Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the water and soil that surrounds your home. When your home is not constructed properly, radon gas can seep in through cracks in the foundation and get trapped inside. This process puts your family in danger, especially since the constant inhalation of radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. For this reason, it’s important that people looking to purchase a home choose a home inspector who offers radon testing services. Here are three important reasons why you may want to rethink skipping radon testing during the home inspection process:
1. Even if you are purchasing a newly constructed home, you need to be aware that your builder may not have installed any radon-resistant features in the home. Consequently, radon gases can still seep into and become trapped in your home. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that all homes, regardless of age, are tested for radon during the home inspection.
2. It’s possible for potential home buyers to purchase a kit that will allow them to do the radon testing themselves. However, many people don’t realize that there is special equipment involved. If you fail to follow directions or use the equipment properly, you’ll end up jeopardizing the results. Even if you get clear results, you may not understand how to interpret them. A home inspector that specializes in radon testing can help you ensure that it’s done properly and explain the results to you once the test is over.
3. If you do the radon testing yourself, have you thought about what you’ll do if it turns out that you have dangerous levels of radon in your home? It’s vital that you know what to do after you’ve gotten your results. The home inspector who tests your radon levels will be able to give you specific recommendations on what you can do to lower the radon levels in your home. Home Inspection in Chicago is serious business, especially when it comes to radon testing. Making the extra effort to make sure that your home is properly tested will be well worth it, as you’ll be able to rest easy and have confidence in the fact that your family will be safe and sound in your beautiful new home.
