How Hard Is It to Sell a Home With High Radon Levels?
Summary
Selling a home with high radon levels is a hard task; thus, homeowners should ensure they make use of all available control measures.
Body
Homebuyers consider a variety of factors when purchasing a home and they include; the price of the house, its location and age, in addition to, the seller’s incentive to sell. However, in the recent past, radon mitigation and testing have become a common concern during real estate dealings due to the increased awareness of hazards associated with the gas. Below is information on how radon levels affect the sale of a house and the mitigation measures.
Do radon levels affect the value of a home?
Presence of radon gas in a home will affect its value and ability to sell, but this is mostly dependent on the level of the gas. Since radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, most buyers are skeptical about purchasing any home declared to have high levels of the gas. Therefore, every homeowner should educate themselves on the relevant information about the gas and get their house checked for radon levels before placing it for sale. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Mitigating high radon levels
Radon levels of 4pCi/L or more are risky to human health, but these elevated levels should not deter a homeowner from selling their home. Instead, one should install a permanent radon mitigation system to reduce the intensity and prevent the accumulation of the gas in future. In most instances, the type of mitigation system depends on the foundation of a house; while the cost of installing the system depends on the home’s design, construction and local climate.
According to EPA, active sub-slab-depressurization is the most reliable mitigation system for homes with slab-on-grade foundations and basements. This method mainly involves drilling suction points in the sub-slab and installing a fan in the attic or an unconditioned part of the house to draw up radon gas through PVC pipes. On the other hand, modern homes may use passive mitigation which involves the installation of pipes in a building’s foundation to create a vacuum and redirect radon out of the house. Luckily, both mitigation systems possess the ability to reduce elevated gas levels by 99% within 24 hours. Still, the use of passive mitigations is not always as effective as compared to active systems. Additionally, EPA advises homeowners to adopt radon-resistant techniques like sealing all underground openings in their foundation.
Selling a home with elevated radon levels is a hard task, but it is not impossible. With effective mitigation measures, a homeowner can solve the problem and happily sell their home at the right price. At APEX Radon, we offer homeowners with solutions to various aspects of radon gas issue. Moreover, we provide radon mitigation, testing, sump pump and crawl space vapour barrier installation in addition to real estate inspection. Contact us today to hire our reliable services.