What is Radon and why should we test for it when buying a home?
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and can get into your home through cracks or other holes in the foundation. Your home can trap and accumulate radon causing the levels to be elevated within your home.
The average outdoor air has a radon level of 0.4 pCi/L and the average indoor air has a radon level of 1.3 pCi/L. The long term goal of Congress is to have the indoor air quality match the outdoor quality. At the present time, the technology is not available to accomplish this. There are new construction methods that are designed to prevent radon from entering the home.
Nearly one in 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have an elevated radon level (> 4 pCi/L).
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and you cannot see or smell radon in a home. Testing is the only way to know if your home has high levels of radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes for radon.
Never rely on radon test results taken from other homes in the neighborhood. Homes which are next to each other can have different indoor radon levels. Also, even if the home you are buying was previously tested for radon, you should consider a retest if:
* The test was not performed within the last two years.
* The home was renovated or significantly changes to the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system were made since the last test.
* You plan to occupy the basement.
* If you have any reason to suspect that the test was not done properly or the results were borderline.
If the radon level comes back elevated, don't panic. Radon mitigation systems are relatively inexpensive and highly effective.
You can also have radon in your well water, it should also be treated either with a point of entry system (recommended) or a point of use system. There is more risk from the radon that is released in the air from water usage than from ingesting the water directly.
If you are considering a move, please call us at (215) 513-1333.
~Lisa
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
Why Test for Radon? - Copyright © 2011, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213
