Have you ever skipped a radon test when buying a house just to save some extra money? This is actually not a good idea and can be very harmful in the long run. Radon is a gas released by the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Radon gas is radioactive, making it extremely destructive to your health when you’re around it for long periods of time. Radon enters the home through cracks in the foundation and accumulates in the lower levels. Check out these 5 reasons why a radon test is essential to protect your health.
- Radon is colorless and odorless, making it extremely difficult to detect. You can be exposed to radon for years and never know it, even if the radiation is affecting you. The only way to know for sure that your home is safe is to have a test.
- Radon can be deadly. When exposed to radon over longer periods of time, you are at a greater risk of developing cancer. In fact, radon poisoning is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the first cause among non-smokers! The EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year can be attributed to radon poisoning.
- Two houses build right next to each other with the same construction and builder can still have completely different radon levels. There is no way to know for sure that a home is radon-free until it has a professional test, and this test should be repeated over time. A home that has a radon mitigation systems requires less testing, but still does need to be tested, as there’s no way to make sure it’s actually working without an air test.
- Just because a home is on a slab doesn’t mean it’s radon-free. In fact, the highest reading our radon technician has ever found was on a slab home. It’s a huge misconception that slab homes don’t need to be tested. Radon can be found anywhere and can accumulate in the first level of the home even without a basement present.
- Radon levels are very high in central Indiana. Check out this map to see which counties are at a higher risk for radon:
It’s crucial to have the radon tested in your home, whether it is newly built or 100 years old. Radon exposure can lead to lung cancer due to high levels of radiation, and in some cases can be fatal. If you do find radon in your home, it’s best to contact a mitigation company to correct the high levels. They will typically install a radon mitigation system, which can vary in price but tends to run $800 to $1500.
Another great reason to have your home tested is that we offer a discounted rate when you add-on a radon test to your home inspection! Call (317)815-9497 for pricing and more information about our radon inspections.
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