What Is Radon and Do You Need a Home Radon Test?

What Is Radon?

For those who remember their days in chemistry class, radon is an element that appears on the periodic table of elements. Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. When uranium, thorium, and radium (other naturally occurring elements) break down in soil, rocks, and water, radon gas is formed.

As a gas, radon can seep up through the ground and enter homes through cracks in foundations, walls, and porous materials. When radon decays, or breaks down, it produces radiation. The gas and radiation can become trapped inside buildings where the air does not circulate as well as the outdoors. Breathing in radon gas can have serious health consequences. According to the CDC, “Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoke.”

In Colorado Springs, we have a lot of granite in our soil. As the granite rock decays it releases radon. Some homes have a higher exposure than others based on the composition of the soil underneath. Your home could have a high reading while your neighbor has a relatively low reading. When you buy a home with us, we will always recommend you add a radon test to your home inspection.

Who Can Test for Radon?

At-home radon test kits can be purchased online and in hardware stores. However, we highly advise everyone to use a professional. To test for the presence of radon an inspector must be certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). Many, but not all, home inspectors offer radon testing as an add-on service to your home inspection. We refer home inspectors who are certified so you know you are working with a trusted professional.

How Is Radon Mitigated?

Radon is mitigated (or reduced) by the installation of a radon mitigation system. This system is often installed at the location of a sump pump. If there is no sump pump, a hole is dug inside a crawlspace or into the foundation. A pipe runs from the opening in the ground out through an exterior wall, often to roof height. The ground hole is then sealed to prevent radon gas from leaking up through the opening. The exterior penetration site is also sealed to prevent water and pest instruction.

Fans inside the system suck in air and gases from the ground under your home and push them through the pipe to the outside of your home. This prevents high amounts of radon from leaking into your home and becoming trapped where you can breathe it in. If installing a system after the purchase of your home, we can recommend radon mitigation companies who will do the best job of installing a safe and secure radon system.

When to Take Action

Radon gas is found both indoors and outdoors. Although you can’t remove all the radon from your home, you should aim to have the lowest possible reading. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends installing a mitigation system if the radon reading is 4.0 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher.

During a radon test, the inspector will set up a machine that will take samples of the air every hour for 48 hours. It is important to keep windows and doors shut during this time to not compromise the air samples. Radon readings are typically higher in the Winter when homes are more closed off from outside air. The samples are then sent to an approved lab for testing. If the average reading comes close to or is above 4.0 pCi/L you should install a radon mitigation system.

Do You Need to Test for Radon?

No one requires you to have a radon test – but we highly encourage you to. Given the health risks involved with exposure to radon gas we always recommend our clients hire a professional to test for radon. If the result is higher than the EPA minimum, we can negotiate with the seller to have a radon system installed. Negotiating seller concessions for the future installment of a radon system is another option if you’d like to hire and oversee the work yourself. Either way, we will get you what you need to feel safe and comfortable in your home.

Trusted Service Providers

We only work with service providers who provide the best quality experience for our clients. Whether you are in need of a home inspector, sewer scope, radon test, or anything else, we’ve got you covered. Ready to talk about home buying? Contact us to get the conversation started!