First-time home buyers have a lot to learn and worry about before purchasing a new home, from finding the right realtor, lender, and home itself to the time-consuming move process. It’s easy to miss something, especially when it’s not obvious or familiar. In Southwest Virginia, radon Inspections are one of the most essential overlooked necessities for a home buyer.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. As a noble gas, it’s relatively heavy and denser than most other gases that make up the air. That’s one reason why it’s often found in basements and the lower levels of homes.
The other reason Radon is more common in basements and cellars is that those areas are less likely to be ventilated and more likely to have contact with soil. Radon comes from the natural decomposition of uranium in soil, rocks, and other compounds.
You can also produce radon by burning coal, wood, and other fuels.
Why You Need SW Virginia Radon Inspections
The soil makeup in the Southwest Virginia region is naturally prone to producing Radon. The prevalence of older homes also means that there are more homes constructed before knowledge of Radon and its effects.
According to the American Lung Association, Southwest Virginia, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, Botetourt, Rocky Mount, and the many surrounding cities and counties, is in Zone 1 for Radon. Zone 1 has the highest incidence of occurrence, and 1 out of 4 homes here have Radon.
That means in SW VA, radon Inspections are critical!
Radon Dangers
Most people associate lung cancer and the American Lung Association with smoking. That makes sense because smoking is the number one cause of lung disease.
Do you have any guesses for number 2?
Unsurprisingly, the answer is Radon. And there is no safe level of Radon in the home.
Typically, there are no signs of radon toxicity until someone has had prolonged exposure. Between Radon’s difficulty to detect and the area’s high percentage of homes with Radon, Southwest Virginia radon inspections are vital for keeping your home and family safe.
Radon Mitigation
The best way to find out if your home has Radon is to hire a radon inspector, such as a licensed professionals at Detail View Home Inspections. We will test your home for radon levels so you know what you’re dealing with.
If you find out your home (or a home you’re considering purchasing) has Radon, it’s not a death sentence and doesn’t necessarily mean you should give up a place you have your heart set on. There are ways to mitigate radon.
The primary methods of radon mitigation are through ventilation and sealing the home from soil.
Finishing a basement and sealing cracks limits soil exposure. Improving ventilation further reduces risk.
One specific form of ventilation is a radon pump, explicitly designed to move Radon out of your home.
Living With Radon
Due to SW Virginia’s high prevalence of Radon, residents must remain vigilant of its dangers. Periodic testing for Radon is essential to ensure your home remains safe.
Call us for your Southwest Virginia Radon Inspections needs!
