Lead Paint in Older Adelaide Homes: What to Know Before You Repaint

Last updated: 24 October 2026

Adelaide has plenty of character homes, from stone cottages and bluestone villas to interwar bungalows. Repainting one is rewarding, but older homes can come with an extra safety question: could the old paint contain lead? This guide explains what the health authorities say, how to check, and how to plan a safe repaint. It is general information, not a substitute for the official guidance linked at the end.

Does my older Adelaide home have lead paint?

It might. SA Health advises assuming that houses built before the mid-1970s contain lead-based paint, and that homes built up to the 1940s are especially likely to, because so much lead was used then. You cannot tell by appearance alone, so testing is the only way to confirm.

Newer homes are not automatically in the clear. SA Health notes that houses built after the mid-1970s can still be affected if old house paint, or industrial or marine paint, was used. Lead can sit in both topcoats and undercoats, on exterior walls, doors and windows, and on interior walls and skirting boards.

If you are not sure what is under your current colour, the safest approach is to treat the paint as if it contains lead until it has been tested.

Why does lead paint matter when you repaint?

Lead paint that is intact is a low exposure risk, but sanding, scraping or heating it creates fine dust and flakes that can be breathed in or swallowed. Young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are the most vulnerable. That is why preparation is the step that needs the most care.

SA Health advises that if your home was built before 1980, you should follow its six-step guide when renovating, restoring or repainting, to help manage the health risk for you, your family and vulnerable people.

The point is not to panic, but to plan. Most of the risk comes from how the old paint is prepared, not from the paint sitting quietly on the wall.

Which Adelaide homes are most likely to be affected?

Older homes are the most likely, including cottages, villas and bungalows built before the mid-1970s. Many established suburbs have streets full of these homes, so it is worth checking the age of your home early. A later renovation or extension can also mean different paints in different parts of the house.

For example, our pages for Parkside, Prospect and Burnside describe the mix of older cottages, villas, bungalows and interwar homes found in those suburbs. If your home is from that era, treat lead as a possibility. If your home is also in a heritage area, our guide to heritage home painting in Adelaide covers the approval side, and our heritage painting service page covers work on character homes.

How can you test for lead paint?

You can test using colour-change test kits from hardware or paint stores, laboratory analysis by a NATA-accredited lab, or a portable X-ray device that is not readily available to the public. Kits are quick but limited in accuracy, and every layer of paint should be tested.

SA Health describes the three options:

• Colour-change kits: relatively cheap and quick, but limited in accuracy. Test all layers, not just the top coat.
• Laboratory testing: the most reliable method. Samples are scraped off and each layer may be tested. Use a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.
• Portable X-ray fluorescence: gives an instant reading without damaging the paint, but is not readily available to the public.

If you suspect lead and have not tested, SA Health’s advice is to assume it is there and take precautions.

What are the safe ways to deal with lead paint?

SA Health lists three options depending on the paint’s condition: leave it in place and monitor it, stabilise small deteriorated areas with a modern topcoat or encapsulant, or have it removed. Avoid dry sanding, scraping and heat, which create dust and fumes. Wet methods and careful clean-up reduce the risk.

The official guidance includes these practices:

• Do not dry sand, grind, blast, or use heat guns or torches on paint that may contain lead.
• Use wet scraping and wet sanding to reduce airborne dust.
• Seal off the work area and cover floors with plastic sheeting.
• Keep children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and pets away from the work area.
• Clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum and wet mopping, and dispose of waste safely.
• Consider a qualified professional trained in lead paint management, especially for large areas or flaking paint, and arrange testing before any sanding.

Can you just paint over lead paint?

Sometimes. SA Health says small areas of minor deterioration can be stabilised by sealing with a modern paint topcoat or an encapsulant. Lead paint that is flaking or peeling needs more careful management first. Painting over it is generally a temporary measure, and the area should be monitored.

SA Health sets out what counts as a small area, and recommends monitoring stabilised areas at least once every two years, or annually for high-impact areas such as window frames, door frames and skirting boards. Painting over damaged lead paint without proper preparation can leave the problem in place.

What should you ask a painter about an older home?

Ask how they handle homes of your home’s age, whether they plan to test for lead or assume it is present, how they prepare surfaces without creating dust, and how they protect and clean the area. A good painter will welcome these questions and explain their approach clearly.

Useful questions include:

• How do you handle preparation on homes built before the mid-1970s?
• Will you avoid dry sanding and heat on old paint?
• How will you contain dust and clean up at the end?
• What happens if testing shows lead is present?

Tell the team the age of your home when you get in touch so it can be part of the conversation. Older timber, render and plaster all behave differently, and our exterior painting service and interior painting service pages explain what each service covers. If you have noticed flaking paint, our home painting checklist shows what to look for around the house.

Frequently asked questions

Is lead paint dangerous if it is intact?

Paint in good condition that is not flaking, cracking or chalking is a low exposure risk. The danger comes when it is damaged or disturbed, for example by sanding or scraping. Monitor it, and plan carefully before any preparation work starts.

Can I tell if paint contains lead by looking at it?

No. SA Health says it is not possible to know whether paint has lead in it by appearance alone. Testing with a kit or laboratory is needed, or you can assume lead is present and use lead-safe practices.

Is a hardware store test kit enough?

Kits are quick and affordable, but SA Health says their accuracy is limited. Every layer of paint should be tested. If the result is important to your decisions, or you suspect lead despite a negative test, laboratory testing is the most reliable method.

Should children and pregnant women stay home during a repaint?

Official guidance recommends keeping children and pregnant or breastfeeding women away from work areas where lead paint may be disturbed, including during clean-up. Tell your painter about anyone in the household who is vulnerable so work can be planned around them.

Can newer homes have lead paint too?

Yes, although it is less likely. SA Health says homes built after the mid-1970s can still be affected if old house paint, or industrial or marine paint, was used on surfaces. Check the history of the property if you are unsure.

Planning to repaint an older home?

If your home is older, tell the team when you get in touch so they can talk through your plans. This article is general safety information based on SA Health guidance, not a lead assessment. If you suspect lead, arrange testing or speak to a qualified professional before any sanding or scraping. Talk to the team about your older home.

Sources

• SA Health: Where you may find lead-based paint
• SA Health: Testing for lead-based paint
• SA Health: Managing lead-based paint