How To Prepare For A Visual Inspection and Dust Wipe Sampling

The Municipality of Norristown requires two steps in the Dust Wipe Certification Process:  a Visual Inspection and a Dust Wipe Sampling. Both will be completed at the appointment.

A Visual Inspection is an examination of all painted building components for deteriorated paint or visible surface dust, debris, or residue. The inspector will also look for paint chips or dust from painting activities that were not cleaned up and any paint residue on floors. We recommend that you review checklist below prior to scheduling an inspection:

Visual Pre-Inspection Checklist 

●  All windows, window troughs, walls, floors, moldings, etc., (any painted surface in the house) should be free of any visible chipping, cracked or peeling paint. 

●  All child accessible areas should be free of any paint dust 

●  In a duplex or multi-unit building, any common areas (laundry rooms, hallways, stairs, basements, porches, etc.) should be free of any visible chipping, cracked or peeling paint. 

Dust Wipe Sampling testing consists of testing (via a “handwipe like” towel), each bedroom (1 windowsill and 1 floor below) as well as a common area, such as a living room (1 windowsill, 1 and 1 floor below). The dust wipe samples are sent to our EPA Certified Laboratory for detailed analysis. 

Dust Wipe Pre-Inspection Checklist 

●  All windowsills, window troughs, and floors below the sills should be cleaned. 

●  Carpeted floors should be vacuumed. 

●  If any windowsill has any visible cracks or peeling paint, it should be repaired and repainted. 

●  Any painted surface in the house (walls, door frames, etc) should be free of any visible chipping, cracked or peeling paint. 

●  All child accessible areas should be free of any paint dust. 

●  In a duplex or multi-unit building, any common areas 

(laundry rooms, hallways, stairs, basements, porches, etc.) should be free of any visible chipping, cracked or peeling paint.