Home Inspection and Radon Testing
Irrespective of whether you are selling a home or buying it, home inspection is always an important factor not to miss. There are always issues and problems that you never know that exist. If you are buying a residential or a commercial property in the U.S. then the presence of Radon gas on the property can certainly catch you by surprise. Though according to the periodic table Radon is an inert gas, but as the heaviest of all inert gases found naturally, it also shows radioactive properties. In many parts of the country the natural breaking down of uranium present in the soil or the rocks produce the Radon gas which then emits through the cracks in the foundation and structure of the building.
According to a report published in the year 2005, Radon gas trapped inside US homes is the second major cause of lung cancer in the country, and exposure to Radon for a long period of time can cause a number of other serious medical conditions. Therefore, Radon testing is of great importance in real estate deals in the U.S. It requires a simple test to detect its presence in the property you intend to buy or sell, and the problem can be easily fixed with established and easy venting techniques.
Though it might sound strange, but it is highly possible that you can get exposed to Radon right in the comforts of your home. Thus, if you have not undertaken a home inspection during the last few years, it is high time that you should oblige a seasoned home inspector. Since, the exposure of Radon gas begins to show on people in 2 years time, therefore to protect yourself and your family you should immediately get your house inspected, if you have not done so far.
The lowest levels of your home like the basement should be checked first for the presence of Radon, followed by the rooms on the ground floor. For Radon is heavier than most naturally occurring gases, and therefore it stays closer to the ground - within a range of five to ten feet from the ground level and that makes people more vulnerable to radon exposure in their homes.
By accurately following the testing protocols of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) you can conduct a Radon testing at your home by yourself. Alternatively, you can also higher a qualified individual or contractor for safety and also for more accurate results. Finding a Radon tester might not be difficult, since most home inspection firms in the country now include radon testing in their inspection process. Furthermore, you can opt for this value added service by paying an additional price. If you think that a complete home inspection is not required and only a Radon testing will suffice for the moment, then you can opt for an independent Radon tester who will conduct radon testing exclusively, and will also cost you less.
In a few U.S. states disclosure of Radon testing report to potential buyers has been made mandatory, and that also includes all pre-listing home inspections. As per the EPA guidelines a prospective buyer can accept a previously conducted Radon testing report or ask the property seller to conduct a new testing by qualified Radon testers, if he/she wishes. If a customer finds that the previous radon testing report is more than a couple of years old then asking for a new test report makes a good sense, as you should better not take any chance with it.
According to a report published in the year 2005, Radon gas trapped inside US homes is the second major cause of lung cancer in the country, and exposure to Radon for a long period of time can cause a number of other serious medical conditions. Therefore, Radon testing is of great importance in real estate deals in the U.S. It requires a simple test to detect its presence in the property you intend to buy or sell, and the problem can be easily fixed with established and easy venting techniques.
Though it might sound strange, but it is highly possible that you can get exposed to Radon right in the comforts of your home. Thus, if you have not undertaken a home inspection during the last few years, it is high time that you should oblige a seasoned home inspector. Since, the exposure of Radon gas begins to show on people in 2 years time, therefore to protect yourself and your family you should immediately get your house inspected, if you have not done so far.
The lowest levels of your home like the basement should be checked first for the presence of Radon, followed by the rooms on the ground floor. For Radon is heavier than most naturally occurring gases, and therefore it stays closer to the ground - within a range of five to ten feet from the ground level and that makes people more vulnerable to radon exposure in their homes.
By accurately following the testing protocols of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) you can conduct a Radon testing at your home by yourself. Alternatively, you can also higher a qualified individual or contractor for safety and also for more accurate results. Finding a Radon tester might not be difficult, since most home inspection firms in the country now include radon testing in their inspection process. Furthermore, you can opt for this value added service by paying an additional price. If you think that a complete home inspection is not required and only a Radon testing will suffice for the moment, then you can opt for an independent Radon tester who will conduct radon testing exclusively, and will also cost you less.
In a few U.S. states disclosure of Radon testing report to potential buyers has been made mandatory, and that also includes all pre-listing home inspections. As per the EPA guidelines a prospective buyer can accept a previously conducted Radon testing report or ask the property seller to conduct a new testing by qualified Radon testers, if he/she wishes. If a customer finds that the previous radon testing report is more than a couple of years old then asking for a new test report makes a good sense, as you should better not take any chance with it.
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