On the long list of items home buyers and sellers alike worry about during a home inspection, radon usually slips through the cracks. But just as looking into the roof or the foundation of your home is essential for your safety, so is testing for radon. Here’s what you need to know about radon testing and its importance when buying or selling your home.
What is Radon?
First things first: what is radon? Radon is a dangerous, naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can seep into a house through tiny holes or cracks. Because it is found in the soil, radon can enter your home in many different ways that aren’t the homeowner’s fault. Radon can be found anywhere, and in fact, 1 out of 15 homes is estimated to have dangerously elevated radon levels. While it is most likely to occur in basements and other low-lying areas, it can be found anywhere within your home. Radon isn’t something you can see or smell, so it’s impossible to know if your home has elevated levels of radon unless testing is performed.
Why Should I Do Radon Testing?
Radon can affect your health in negative ways. It has caused nearly 20,000 deaths a year from lung cancer. According to the EPA, the Surgeon General has even warned that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. You and your family are certainly at risk for health complications if your home has elevated levels of radon.
Radon testing is recommended for all homes to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer as a result of radon exposure. The EPA suggests radon testing all homes every two years, regardless of whether your home has been mitigated for radon or not. If your home’s radon levels are unknown, if you are performing any major renovations, or if you’re preparing to buy or sell, radon testing is imperative for the safety of the home’s inhabitants.
How EEHI Can Help You
Brett Kaiser from Eagle Eye Home Inspection is certified by the State of Ohio Department of Health as a licensed Radon Mitigation Specialist. To guarantee accuracy and efficiency, hire a professional to perform the necessary radon testing for your home. Eagle Eye Home Inspection not only offers radon gas testing to homeowners in Northeast Ohio but radon gas mitigation as well. Eagle Eye Home Inspection values quality work and fast turnaround times because your health is important to us.
Brett Kaiser is also an InterNACHI® Certified Professional Inspector CPI® and is required to pass an Inspector Exam, follow comprehensive Standards of Practice, abide by a strict Code of Ethics, and take accredited Continuing Education courses each year in order to maintain his membership in good standing. Trust that your home, and the health of your loved ones, are in good hands with Brett Kaiser from Eagle Eye Home Inspection. For more information about radon gas testing and mitigation services, contact EEHI now!
