You can't see, taste or smell it, but it can pose a serious threat to your family's health.
Radon can seep into your home from underground and build up to a dangerous level if trapped indoors.
The winter season is a good time to check for radon because most people are spending more time indoors but every home should be tested regardless of whether it's a new home, an old home, or if it's been tested before.
Here are some quick facts about radon:
It's a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth.
It enters the home through cracks in floors and walls and becomes trapped inside.
Radon levels then build up over time.
It is present in nearly all air.
However, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, people who inhale high levels of radon are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
The presence of radon in the home is preventable.
You can find out if you have radon in your home with a test sold at your local hardware store.
The testing is easy and inexpensive, usually less than $25.
Make sure to check that the test meets EPA requirements and follow the directions carefully.
Most tests take two days.
After the test, you typically seal the detector back in the package and mail it to a lab.
Run the test in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy.
Because radon levels fluctuate, the EPA recommends a follow up test before fixing your home.
If the second test confirms high levels of radon, (4 pCi/L or higher) choose a qualified radon contractor to fix your home.
If you decide to do the
work yourself, check first with the EPA on training courses and information.
You should test for radon every couple of years or every time you remodel your home.
It's also recommended that if you are buying or selling a home, that you test it for radon.
If you're building a new home, there are features that can be incorporated into your home to reduce radon levels.
If you are interested in finding a qualified radon service professional to test or fix your radon problem, here's what you need to know:
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Choose a contractor to fix a radon problem just as you would choose someone to do other home repairs.
- Get more than one estimate in person because every house is different.
- Find someone
who will stand by the work and service it.
- Find a contractor who promotes post-mitigation testing.
Installing a radon control system normally takes one day.
The cost vary from $700-$1,500.
For more information on contractors, check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website at
www.epa.gov.
Many states certify or license radon contractors.
Call your state health or environmental management agency's radon office for information about qualified service providers in your state.
Home Inspections
A home inspection is an important step in the home buying process.
According to a 2007 poll of Angie’s List members, 30 percent said their home inspector’s oversights ended up becoming a major expense down the road.
Some of the costly mistakes included mold, asbestos, termites, leaking roofs, even rats on one member’s property!
Angie’s List talked to home inspectors as well.
They shared their stories about the unusual situations they’ve come across.
In Denver, an inspector found a section of a home being held up by a car jack.
A Charlotte home inspector discovered sewage backing up into the air conditioning vents of one home and in Portland an inspector found a skeleton from a home built on an Indian burial ground.
Home inspections are typically the “last look” a buyer will get before making what will be their largest single investment.
It’s important to take the time to find a qualified, experienced professional who is going to do a comprehensive inspection that you can rely on.
Among the attributes consumers should look for in an inspector, that he or she is knowledgeable about housing stock; can write well enough for others to easily understand the findings; and that he or she is willing to explain the process and findings from the report.
Angie's List.
has put together its own list to help consumers:
• Do your homework:
Angie’s List can provide you with experiences other members have
had with local home inspectors.
Ask to see proof of state certification or proof of membership in the National Associations of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) www.nachi.org, National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) www.nahi.org or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
www.ashi.org.
Licensing: Ask to see proof of licensing if your state requires home inspectors to be licensed.
Insurance: Ask to see proof of general liability insurance as well as and errors and omission (E&O) insurance.
Experience: Both NAHI and ASHI require a minimum of 250 inspections, however most experienced professionals will say it’s better to find someone who’s performed at least 1,000 inspections and has at least three-to-five years of full-time experience.
• Get involved:
While it’s not required that you attend the inspection, you should attend the inspection to discuss expectations and findings.
Typically, a home inspection takes about two to four hours.
• Know what to look for.
This includes structural problems; roof damage; fire hazards, such as improperly vented chimney flues; electrical safety issues, including old wiring; and problems with plumbing and major appliances, like the HVAC system and hot water heater.
Inspectors should physically crawl the attic and crawl space, if possible, rather than just taking a quick look around from the opening or doorway.
• Read the report:
Many inspectors provide the report the same day as the inspection.
The report should be thorough and easy to understand and should include narrative accounts of the inspector’s findings that are specific to your house, along with pictures and diagrams.
Keep in mind that few houses are perfect, so you should expect some issues to be found.
Depending on the severity of the findings, ask your seller to either fix the problems or reduce the selling price.
• Home inspections aren’t just necessary for old homes: Newer homes can have just as many problems as an older home.
And, if you are building a home, inspections at key points during construction should be a part of the process.
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