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No home inspection is complete without a thorough testing for Radon gas. And this doesn't just benefit the buyer, it can benefit anyone living in a home, whether they're selling or not.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is formed through the natural decay of uranium in soil, rocks and ground water. Radon from the soil enters into a home through small openings such as: cracks in concrete, floor drains, wall/floor joints in basements, and the pores in hollow block walls.
Because it's a heavy gas, radon can generally be detected in the areas of a home closest to the ground, decreasing as you move higher up within the home. Testing is the only means to determine whether or not a home contains a high level of radon. Since homes near each other may have differing levels of radon, buyers shouldn't rely on radon results taken in other homes within the neighborhood to estimate the radon level of a home. While radon may be more or less common from one area to another, any home may have a high level of radon.
Radon is a real health risk. Prolonged exposure could lead to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Radon gas releases radioactive particles that circulate in the air and, as you breathe these particles, they can become trapped in your lungs and damage lung tissue. This damage can cause lung cancer
As you can probably see, radon testing isn't just important to a buyer. And because home owners can have an inspection performed (with the proper radon-testing kits) that is far more thorough than the short-term testing that can be performed during the real estate transaction, it can be equally as important to a home owner as well.
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