Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. This means that unless you are specifically testing for its presence, there’s no way to determine whether it’s there and in what quantities. In the case you need some help getting rid of radon pollution, check here this radon mitigation system cost.
Radon tests are inexpensive and, in many areas, legally required for real estate purchases. Here are some of the top reasons for you to conduct air testing before you move into your new home:
Radon is formed when uranium radioactively decays in soil, rock, or water. Uranium is a naturally occurring element that is generally found in the Earth’s crust. Because of the radioactive nature of radon, it has been identified by experts as the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon enters buildings and homes through the soil or rock underneath. Radon, as well as other types of gases, moves through the ground and gets trapped below a building. It eventually accumulates and increases in pressure. Since the air pressure inside buildings and homes is lower, the trapped radon gas with the higher pressure makes it way through the floors and walls and into the building.
Because radon is so common, any home can have a radon problem. In fact, the presence of radon in many homes throughout the world has made it the leading environmental cause of lung cancer, and is second only to smoking when it comes to causing cancer mortality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 21,000 people die from radon-related lung diseases every year.
If you want to avoid unwittingly developing lung cancer, make sure that you regularly test your home for the presence of radon. There are numerous radon testing and mitigation companies like VRK Radon that provide accurate reports to ensure that you can safely move into your new home.
Radon detectors are safe and easy to use. Most of them can be set up in less than 10 minutes. They can be installed in areas that wouldn’t make it an eyesore or hamper foot traffic. The detector needs to stay in place for approximately 52 hours to accurately measure radon levels. It won’t produce dangerous or toxic emissions.
After the testing period is up, a specialist will come back into your home to pick up the test and the results will be available almost immediately. If your home tests positive for radon, the specialist will then recommend possible solutions and radon mitigation systems.
To protect the public, many countries require mandatory testing, disclosure, or radon mitigation for newly constructed homes and buildings. For example, in several states in the US, sellers are legally required to disclose radon levels to potential buyers.
By testing for radon before you move into your new home, you are taking the right steps to comply with your legal obligations. Even without a legal requirement in your area, it is always a good idea to include the test during the home inspection process.
It is always better to have complete and correct information before you finalize any real estate transaction. The presence of radon in your home is a risk that you should know beforehand so you can plan and implement the proper course of solutions.
It’s easy to forgo radon testing, especially when you are trying to save money. However, high radon levels in your home is very dangerous for your health. You can’t predict its presence since there is no known correlation to a building’s location or proximity to hazardous areas. The only way to know for sure is through a safe testing conducted by a qualified professional. Then, you can contact a radon mitigation specialist if the test results show radon presence in the property.
Radon is believed to pose a greater risk to children. This is because children’s bodies are still developing and exposure to radon can lead to permanent lung tissue damage. If you are moving into your new home with your children, make sure that you are not putting their health and welfare at risk.
You can ask for radon testing to be done during your home inspection. This would ensure that the property is habitable for you and your kids. If you want to be more proactive, you can also hire a radon specialist to install a long-term radon detector. After all, radon levels tend to fluctuate so extended testing is preferable if you want to obtain more representative numbers.
Conclusion
Radon testing is a cost-effective measure to protect your family’s well-being before you move into a new home. It reduces the chance of radiation exposure and the risk of developing cancer.
