Radon Mitigation Checklist for Home Buyers

When you are purchasing a house there are tons of things that you have to check. It may appear to be your dream house but if things aren't found during the inspection, it can be a nightmare. Radon is one of the issues that we recommend you check before you close on a house. In order to help you, we have put together this Radon Mitigation Checklist for Home Buyers.

Radon Mitigation Checklist For Home Buyers

The American Society of Home Inspectors worked with the EPA to develop a checklist for potential home owners. It can help them understand the benefits of radon testing and mitigation in the home buying process. First, it is important to understand the dangers of radon gas. This radioacitve gas is formed when uranium decays in soil. It then enters your home and as we breathe it in, can become a health hazard. In fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that radon exposure levels of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) carries serious carcinogenic risks. This is called an action level. It means that if your home is equal to or higher than 4, the recommend you take action immediately.

However, we will walk you through highlights to help you understand it.

Does the home have a mitigation system?

The first question asked is if the home has a active radon mitigation system, a passive radon mitigation system or no radon mitigation system of any kind. An active radon mitigation system consists of pipes connected to a fan that pulls the radon from below the foundation and vents it out into the air. A passive radon mitigation system has everything an active system has except for the fan that pulls the air out. These are installed in the building process and sometimes, although not always, are enough to keep radon levels below the recommended action level.

No matter the answer to this question, the first step is ALWAYS going to be testing for radon. If you have a system, be it active or passive, you want to make sure it is working properly. If you don't have a system, you should test to make sure your radon levels are not elevated. During a real estate transaction, testing has to be done by a certified radon company. They should set the test and pick it up for you after it completes.

The checklist goes on to do an actual system checklist. It can be complicated but a specialist from Utah Radon Services can help you with this if your home has a system. Click here to download the radon mitigation checklist for home buyers. Then call the specialists at Utah Radon Seravices. We will quickly help you test the home so it doesn't slow down your buying process. Fill out the form on this page or call us at 801-871-0715 today.