More and more informed buyers are having radon tests performed when considering the purchase of a home or office building. If an elevated concentration of radon is found, don’t worry! Radon reducation technology has improved greatly over the last few years, making the reduction of radon easy and affordable. If you like a home, buy it – the radon can be reduced!
Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas created from natural deposits of uranium in the soil. Radon gas can be drawn into a building and accumulate to concentrations that can cause a health concern. Finding high levels of radon in the home has nothing to do with the age, quality or upkeep of the home.
Surverys conducted by the Michigan Department of Public Health indicate that about 12% of the homes in Michigan are in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action level of 4.0 picoCurie per liter (pCi/L). The only way to tell if a home has elevated levels of radon is to have the home tested. This is easy to do and we are certified by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) to do these tests.
Reliable reduction techniques have been developed that will effectively control radon in buildings. Finding a home with a radon system already installed is a plus. Having one installed is affordable, reduces radon and can enhance future resale value.
If you find a home you like, but it has a radon problem, don’t give up and look for another home. Houses in the same area will probably also have radon concerns as well, because radon is associated with the rocks and soils. Radon can be reduced! Just like a water drainage concern can be fixed with a sump, or a leaky roof can be replaced, a radon system can be installed to reduce the radon and at a far less cost than these other home repairs. A radon system will actively draw the radon from beneath the home and exhaust it outside.
Of the problems that house can have, radon is one of the most easy to identify and fix!
If you are interested in a home that either has an existing radon reduction system, or tests have shown that a radon system may be warranted, rest assured that your dream home will only be improved by a radon system. In fact, it has been shown that radon mitigation systems have additional benefits beyond reducing radon, such as reducing molds and mildews to which some people are allergic.
Ask about radon before you buy or build!
A reduction system consists of plastic pipe connected to the soil wither through a hole in a slab, via a sump lid connection, or beneath a plastic sheet in a crawl space. Attached to the pipe is a quiet, continuously operating fan that discharges the radon outdoors.
Average Installation Cost: $ 1,200.00
Average Operating Cost: $ 3.00/month
Expected Life Span of Fan: 11 Years
Fan Replacement Cost: $145.00 – $300.00
Periodic Maintenance: None
Sealing floor cracks will NOT take care of the problem. Sealing floor cracks to keep radon out is as difficult as sealing floors and walls to keep water from seeping in. To control radon in an existing home, a collection system is installed to draw radon from the soil (like a sump collects water) and exhaust it to a safe location outside of the home. These radon reduction systems are called Active Soil De-pressurization Systems.
For more information or to set up a radon screening, call us at 353.9000.
