Old-house lead hazard finder

Lead Safe Window Guide

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Look for places where old paint can turn into dust, chips, or mouthable debris.

This checklist is for one window at a time. It does not test for lead. It helps you notice the conditions that make older painted windows risky: failing paint, rubbing parts, impact points, dust collection areas, and child-accessible surfaces.

1 Name the window Pick the closest age and type. Unknown is okay when evidence is mixed.
2 Follow the movement Look where sash, stops, tracks, hinges, locks, or storms rub or strike painted wood.
3 Check what collects below Dust and chips often settle in the stool, sill, trough, floor, porch, or soil under the window.
Condition Peeling, cracking, chalking, alligatoring, or flaking paint.
Friction Painted parts scrape, bind, rub, or shed dust during normal use.
Impact Sash or hardware slams, strikes, dents, or leaves chips at a stop point.
Access Children can touch, mouth, sleep, sit, or play near the surface or dust.

Window type primer

Match the window first, then inspect the contact points.

Illustrated historic window types from the Newport window guide, including single-hung, double-hung, triple-hung, sliding, fixed, awning, hopper, pivot, and casement windows.
Historic window type illustrations adapted from the Newport window guide.

Single-hung or double-hung

One or two sash move up and down. Check jamb tracks, parting strips, interior stops, meeting rails, stool, sill, and the trough where dust collects.

Sliding window

Sash move side to side. Check the lower track, side jambs, meeting edge, stop points, and any painted sill or exterior storm track below.

Casement, awning, hopper, or pivot

Sash swing or pivot instead of sliding. Check hinges, pivots, latch points, jamb contact, bottom edges, and the sill where the sash closes.

Fixed or replacement window

The sash may not move, but old trim can remain. Check casing, stool, sill, exterior paint, glazing, water damage, and soil or porch surfaces below.

Inspect

Window surface map

Painted double-hung window with lead hazard zones Diagram showing sash, jamb tracks, sill, trough, casing, and exterior drip area. painted window assembly

Assess

Window conditions

Home and window
Paint, dust, and use
Pinpoint abrasion or impact
Manual documentation
Observation

Triage

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Recommended next steps

    Field note

    
        
    
      
    
    
    

    
    
      
    
        
    Safety basis
    
        
    Official guidance used in this prototype
    
      
    
      
      
    This tool does not identify lead by itself. In pre-1978 housing, assume lead may be present unless testing by a qualified professional or lab result shows otherwise. For renovation work, use lead-safe practices and certified firms when required.