Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can seep into your home from the ground and cause lung cancer. But before you panic, know this: radon testing for homes is inexpensive and easy to do. It’s also essential because the EPA estimates that one out of every 15 American homes has high radon levels. That means there are about 2 million homes with elevated radon in them right now, with no one even knowing it.
Radon can seep into your home through cracks and openings and become trapped inside. It’s difficult to detect without testing because there aren’t many signs. Typically, you won’t smell anything. So, when should you call a professional to conduct radon testing?
If you notice that your grass is dead and there’s a strange odor in your home, chances are something might be wrong with the foundation of your house -- like radon. Although these could be signs of another issue, such as leaking pipes or poor drainage, it doesn’t hurt to get everything checked out.
There are no set guidelines for preventing radon from seeping into new homes during construction yet, so if you’re building a new home or want to prevent radon from entering yours during remodeling efforts, test your home before moving in. Radon levels can change year after year depending on the amount of soil and water around the house and weather conditions.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas and radiation that can cause lung cancer over time if you’re exposed to it regularly, so why not prevent it from entering your home in the first place? A simple test before moving in will tell you whether or not you need to start planning for mitigation.
Radon testing for homes isn’t mandatory, but if you already have radon in your home, that’s another story. If you happen to find out about it due to an EPA study of your area or some other discovery, then you should call a professional to test your home and get rid of it immediately.
If you plan to sell your home, it makes sense to get a radon test done before putting it on the market. It might be hard to convince buyers that there’s not an issue with radon in your home if they do their own testing and find high levels of the gas inside.
You probably know whether or not you have evidence of a current or past issue: if your health has been affected by lung cancer or COPD, or you know someone around who has been affected by these diseases, then it’s probably time to get your home tested.
A radon test is often required for homeowner’s insurance, so unless you get it done before filing your claim, you might be out of luck when it comes time to collect benefits. If testing isn’t mandatory in your area yet, at least getting the home tested will lower your premium as most insurance companies charge higher rates for homes with elevated radon levels.
If you happen to live within a community that has already been tested for radon, then it’s probably a good idea to get your test done. If one or two homes in the neighborhood show high levels of gas, chances are there will be others as well, and if those levels are above normal, you could be at risk.
You should consider getting your home tested for radon if there is any indication that the gas might be present or if you are planning to remodel or sell. Not only can it save your life, but it could also save you money both in the short term and long term. If you live in Knoxville, TN, contact National Property Inspections for all your radon testing needs. We also offer commercial inspections, mold testing, and termite inspection.
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