Radon In Your Potential New Home: What You Need To Know
When buying a new home, it's important to know the place is safe and ready for your family to move in and enjoy their new space. And inspections are one way to do so, but most people don't think about radon inspections.
So, is a radon inspection part of the home inspection? Should it be?
Here's what you need to know.
Inspection For Homes
When buying a new home, the home inspector should offer to do a radon test as well. This testing is essential when inspecting a home.
The problem is that not all inspectors do so. Generally, the potential home buyer should ask for the radon test and this will incur more cost. However, the seller generally pays for the testing and mitigation if radon is found.
Radon Test Importance
So, why is radon home testing important? Radon is a gas, and it causes health problems and can be fatal. This is because it is a colorless, odorless gas that also has no taste.
Some possible symptoms of radon in the home include:
- Tightness in the chest
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain in chest
- Coughing
People exposed to radon for years have a high risk of developing lung cancer.
How Does Radon Invade Homes?
Since radon is a gas, it seeps into the home through cracks in the walls and foundation. It may also seep through the water or gas pipes and drains.
When radon enters the home, it is most often found in a crawlspace or basement. The risk becomes higher when the house is closed up for winter or during hot summers.
Since you can't smell, see, or taste this gas, it's important to understand how it gets in and test if you suspect radon is creeping into your home.
How Is Radon Reduced?
If a home does have radon, there are steps one can take to reduce the deadly gas and make the home livable. Depending on where the radon is found, there are methods to remove radon from the home.
- Air purifiers with activated carbon filters
- Radon sump pump with a fan
Radon is also reduced by sealing off the opening between the home and ground. This includes basement floor drains.
Radon is a dangerous gas, but it should not be the deciding factor when buying a home. With proper inspection and a seller ready to pay to clear the home or radon, it is safe to move into after mitigation.
For more information, reach out to a local radon home inspection service.
