January is National Radon Action Month, so it’s a great time to learn more about this gas and its impact. Whether you’re planning on selling your home, are buying one or have been living there for a while, you need regular radon testing. Here’s a closer look at why.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer death among nonsmokers. It comes from decaying uranium, which is present in soil, rocks and water, so it can appear in virtually any environment.
Despite its dangers and prominence, many people don’t test radon levels in their homes. This is a massive oversight for a number of reasons.
Is Radon Testing Really Necessary?
Homeowners often wonder if they really need to test for radon, so here are five reasons why you should order a professional test.
1. Radon Is Dangerous
The most important reason to test for radon is the gas is dangerous. Lung cancers stemming from the gas cause roughly 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S. There are also no safe levels of radon, so any amount of exposure can have damaging long-term health effects.
When you test radon levels, you ensure you’re safe from this threat. Without a test, you may not have any indication that such a hazard is present, so you may not take action to protect your health until it’s too late.
2. Radon Is Undetectable Without Testing
Even once you know what radon is and why it’s serious, you may still question if you need to check for it. However, there’s another important thing to note — you cannot detect radon without a test.
Radon is odorless and colorless, and it doesn’t typically create noticeable symptoms until the condition has progressed to a worrying point. Consequently, regular testing is the only way to know you’re not exposed. Considering the risks, you’ll want to take every precaution to stay alert and remain healthy.
3. Radon Can Enter Your Home From Many Sources
On top of being dangerous and undetectable without a test, radon is also widespread. The gas is present across the U.S., and in one seven-state test, one out of three homes had levels above the recommended concentrations. That’s far too common an issue to ignore.
Radon is so persistent because it can enter your home from many sources. Cracks in building materials and gaps in the foundation, joints, and other openings can lead the gas into your home from the surrounding soil. Some construction components may also contain trace amounts that leach into your house over time.
4. Testing Can Improve Your Home Value
Safety benefits aside, learning how to detect radon is good for your house’s value if you’re looking to sell. The law doesn’t require real estate inspections to test radon levels, but going the extra mile and doing so can impress prospective buyers. It shows a dedication to safety and thoroughness.
Boosting your value this way is also cost-effective. Because the buyer typically pays for the inspection, you don’t need to worry about paying for multiple tests. You only need to cover the smaller radon inspection while they handle everything else.
5. Professional Testing Is More Reliable
At this point, it should be clear that radon testing really is necessary and beneficial, but it’s important to distinguish between do-it-yourself and professional tests. While there are many off-the-shelf radon-detecting kits available today, getting an expert to handle it is a better way forward.
Various factors can interfere with a radon test, so human error is possible if you’re not an experienced professional. A reliable testing company will also have more sophisticated equipment, providing greater assurance of your home’s state. Given the extreme effects of radon exposure, it’s best to err on the side of caution and go with the pros.
Schedule Your Radon Testing Today
January may be National Radon Action Month, but this gas is a year-round threat. Once you understand the dangers it presents and how common it is, you should recognize why experts recommend testing. It’s a relatively quick and noninvasive process, but skipping over it can have dire consequences.
Regular radon testing is the only way to know you’re safe from this toxic gas and the cancers it can lead to. Whether selling, buying or staying put, you should schedule a test before long if you haven’t in a while.