Radon Inspection

Radon Inspection

What is Radon?

Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless radioactive gas that emits from the ground and can build up in your home. High levels of radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 21,000 people die per year due to radon exposure.

Radon starts out as Uranium (U) and is estimated to take 4.4 billion years before turning into Radium – 226 (Ra) before eventually becoming Radon – 222 (Rn) approximately 1600 years later. Radon – 222 (Rn) only lasts for about 3 days but its during that time where it emits up through the ground and finds its way into your house. Once in your house Radon – 222 (Rn) attaches itself to dust particles floating around until it changes forms again and becomes Polonium or is inhaled and attaches to your lungs.

Give us a call today to have our certified home inspector complete a radon inspection for you!

Testing for Radon

There are many methods of testing for radon but one of the most common ways is using a continuous radon monitor. A continuous radon monitor is placed in the home and continuously runs for a minimum of 48 hours. Continuous Radon Monitors must be re-calibrated at a minimum of every 12 months or every 1000 hours of usage.

So What if the Home has Radon? 

The EPA recommends you take action if a home is found to have a reading of 4pCi/L or more. In most cases, a vent is installed under the foundation or in the crawl space that emits directly to the outdoors. The vent creates a low-pressure area attracting the gas and giving a clear path to the outdoors. A Radon Vent can cost between $800 to $2,500.00+

Learn More about Radon

To learn more about Radon and its health effects please click here. Due to the high levels of radon in Jefferson, Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Morgan, and Grant County, West Virginia, our certified home inspector recommends that every home test for radon and make efforts to reduce the amount of radon emitting into homes. A radon inspection is the only way to ensure your home is free from Radon gas, as radon is an odorless, colorless gas that you cannot detect on your own. 

Schedule Your Inspection Today