Frequently Asked Questions

LeadSafe 215 is a Philadelphia-based EPA-certified lead testing and inspection company. We specialize in lead dust wipe testing, lead-based paint testing, and rental property inspections specifically for Philadelphia landlords and property managers. Our EPA Certification number is NAT-F284622-1, valid through February 14, 2030.

Philadelphia landlords who own or manage rental properties built before 1978 must obtain a Lead Safe or Lead Free Certificate as a condition of obtaining or renewing a rental license. This affects the vast majority of Philadelphia's rental housing stock, as most of the city's homes were built before 1978.

We serve all neighborhoods and ZIP codes within the City of Philadelphia. This includes Center City, North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Fishtown, Kensington, and every other Philadelphia neighborhood. We do not currently serve suburban areas outside city limits.

Yes. LeadSafe 215 holds EPA Dust Sampling Technician Certification #NAT-F284622-1, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, valid through February 14, 2030. All testing is performed following EPA and HUD protocols, and all samples are analyzed by EPA-accredited, AIHA-certified laboratories.

Philadelphia's lead ordinance (Philadelphia Code Chapter 6-800) requires landlords with rental properties built before 1978 to obtain a Lead Safe or Lead Free Certificate as a condition of rental license issuance or renewal. The law is designed to protect tenants — especially children under age 6 — from lead poisoning in the home. Learn more on our Philadelphia Lead Law page.

Lead Safe Certificate: Means lead-based paint may be present but is intact and does not pose an immediate hazard. Clearance dust wipe tests pass. Valid for 2 years and must be renewed. This is the most common certification for Philadelphia rental properties.

Lead Free Certificate: Means the property has been confirmed to contain absolutely no lead-based paint. This requires comprehensive testing (and usually full abatement). A Lead Free Certificate is permanent and never needs to be renewed.

A Lead Safe Certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. You must renew it every 2 years to maintain a valid Philadelphia rental license. We recommend scheduling your re-test at least 60 days before your certificate expires to allow time for any needed remediation.

Without a valid rental license, you are not legally permitted to collect rent or continue renting your property. Philadelphia L&I can fine landlords who operate without a valid license. Fines can be significant and accrue daily. It's critical to stay ahead of your certification renewals. If you're currently unlicensed, contact us immediately for priority scheduling.

Properties built in 1978 or later are generally exempt from Philadelphia's lead certification requirement for rental licensing purposes. Lead-based paint was banned for consumer use in 1978. However, if you are uncertain about the construction date of your property, or if deteriorated paint is visible, it's worth having a professional verify your compliance status. Contact us for guidance.

Yes. Each rental unit in a multi-unit building requires its own Lead Safe Certificate. Common areas (hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms) also need to be tested. We offer discounted rates for multi-unit buildings and can schedule all units efficiently to minimize cost and disruption.

A lead dust wipe test involves using a special cloth (wipe) to collect dust samples from specific surfaces in a property — primarily floors, interior windowsills, and window troughs. The wipes are then sent to a certified laboratory that analyzes how much lead is present in the dust. Results are compared against EPA/HUD clearance standards to determine if the property can be certified Lead Safe.

Under Philadelphia's requirements and EPA/HUD guidelines, the following surfaces are sampled:

• Floors (one sample per room)
• Interior windowsills (the flat surface inside the window frame)
• Window troughs / wells (the trough at the bottom of the window frame)
• Common area floors and windowsills in multi-unit buildings

Our technicians follow the complete protocol to ensure all required surfaces are sampled.

Lead dust wipe testing measures the amount of lead dust on surfaces — this is what causes the most serious risk to children who may touch surfaces and then touch their mouths. Dust wipe tests are the primary method for Philadelphia Lead Safe certification.

Lead paint testing determines whether paint on walls, woodwork, and other surfaces contains lead-based paint (above the regulatory threshold). This involves either XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis or paint chip sampling. Paint testing is typically used for full lead inspections, pre-purchase assessments, or to qualify for a Lead Free Certificate.

No — the unit does not need to be vacant. Testing can be performed with tenants present or in occupied units. However, we do ask that the surfaces being tested (floors, windowsills) not be cleaned immediately before the test, as this could affect results. Children and pets should not be present during the testing visit out of an abundance of caution.

A typical single-unit lead dust wipe inspection takes approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the size and number of rooms. For multi-unit buildings with consecutive unit access, we can typically complete 4–6 units per day. A full lead paint inspection (including XRF analysis) may take 2–3 hours for a single-family home.

