Understanding Colorado Home Radon Information
Funny thing. Frequently I meed first time home buyers. They are very excited. They have a general idea of what they can afford, but still need to do the loan process. That’s more common than you might imagine. And not the funny thing. Other times, I meet home buyers and they thought that was the house of their dreams, but after really going into a few homes (and not just looking at shiny online websites), they decide this one over here is the house of their dreams. Also common, also not the funny thing. Radon information is not funny or sexy or top of mind when it comes to buying a home. But it sure is helpful to understand!
In fact, the funny thing is, many home buyers in Colorado have never heard of Radon gas. They have no idea what it is, although the name sometimes does sound a tad frightful. So what in the heck is this gas? What Colorado home radon information is necessary as you start of the process of purchasing your new dream home? And if it is present, what’s next?
Atomic Number 86
Radon is a colorless tasteless natural element. It forms deep in the Earth’s crust and then moves slowly upwards. It has a tendency to gather in the lowest living levels of a home. And if in your primary living space, can have an impact on your health. So Radon, especially in Colorado, is something to be taken seriously.
Easy Fix If Present
Taken seriously, but not something that will scuttle a transaction. Radon is simple to mitigate. Of course, as regulations change, remember to update your radon mitigation system. Generally speaking, radon can be mitigated in an average home for less than $1,000. Now of course, someone is bound to call me and say it cost more than that. But, on average, it’s not that expensive to get rid of.
The Best Time To Test and Other Pertinent Radon Information
The best time to test is when you are purchasing your house. Tests are most effective in the winter. So even if you tested as part of a home inspection, you may want to test again when temps fall and houses are naturally sealed up. If your test comes back with a score of greater than 4.0 picocuries per liter, you need mitigation.
Radon forms naturally in bedrock. It drifts upwards and is captured in living spaces. It is straightforward to mitigate – generally – and once addressed is of no harm. It doesn’t leave a trace in your house when properly mitigated. Of course, retest after it’s been fixed to be sure!
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates twenty thousand cases of cancer annually are result of radon exposure. Considering all it takes is a ventilation system to overcome, this should be a non-issue. And then again, it comes up all the time. Many owners are just flat out unaware until a test shows an elevated level present.
Fact: The US EPA says radon is the second leading cause of cancer. Be sure to test your home!
Most Colorado inspection companies can test at the time of your home inspection. It takes a couple of days and requires home owners to keep their homes sealed. This can be challenging in the summertime when temps soar, especially for owners without air conditioning. Of course, in the wintertime, homes are sealed up, a good time to test.
Home Owners can acquire a single use test that is mailed off to a lab for results. Simply set the test, wait the prescribed time limit, and mail off. These tests are available locally and online. Try McGuckins, they have everything!
Test results of 4.0 pCi/L or higher indicate a need for radon mitigation.
Radon can be present in new or old homes, brick or frame built. It really has little to do with the structure and more whether the gas is floating up and past your property.
Remember To Seal Property When Testing For Radon
This is important for an air quality test. Usually it takes just a few days to get a good sample (follow the instructions on your test kit). If you do have radon, it’s going to be okay. Most mitigation requires a $500 to $2,500 fix. The most common systems utilizes soil suction, pulling radon away from the foundation of a home.
Additional Resources: Radon-Fact-Sheet-EPA