The Hidden Dangers of Lead Paint in NZ Homes: What You Need to Know Before Renovating

Renovating an Older Home? Make Sure You're Not Breathing in the Past.

If your home was built before the 1980s in New Zealand, there's a strong chance it's hiding a toxic legacy: lead-based paint. While it may look like just another layer of flaky old colour, what you can't see could be putting your family and your health at risk.

This blog will walk you through what lead paint is, why it is dangerous, how to identify it, and most importantly, how to remove it safely using Peel Away®, New Zealand's trusted, non-toxic paint removal system.

What Is Lead Paint?

Lead was once a common ingredient in paints because it improved durability and coverage, but over time, we have learned that lead is a potent neurotoxin, especially harmful to children, pregnant women, and pets.

Despite being banned in household paints in NZ in 1979, lead-based paints are still present in thousands of homes, especially villas, bungalows, and heritage buildings.

Why Lead Paint Is Dangerous?

Lead exposure can happen through:

• Sanding or scraping old paint (airborne lead dust)
• Flaking or peeling paint chips around windows, doors, and weatherboards
• Contaminated soil or water runoff during exterior cleaning

Health Risks Include:

• Developmental delays in children
• Learning difficulties and behavioural issues
• Miscarriages and complications during pregnancy
• Kidney damage and nervous system problems in adults

Even low-level exposure can have long-term effects, and if you are doing DIY renovations, you could be unintentionally contaminating your home, garden, or workplace.

How to Tell If Your Home Has Lead Paint?

Lead paint isn't always obvious. Here are a few signs your home might contain it:

• Built before 1980 (especially 1900 - 1970s)
• Has multiple layers of older paint
• Shows signs of chalking, cracking, or peeling
• Renovated homes with untouched original window frames or architraves

To confirm, you can:

• Use a DIY lead paint test kit
• Hire a certified assessor or building inspector
• Send samples to a lab for testing

If you do discover lead, don't panic, but don't sand or chip it yourself. You need a removal method that contains the risk, not spreads it.

The Safer Solution: Peel Away® Lead Paint Removal System

Peel Away is a revolutionary paint stripping system that safely removes multiple layers of paint, including lead, without sanding, grinding, or releasing harmful dust into the air.

Why It's Ideal for Lead Paint:

• Fully encapsulates and contains lead particles
• No toxic fumes or solvents
• Safe for indoor and outdoor use
• Easy to apply: paste on, cover, wait, and peel off
• Suitable for wood, brick, concrete, plaster, metal, and more

Used on high-profile projects like the Auckland Harbour Bridge, War Memorial Museum, and 100-year-old villas, Peel Away is trusted by heritage specialists, builders, and homeowners across NZ.

DIY vs. Professional: What Should You Do?

Peel Away can be used as a DIY product, but lead paint removal should always be approached with caution. We recommend:

• Performing a trial patch to test effectiveness
• Wearing protective gear (gloves, goggles, mask)
• Following disposal instructions for hazardous waste
• Consulting Peel Away's contractor guides and safety datasheets

For large jobs or high-risk surfaces (e.g., flaky lead paint on weatherboards), consider hiring a qualified contractor who can ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Protecting Your Health, Home & Environment

The beauty of Peel Away isn't just in the finish - it's in the fact that you don't have to sacrifice your health or your home's surfaces to remove harmful paint.

Unlike traditional methods that generate airborne lead dust, Peel Away:

• Traps particles in a sealed layer of paste
• Requires no sanding or blasting
• Minimises water use and runoff
• Produces less mess, less stress, and less exposure

It's the safest paint removal option in New Zealand, especially for families with young children or people restoring older homes.

Final Thought: Know Before You Reno

Before you start that next home project, especially in a pre-1980s property, ask yourself: "What's under this paint, and is it safe to remove?"

If it might be lead-based, the last thing you want is to unknowingly put yourself, your whānau, or your contractors at risk.

With Peel Away, you can remove the past safely and reveal a future-ready surface without the health hazards.

Need Help or Want to Buy?

Visit peelaway.co.nz to:

• Learn more about Peel Away 1 (for lead and enamel paints)
• Buy DIY trial kits
• Access safety guides and product sheets
• Speak to a technical consultant for advice

Or call 0800 787 472 and let us help you strip away the risk - layer by layer.