If you have plans to buy a home, you need to get a basic understanding of radon. It is a colorless, odorless, gas that is found in soil. You wonder why it's important to know about it. The radon found in soil can seep into homes, and homeowners will not be able to detect its presence without radon testing. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer. Radon levels can be reduced with radon mitigation. The following points can benefit you as you explore your home buying options.
What about new home construction?
The construction industry is more aware of radon and its effects than it was in the past. You can expect radon testing to be done during the building phases of new homes. However, cautious buyers can ask their homebuilders about these crucial tests, which can literally be a matter of life or death. There are manufactured building materials that are classified as radon-resistant. You can use a builder as a resource to understand more about these materials and to learn more about radon mitigation solutions such as radon fans that can be included in the building plans for your home.
What about existing homes for sale?
Some sellers may have radon testing performed before they list their homes on the market. As a buyer, you should aim to do your own due diligence and ask if testing has been performed and the results. You can request to get a home of interest tested if it has not been. High levels of radon could serve as a negotiation factor. The seller might choose to pay for the mitigation costs, which could be a considerable amount of money. Another potential outcome is that they might reduce their selling price, which means that you would need to plan to pay for radon mitigation to ensure that the air quality in the home is safe.
What are radon mitigation options for high testing homes?
There are outdoor and indoor mitigation solutions that can reduce radon levels. Depressurization is the method used to draw radon away from homes. There are several options for the placement of devices in pipes, foundation slabs, and crawlspaces. Some options are detectable such as visible pipes with the devices installed, but others can be installed discreetly in a home.
The presence of radon should not overshadow your desire to become a homeowner. You can safely dwell in a home that has tested for high levels of radon as long as you get the appropriate radon mitigation strategy into place. If you have concerns about post-mitigation levels, you can take advantage of getting future routine tests performed for your peace of mind. A radon mitigation testing company is a good resource to use to learn more about radon and mitigation solutions.
For more information on radon mitigation testing, contact a professional near you.
Share