Yes — a few simple steps before your inspection:

• Do not vacuum or mop floors for at least 12 hours before the test
• Do not clean windowsills or window troughs for at least 12 hours before the test
• Ensure all rooms are accessible (move large furniture if blocking windowsills)
• Have a key or ensure someone will be present to provide access

Cleaning the surfaces before testing can artificially lower dust levels and invalidate results.

After the on-site inspection, samples are sent to our accredited laboratory partner. Most results are returned within 24–48 business hours. Once results are received, your written report is typically delivered the same day. We can arrange rush processing (12–24 hours) for urgent situations — ask us when scheduling.

Results are measured in micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²) and compared against these clearance standards:

• Floors: Must be below 10 µg/ft²
• Interior Windowsills: Must be below 100 µg/ft²
• Window Troughs: Must be below 400 µg/ft²

If all results are below these thresholds, the property passes and can be certified Lead Safe. If any result exceeds the threshold, remediation (cleaning or repair) is required before retesting.

If any samples come back above the clearance thresholds, don't panic — this is fixable. The steps are:

1. Identify the issue: Our report will show exactly which surfaces failed.
2. Remediate: In many cases, thorough professional cleaning of the affected surfaces is sufficient. If deteriorated paint is causing the dust contamination, paint stabilization or encapsulation is needed.
3. Retest: After remediation is complete, we return to retest the affected areas at a reduced fee.

We can refer you to qualified lead remediation contractors if needed.

Your written inspection report includes:

• Property address and inspection date
• Technician certification information
• Description of all samples collected and their exact locations
• Lab results for each sample (in µg/ft²)
• Comparison against EPA/HUD clearance standards
• Pass/fail determination for each surface
• Overall pass/fail determination for Lead Safe certification
• Laboratory certificate of analysis with chain-of-custody
• Technician signature and certification statement

This report is ready to submit to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for your Lead Safe Certificate application.

You can schedule in three ways:

1. Call or text: 267-738-8247 — fastest response
2. Email: info@leadsafe215.com
3. Online form: Fill out our contact form and we'll call you back within 1 business hour.

We offer appointments Monday–Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–2pm.

Pricing varies based on the size of the property, number of units, and specific services needed. We provide free, no-obligation quotes for all projects. Contact us at 267-738-8247 or via our online form for a customized quote. We offer competitive pricing and bulk discounts for multi-unit properties and repeat clients.

Yes! We offer discounted rates for:

• Multiple units in the same building (inspected on the same visit)
• Multiple properties in the same geographic area
• Portfolio inspections for property managers with 5+ units
• Annual retesting contracts for ongoing compliance

Contact us to discuss your specific situation and receive a portfolio quote.

We work hard to accommodate urgent requests. For landlords with expiring licenses or active L&I violations, we prioritize same-week and often next-day scheduling. Availability varies by current demand, so call us at 267-738-8247 as soon as possible if you have an urgent need.

We accept cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, and most major credit/debit cards. Payment is typically due at the time of service or upon report delivery. Contact us for payment arrangements for large portfolio jobs.

We recommend scheduling your renewal inspection at least 60–90 days before your certificate expires. This gives you time to receive results, address any issues that arise (failed areas requiring remediation), complete any necessary work, and retest before your certificate lapses. Don't wait until the last minute — a failed test can delay your rental license renewal by weeks.

The best ways to reduce lead dust and improve your chances of passing clearance:

• Keep painted surfaces intact — repair any peeling, chipping, or deteriorating paint promptly
• Ensure windows operate smoothly — friction from painted window components generates lead dust
• Perform professional HEPA-vacuuming and wet-mopping of floors regularly
• Clean windowsills and window troughs with a damp cloth regularly
• Address any paint-disturbing work (repairs, renovations) following EPA RRP protocols

If a tenant reports deteriorating paint or a lead concern, take it seriously and address it promptly. Under Philadelphia's lead law, landlords must maintain painted surfaces in good condition and promptly repair any peeling or chipping paint. Document all repairs and consider having an inspection performed after significant repairs are completed. Contact us and we can advise on the best course of action.

For minor cleaning failures, specialized lead dust cleaning can be performed. However, it must be done correctly — regular vacuum cleaners actually spread lead dust and should not be used. Proper lead dust cleaning requires a HEPA-filter vacuum and wet-mopping with a phosphate-based cleaner. If the elevated dust levels are caused by deteriorated paint rather than accumulated dust, paint stabilization by a qualified contractor is required. We can advise you on the right approach after reviewing your specific results.