Even though paints manufactured today do not contain lead, often times lead is found in the paint of older homes. If the old paint is chipped, peeling or cracking, or if it's on a friction surface (around doors or windows), impact surface (sills or baseboards) or on a surface that a young child can mouth or chew, it can be a hazard.

If you think that your home might contain lead paint, you can obtain test kits to analyze some paint chips. If they show positive results, then it’s best to seek out a licensed contractor that can recommend the best procedure for proper removal.

We recommend using the blue "painter’s tape" found at most hardware stores instead of regular masking tape, which tends to leave a sticky residue. Don't fret if you don't have painter's tape! It’s usually not very difficult to simply scrape away any paint remaining on a window with a bladed scraper, then washing and polishing with chamois leather.

While the differences may not be very apparent at the start, lower quality flat latex paints tend to darken quicker, and are more likely to be damaged during cleaning than the higher quality gloss or semi-gloss enamels. Areas painted with higher quality paints typically do not need to be repainted as often.

Start by removing any excess paint from out of the rim as it will splash out when the lid is pressed down. If you find it difficult to get the paint out of that tiny area, then you can carefully punch a few small nail holes in the rim so the paint will drain in the can naturally. Usually, hand pressure is all that’s needed to close the lid. However, if you must use a mallet or hammer, be sure to cover the entire can lid with a rag first to avoid any splashing paint.