Should I worry about lead paint with young kids in an Ottawa house?

If your house was built before 1960, Health Canada says it probably contains lead-based paint. If it was built between 1960 and 1990, the exterior may contain lead-based paint, and interior surfaces may also contain lead in smaller amounts that could still be harmful, especially to young children. Houses built after 1990 should not contain lead, because all consumer paints produced in Canada and the United States were virtually lead-free by then.

If you are planning any work that touches painted surfaces in an older home, testing before you start is the sensible first step. A certified inspector can measure paint lead levels in your home, or you can mail paint chip samples to a testing laboratory.

If lead is confirmed and removal is needed, the method used, the dust containment during the work and the cleanup afterward should all be written into the contractor's quote before any work begins. Ontario's guideline on lead in construction says project owners must determine whether lead is present and inform potential contractors, though how that duty applies to a house the owner lives in is not settled, and you should ask the contractor or the Ministry of Labour if you are unsure. The guideline is guidance, not a regulation, and it does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A few things worth knowing before you hire:

• We found no Ontario company licence for lead abatement as such. What you can check is whether the contractor has current WSIB clearance, which you can search online.
• The method, containment and cleanup plan should be spelled out in the written quote, not left vague.
• Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, 2002, an agreement signed at your home is a direct agreement; if the total exceeds $50, it must be in writing and you have 10 days to cancel after receiving your copy. Check the current rules, as the Act is due to be replaced.
• The Construction Act generally requires a 10 per cent holdback; get advice for your situation.

We found no published Ottawa contractor prices for lead testing or removal with enough sources to give a reliable range.

The most useful question to put to a contractor before you sign is: exactly what containment and cleanup steps will you use, and how will you confirm the work area is clear when you are done?