A radon inspection can be such a critical inspection to invest in for your home, mostly since a standard home inspection doesn’t usually cover it. A professional radon inspection may not be something that you even realized is essential, but it can be crucial to ensuring that your family is safe and healthy in your new home. It’s also recommended that you get this inspection when you sell your house to remedy any problems before the potential buyer gets their inspection.

What is Radon, and Why is a Radon Inspection Important?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas resulting from uranium breaking down, a colorless, tasteless, and odorless, radioactive gas, making it very dangerous for humans. On a routine basis, we encounter this substance, and it doesn’t pose a threat. However, prolonged exposure within your home can pose potential health risks for you and your family, a known carcinogen, which is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The problem is that it’s practically impossible to predict which types of homes in what areas are more likely to have radon in the house. This problem has been found in various homes across the country, meaning that it’s essential to test your home when you buy a new one or when you sell it.

Some factors have a higher risk of radon in the home, such as:

  • Location: There are areas like the Appalachian Mountains and the Upper Midwest that are more likely to have higher radon rates. The EPA has a map with those higher-risk locations.
  • Foundation Type: Exposed crawl spaces or homes with basements with dirt floors are more likely to have radon.
  • Damaged Foundation/Construction Gaps: If there are cracks in the foundation or other construction gaps, radon can seep into the home.
  • Well Water: Groundwater can also have radon.

Lowering Radon Levels

If your inspection shows high levels of radon in the home, there are things that you can do that will help lower the levels. These repairs include:

  • Fix any foundation cracks, other construction gaps, and construction joints by using polyurethane caulk.
  • If your home has a sump pump, find an airtight cover that fits on it to install over it.
  • If your basement has a dirt floor or a crawl space with dirt, get polyurethane plastic sheeting with at least six mil thickness and tightly install it against the wall.

Conclusion

A radon inspection can let you know whether your home has dangerous radon levels that can pose a risk to the health of the residents of the house. A professional appraisal is an excellent investment because they can adequately collect the information and give you a detailed report about your home’s radon levels. They can also give you great insight into the things you can do to reduce your home levels.