Check whether the home was built before 1978
Look for deteriorating paint such as peeling, chipping, cracking, or chalking
Use a lead test kit on painted surfaces
Hire a certified lead inspector or risk assessor
Test dust, soil, and water near painted areas if contamination is suspected
Assume old layers of paint may contain lead until tested
Review renovation or inspection records for prior lead findings
Use an X-ray fluorescence analyzer for non-destructive testing
Send paint chip samples to a certified laboratory
Verify results with local or federal lead safety resources