If your home was built before 1980, though, it's possible that you have dangerous materials in place that were used as part of home construction before they were banned, such as lead paint and asbestos. Some states recommend testing for lead paint and asbestos before beginning a renovation of an older home. Test for lead paint in an older house before renovations, repainting, or when existing older paint is chipping or peeling. Renovations that disturb layers of lead paint can cause people to inhale lead dust, exposing them to this toxic material. Exposure to asbestos and lead paint can cause negative health effects, hence the bans.