What we sample
Lead dust settles on horizontal surfaces, so that’s where we test. In every bedroom we take one wipe from the floor and one from a windowsill. We do the same in one common room, usually the living room or kitchen. Every set also includes a blank control wipe, so the lab can confirm the samples weren’t contaminated along the way.
Before sampling, we do a quick visual check for deteriorated paint, since peeling or chipped paint on a sill is the most common reason a wipe comes back high.
The lab
Samples are analyzed by Accurate Analytical Testing LLC (accreditation #100986). Standard turnaround is 3–5 business days from when the lab receives them. If you’re up against a lease date, you can choose 48-hour, 24-hour or same-day results; rush samples ship overnight so the clock starts the next morning.
What it takes to pass
Since January 12, 2026, the EPA dust-lead action levels are stricter. Every wipe must come in under:
| Surface | Limit since Jan 12, 2026 | Before |
|---|---|---|
| Floors | 5 µg/ft² | 10 µg/ft² |
| Windowsills | 40 µg/ft² | 100 µg/ft² |
| Window troughs | 100 µg/ft² | 400 µg/ft² |
Read what changed in 2026, and use the prep checklist before the visit. It’s the single best way to pass the first time.
When you pass
You get your Certification of Lead Safe Status and the lab report by email, with step-by-step instructions for uploading both to the City of Philadelphia’s lead certification portal. In Philadelphia the certificate is good for four years, and we’ll remind you before it runs out.
Follow the portal walkthrough when the time comes.
If a unit fails
It happens, especially under the 2026 limits. We name the room and surface that came back high, explain the likely cause, and tell you how to clean or repair it. When it’s ready, the re-test is 20% off. More in Failed a lead dust test?
Paying
You get an invoice before the visit. Pay by Venmo, Zelle, check or card (credit cards carry a 3% surcharge, shown before you pay; debit cards don’t). Samples ship to the lab once payment is in.