What To Know About Radon When Buying a Home

Homebuyers have plenty of things to look for when it comes to buying a home. They want to know what features it has, how many bedrooms are present, if it has laundry hookups, and so much more. However, something that more potential buyers may want to pay attention to is if a home is at an increased risk of radon exposure.

Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that’s fairly commonplace in many homes. Today, Affordable Radon Services is here to teach you what to know about radon when buying a home and how it can affect your new living space.

Why Radon Matters to Your Health

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when naturally occurring chemicals break down in common aspects of a home’s foundation, like soil or rocks. These elements are found in varying concentrations across the globe, meaning every property could potentially host radon in the home, though it’s typically more common in homes with basements.

The problems start when radon builds up indoors and can’t safely dissipate into the atmosphere. Radon can seep into your home through any openings in the foundation, but the most common entry points are cracks in walls and foundations, gaps in service pipes, construction joints, and cavities within walls. Radon can saturate the indoor air, making it a toxic hazard we unknowingly breathe in daily. Prolonged radon exposure can lead to respiratory issues and even lung cancer.

When and How To Test for Radon

Given the potential risk, the question isn’t if but when you should test for radon. Fortunately, testing is simple and affordable. Short-term tests are a quick way to screen a home’s radon levels. These tests usually remain in the lowest livable part of a home for two to 90 days, depending on the device manufacturer’s guidance.

Something to know about radon when buying a home is that it can linger, and radon levels may change by the day or by the season. Thankfully, long-term tests are more accurate and should remain in the house for more than 90 days. While homebuyers are usually more inclined to invest in faster detection methods, long-term tests are recommended for their preciseness.

If the test indicates high levels of radon, hiring a professional to conduct a detailed radon measurement on the property is the next prudent step.

Mitigating Radon in Your New Home

If your potential new home does have high radon levels, there’s still hope. Radon mitigation systems are highly effective at reducing concentrations in the home. These systems use ventilation to remove radon from the soil before it can enter the home, essentially creating a vacuum at the foundation to draw radon away.

Don’t allow the silent threat of radon to compromise the safety of your dream home. Affordable Radon Services is here to ensure your peace of mind with our highly effective radon mitigation systems in Colorado.

Whether you’re buying a new home or looking to ensure your current residence is radon-free, we’re here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect your home and your health.