Homax 5250 Household Lead Test Kit

Other products by Homax

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

LeadCheck offers the consumer a simple and reliable method to test for lead and get results instantly. Because this test is economical, very simple to conduct, and reliable as a positive test for lead, it provides the consumer a valuable screening tool to determine if they may have a lead hazard in their home. LeadCheck is also valuable to contractors who are not likely to pay for or wait for professional lead testing every time they work on a building that was built prior to 1978. It provides them with an inexpensive and fast way to know - if they cut, scrape or renovate, that they may be contaminating the building and exposing their workers to hazardous lead.

Product Description

Lead check test swabs detect lead on any surface within 1 minute. To use the test swab just squeeze the test swab firmly at the 2 points indicated, shake and then continue to squeeze until yellow liquid appears on the brush end. Rub the surface to be tested with the wet swab. The lead check swab will turn pink if leachable lead is present. Lead check swabs can be used to check for lead in paint, ceramics, dinnerware, crystal, solder, toys, dust, soil, etc. Lead check swabs are packed 2 per blister card.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 3.8 x 7.5 inches ; 0.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000E3DX0C
• Item model number: 5250
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,958 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

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  Home Improvement > Fire Safety & Home Security > Household Sensors & Alarms

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There IS a better option., September 25, 2007

By	ramblin (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

As a previous review mentioned, the color change is ambiguous. Is it red or orange or what? If it changes color at all, does that mean lead is present? The instructions aren't clear on that point. What the packaging doesn't tell you is that if what you want to test is painted red, this testing kit cannot be used since a positive result is shown by the surface turning "red" or "pink." Now I have to find a different tester not only to test red paint but also to confirm the orange result of this testing kit. Save your money and just buy another brand from the start.

*I tried another brand, the First Alert Lead Test Kit, and it does have an option for testing dark-colored items, with a quantitative result chart that shows approximately how much lead is present in your sample, as opposed to the quick swab yes/no (more like "huh?") result this lesser Homax test. Get The First Alert Lead Test instead.

**FINAL EDIT: Both of the aforementioned lead test kits gave false positive results. Unfortunately, I found out only after I'd already hired a lead abatement firm, whose professional detection equipment confirmed there was no lead where these little test kits had shown positive results. Save your money for the pros and get an accurate result before you start worrying like I did for no reason.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Packaging flaw, December 10, 2007

By	Maria (IL USA) - See all my reviews

I bought 5 packs. The outside of the box says up to 4 tests. However, be warned that the only way you can use ONE swab again, is if you get a negative reading. Once you activate a swab, you get two minutes to use it. I read on Consumer Reports that they had some swabs change colors after 2 hours. So...2 mins-2 hours? I opted to not reuse a swab. Secondly, I had 10 possible swabs. 4 swabs did not works. The liquid was not in there, or it was already crushed. Then I had 1 swab break thru the outer shell and prick my finger with the glass. Other than that, I suppose they worked. I will know for sure in a few weeks when I get my house tested professionally, and update my review.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars These worked great. Instructions could be better, March 2, 2008

By	Dan (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

I wanted to test the paint in our room before i started sanding. At first everything I tested went was from a yellow to a sort of an yellow orange color, which the instructions did not explain. After spending sometime on there website I found orange signifies barium which is a lead substitute. Also I tested some paint in another area and got purple, which signifies there is tin in the paint. Eventually I came a cross a painted area inside our air ducts behind the vent. (Why the inside of our vent was painted i have no idea) I tested this and it turned a reddish pink. There is a detailed color chart on there website which i compared it to and it was around 8% lead. Yikes. guess I will be removing my ductwork.

After doing a few of these tests I learned to lightly rub the tip of the tester into the paint for 30 seconds, don't mash it in too hard or you wont get good results.

All in all this worked great. They really should put the information on there website in the instructions though.