What is Radon?

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s produced by decaying uranium. Its present in nearly all soils and very low levels of radon are found in the air we breathe every day. Radon seeps from the ground and enters the house and over time it can build up and can become a serious problem. Exposure to radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer.

When purchasing a house, radon testing is one of the inspections you can opt into doing. I would recommend doing one which is performed by a licensed home inspector, who has radon testing certification. They are relatively inexpensive, about $100-$150 and will bring you peace of mind when moving into your new home. If your test comes back with a 4 pCi/L or higher than it is recommended that you install a radon mitigation system and as a buyer, you may have an opportunity to ask the sellers to install the mitigation system at their expense prior to closing.

How does a Radon Mitigation System work? It basically involves ventilating your home by using PVC pipes to draw the radon gas up from the soil and out of your house.

As a Realtor®, doing your due diligence and protecting your buyer is a priority. A lot of buyers think only a home inspection is needed – sometimes there are other testings that are beneficial to protect yourself and your family down the road!

 

-Brentney Kozuch, Realtor® and Sales Partner Story House Real Estate