspectors walk you through containment options, recommend certified renovators, and remain available for follow-up questions long after the initial report. When remediation is complete, we can handle clearance testing to document that your property is lead-safe for occupants, lenders, and insurers.
Our asbestos and mold inspections are provided by Certified Asbestos and Mold Consultants.
Homeowners and commercial property owners who are planning to demolish or renovated their property are required by the State to have their property inspected prior to commencement of work.
Asbestos License 12-4983
Lead License 00008276
Phone: 310-893-9903
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