Radon is a poisonous heavy gas that tends to settle in basements in Southwest Virginia. It can be very dangerous if left undetected, and have long term health consequences. Thankfully, it can be tested for and removed! Learn how to schedule a radon test and how the radon inspection will impact your real estate negotiations.
What Is Radon?
You may find yourself wondering, ” What even is Radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It naturally forms in the earth from uranium, thorium, or radium, breaking down in rocks, soil, or groundwater. Radon exposure usually comes in the form of breathing in radon gas from cracks in buildings, like basement walls or floors.
Where Is It Found?
Radon is primarily found in homes in basements, crawlspaces, and lower levels. The risk of radon being in your home is higher if there are many cracks or gaps in the foundation. There is no known prevention for radon, as it is naturally occurring in the earth, so it can only be treated.
Health Impacts
One of the primary health risks of radon exposure is lung cancer. For high levels of radon exposure over a lifetime, 36 in 1000 people will develop lung cancer. This is 35 times the risk of drowning. Even in lower levels, about 7 in 1000 people will develop lung cancer.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US and 15% of lung cancer worldwide. Because of its dangers, radon testing is key in real estate negotiations. If high levels are found, the seller will need to either install a radon mitigation system or renegotiate the home’s price.
Testing
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air or pCi/L. The acceptable level of radon in your home is a maximum of 4pCi/L, but you should aim to get it under 2pCi/L to limit health risks associated with radon. The radon test should always occur at the lowest livable level of your home. For example, a basement instead of a crawlspace, and it is important to keep in mind that radon levels are higher in the winter months.
You can obtain an at-home radon test online, but it is highly recommended to get a professional radon inspection, especially if you are selling your home, as radon tests are key in real estate negotiations. The NRSB or NRPP must approve all radon tests.
Alt text: Basements are a prime location for radon–radon test real estate negotiations
Alt description: An unfinished basement. The floor is not solid, and there are cracks in the walls. A dangerous place for radon to accumulate.
Next Steps
If high levels of radon are found in your home, then it is time to get it out. Radon is not extremely expensive to remove. The first step should always be to seal cracks and holes to help prevent it from getting in in the first place. The most common system for removing radon is sub-slab depressurization, a very simple method that uses pipes and fans to push radon out of your home.
Continual Inspections
Radon can appear at any time, even if previous radon inspections were negative or low. It is highly recommended to get a yearly radon inspection to keep you and your family safe from the negative health risks associated with radon. Southwest Virginia is at a particularly high risk of dangerous radon levels, so it is even more important to keep up with yearly testing. Due to its prevalence in the area, radon tests are key in real estate negotiations in Roanoke.
Protect Your Family
If your home hasn’t had a recent radon inspection, don’t wait! A home with a certified radon inspection will sell for more money. Also, the health impacts of radon can be severe, and there is no way to detect it without a test. Reach out today to schedule your radon inspection and restore your peace of mind!