Do you think my window frames have lead paint?

[kingd18]

I recently moved into a new home and I am looking to scrape and then paint some window frames that desperately need some love! The home is 100 years old and I am not sure how old these window frames are.

Before I start scraping the paint, I am wondering if this might be lead based paint? I think the only way to know definitively is to get lead paint test done. But I am wondering if any professionals here have an opinion on whether this might be lead paint or not, by eyeballing it? Thank you so much!

 

[Snoonyb]

There any number of easy to use test kits available, for your use.
Test the underside of chips removed, because water based paint may be the existing surface.

Wear a respirator while prepping.

 

[bud16415]

A 100 year old house in the NE I have owned several for sure had lead paint on it at some point in time. It has also likely been scraped and painted 15 times and any paint scraped off was likely allowed to float down and go into the soil around the house. You might not want to plant a vegetable garden next to the house but other than that I wouldn’t worry too much about it on the outside. Wear a dust mask and try not to do a lot of power sanding. Scrape it off and get some good caulk and paint on it. Inside and if you have young children that like to chew on window sills is a different question.



When you buy a century old home you have to picture yourself with a scraper in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.