But, but, but...
My home doesn’t have a basement
My home is on a slab on a grade
My home is really old
My home is brand new
My home is on top of a hill
My home sits on sandy soil
My neighbor’s house tested low
I can seal up all the cracks, and everything will be fine
My team and I, as home inspectors and radon testing technicians at HomePro Inspections, have heard most of the above rationalizations. Radon gas can be present in any structure, and the excuses above don’t justify not having your home tested. High radon gas levels are found in every state and province of North America. More than 50% of all the houses in Olmsted County and the surrounding areas of Southeastern Minnesota have elevated radon gas levels.
Performing radon testing on your home is the only way to know if you and your family are exposed to dangerous levels of radon gas.
Myth: I've lived in my home for a long time, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.
Fact: If you reduce your home's radon gas levels, you will reduce your risk of lung cancer, even if you have lived there for a long time.
Myth: Passive radon mitigation systems are good enough; I don’t need to do radon testing.
Fact: Passive systems are sometimes good enough if the radon gas levels are low enough. Radon testing is the only way to know if the system works effectively.
Myth: If my home has high radon gas levels, it will be hard to sell.
Fact: Taking action to fix a home's high radon gas levels can be a positive selling point and, in most cases, does not hinder a sale.
Myth: Radon testing is expensive, complex, and time-consuming.
Fact: Radon testing is relatively simple. Some people choose to test for radon themselves or hire a licensed radon testing company. Either way, it requires little effort and cost.
Myth: Radon testing kits are hard to find and are not accurate or reliable.
Fact: Radon testing kits are available from qualified testing companies online or at your favorite big-box hardware stores. Licensed radon testing companies can usually provide results within a week.
Myth: A radon gas problem in my home would be hard to fix.
Fact: Installing a radon mitigation system or adding a fan to a passive system in your home is relatively simple. Many reputable companies can bring radon gas levels in your home down to acceptable levels.
Myth: Radon gas only affects homes with basements.
Fact: The type of construction and foundation can affect radon gas levels. However, radon gas can be a problem in all kinds of homes. The geology, construction materials, foundation, and many other factors can affect radon gas levels in your home.
Myth: Radon gas is only a problem in other parts of the country.
Fact: Radon gas levels vary from area to area and state to state; however, high radon gas levels have been reported in every state and province of North America.
Myth: My neighbor had radon testing done on his home, and no radon was detected. My home should be okay.
Fact: Radon gas levels vary quite a bit from home to home. The only way to reliably know the level of radon gas in your home is to have it tested.
Myth: Scientists can’t seem to agree that radon gas is a health problem.
Fact: Some scientists will dispute the actual numbers related to radon gas deaths. The Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Health Organization all agree that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. Smokers are 21 times more likely to develop lung cancer when exposed to high levels of radon gas as compared to non-smokers.
Myth: Everyone should test the water in their home for radon gas.
Fact: Radon gas can enter homes through water use. However, high levels of radon gas in public water systems are extremely rare. The rule of thumb is that it takes 20,000 gallons of water to raise the radon gas level in a home by 1 pCi/l. If you have a private well, test kits are available to test for radon gas in your water.
Summary
Radon gas can enter your home regardless of the type of construction, and measures should be taken to make your home radon gas-resistant. The only way to know is to test your home for radon gas levels. Radon gas testing can be added to any home inspection or performed as a stand-alone service.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. A properly installed and maintained radon gas mitigation system will protect you and your family from unnecessary exposure to high radon gas levels. Any issues found are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.