The real estate market is still going strong even as we enter autumn. Are you one of the many Minnesotans buying a home this year? Don’t forget one of the most important steps in buying a home in Minnesota; licensed radon testing! You’ve likely heard of radon and radon testing. But what is radon and when should you test for it? As the trusted name in licensed radon testing for Big Lake and the surrounding areas, we are here to provide the answer. And, when you require professional radon testing, contact us and we will be happy to perform one for you.
In Minnesota especially, radon is something that needs to be taken seriously and handled professionally. Radon is a gas that decays into radioactive particles. These particles are airborne, entering the typical home through gaps at beams and connection points, as well as cracks and fissures in unfinished basement walls. These fissures allow for something of a constant bombardment from radon to the average homeowner and their family. Radon entering your home via lower level gaps can also seep up into the upper levels of the home, and can ultimately cause harm to you and your family.
Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. You may never know that it is a problem in your home until you have radon testing done. And, in Minnesota, levels are higher than average. According to an analysis of data collected during a recent five-year period, only 1 percent of properties in Minnesota have been tested for radon. Yet that same data suggests that 2 in 5 homes in the state have a radon level of 4.0 picocuries per liter of air or higher. (A radon level of 4pCi/L or higher is the equivalent of your family smoking more than 8 cigarettes a day) It has a lot to do with the geology in the soil here in Minnesota.
Has your future home been tested for radon? Have it tested before you move in. It does not matter what your house is made of, what kind of soil it sits on, whether or not it has a basement or even whether or not your neighbor’s home tested negative for radon. The only way to know for sure if your home is safe is to have licensed radon testing done.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that if you are buying or selling a home, to have it tested for radon. “For a new home, ask if radon-resistant construction features were used and if the home has been tested.” Similarly, if you build an addition or perform major work on your first level, you should have it tested for radon. With radon as a legitimate concern, you should consider having a professional conduct testing and take action based on those results. There are some fixes you can do on your own and there are many great techniques that can be integrated into your home.
Are you in need of licensed radon testing for your Big Lake area home or business? Call AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service at 952-854-5110 or you can Contact Us.
