If you are getting ready to buy or sell a home, radon should be among your concerns. It is also important to know about if you are a homeowner who plans to stay in your residence for the long term. Learning some fundamental facts can help you prepare and take the necessary steps to stay safe. 

1. What Is Radon and How Does It Get Into Your Home? 

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms in the ground due to the ongoing decay of uranium, radium or thorium, which are present in all rocks and soils. People cannot taste, see or smell radon, but it gets into the home through openings. The only way to detect it is with special tools. Since this is a naturally occurring gas, people cannot wholly prevent exposure to it. 

2. Why Is Radon Dangerous?

Radon is dangerous, but that is primarily the case when it comes through cracks and gaps in the home. Even so, this radioactive gas causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually, and approximately 2,900 of them are people who have never smoked. 

Additionally, studies showed a connection between lung cancer and residential radon exposure as early as 2005. Once radon gas leaves the soil, it naturally becomes part of the air and water, usually in quantities too small to be harmful. However, problems arise when people have ongoing or prolonged exposure to it. This most often occurs when occupants have radon issues in their homes and do not realize it.  

However, the dangers can extend beyond a home’s residents. Other people who regularly spend time there — such as babysitters, cleaners or tutors — could be at risk, too. Radon is also a threat to real estate agents, especially if they frequent many houses with unaddressed issues. 

3. How Can I Identify Radon Levels in My Home?

Your state may offer low-cost test kits to use yourself. Alternatively, you can consider hiring a professional to check the residence. That is also a good idea if you’ve run a test independently and want to confirm the results before taking further action. 

Although authorities agree that there is no safe amount of radon for a home, specifics indicate if you should get your residence fixed. Those details concern picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Relatedly, the particulars of radon disclosure, mitigation and residential certification vary by state. You should research which applies to you if you’re seriously considering buying or selling a home soon. 

Another challenging reality is that any home is potentially at risk for a radon problem. Factors such as age, draftiness or whether the residence has a basement do not necessarily impact the likelihood of issues. 

Numerous state and national sources indicate that mitigation should occur if your home has radon levels of 4 pCi/L or above. Many modern techniques can reduce it to 2 pCi/L or less, making it wise to take prompt action. 

4. What Should I Do if My Home Has High Radon Levels?

Learning that radon levels are too high in your house can feel unsettling. However, one of the most extensive but effective ways to curb radon is by installing a mitigation system. It uses a fan to pull radon from the soil and vent it through an outdoor pipe located near the edge of your roof. 

5. What Tips Are There to Mitigate Radon Exposure?

Although radon is the top reason nonsmokers get lung cancer, regularly opening the windows is a simple way to prevent gas buildup. If you cannot do that because they are nailed shut or broken, hire a window specialist to resolve the matter. 

Professionals can also use purposeful products, such as those that seal cracks in concrete that would otherwise allow radon into the home. The extent of measures taken typically depends on the results of professional testing. Get guidance from the technician you hire and listen to recommendations about the problem and how much it will cost to fix it. It is also wise to understand how much the selected mitigation measures will likely lower the current concentration. 

6. Which Radon-Related Procedures Must I Do as a Buyer or Seller?

The United States does not currently have federal regulations dictating radon exposures. That also means that state-specific requirements for buyers and sellers differ depending on your location. 

For example, some sellers must disclose known radon levels during their home transactions. In other cases, buyers will decide to test for the gas during prepurchase inspections. If you are considering a purchase and unsure if the residence has been tested, ask the seller before proceeding. It is a good idea to learn about the specifics in your state rather than making assumptions that could either prolong the sale or result in you regretting your decision. 

Radon Is a Residential Safety Concern 

Although radon is a common danger in today’s homes, testing for and mitigating it is straightforward. If your results show the levels are too high, effective measures exist that can help you make lasting changes to improve occupant well-being.

Protect your home and loved ones with Colorado’s most trusted and referred radon mitigation experts! Schedule your radon test and mitigation service today to ensure a safer, healthier living environment. Contact us today!

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