Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes and pose serious health risks. As winter approaches, homeowners should prioritize testing their homes for radon, as fall is the ideal time before sealing windows and doors.
Read on as we explain why radon testing is critical, the health risks associated with radon exposure, and how HouseMaster’s local home inspectors can help protect your home and family.
What is Radon and Why is It Dangerous?
Radon is formed when uranium in soil, rock, and water breaks down. It’s invisible and odorless, making it undetectable without testing. Radon enters homes through cracks and gaps, accumulating to dangerous levels, especially in well-sealed homes. Radon enters homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and even through well water. Once inside, it can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in well-sealed, energy-efficient homes.
The primary concern with radon is its connection to lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identifies radon exposure as the top cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, and it’s estimated to cause over 21,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. The only way to determine if your family is at risk from radon exposure is to test your home.
Why Fall is the Best Time for Radon Testing
During fall, homes are not yet fully sealed for winter, making it easier to get an accurate reading. Winter’s airtight conditions can increase indoor radon levels if it’s present. Fall testing allows time for mitigation before winter when families spend more time indoors.
By conducting radon testing in the fall, before your home is fully sealed for winter, you can get an accurate reading of any radon presence in your home. During the winter months, you spend more time indoors, and your home’s airtight condition can lead to higher radon concentrations if it’s already present.
Fall also gives you time to address any issues before winter truly sets in. If high radon levels are detected, you can take action to mitigate the problem before the colder months when families spend more time indoors, increasing their risk of prolonged exposure.
The Radon Testing Process
Radon testing is a simple yet essential step in protecting your family from the dangers of this invisible gas.
HouseMaster’s certified Harrisburg home inspectors will handle the entire process for you, ensuring accurate readings and interpreting the results to help you understand whether action is
needed. Regular testing is recommended, especially if you've never tested your home or if you’ve made structural changes that could impact radon levels.
When Should You Test for Radon?
If You’ve Never Tested Your Home
Even if you’ve lived in your home for years, it's crucial to include a radon test during a home maintenance inspection. A professional radon screening will detect whether radon is entering your home through gaps in the foundation or from your water supply, helping you stay ahead of any health risks.
If You’re Selling Your Home
Gain peace of mind when listing your property by incorporating a radon test into your pre-sale home inspection. Identifying any radon concerns early can prevent costly delays or last-minute negotiations during the closing process.
If You’re Buying a Home
For buyers, adding a radon test to your inspection ensures you have a complete understanding of the property’s potential risks. Identifying radon early can give you the leverage to renegotiate or reevaluate the purchase before closing.
How HouseMaster Can Help
At HouseMaster, we’re proud to serve the Harrisburg and Lebanon areas, providing reliable radon testing and comprehensive home inspections. Our local home inspectors are trained to detect radon levels using state-of-the-art equipment and methods, ensuring your home is safe for your family.
With our in-depth knowledge of radon risks specific to the region, HouseMaster’s Harrisburg home inspectors can assess your property and recommend further action if elevated levels are found. Whether you’re buying a new home or preparing your current home for winter, we’re here to help you stay safe.
What Happens if Radon Levels Are High?
If your radon test results show high radon levels, don’t panic. Radon mitigation systems can be installed to reduce the radon levels in your home. These systems typically involve venting radon gas from beneath your home before it has a chance to enter your living spaces. Sealing cracks in your foundation and improving ventilation can also help reduce radon levels.
HouseMaster can guide you through this process, ensuring you take the right steps to protect your family. After mitigation measures are in place, follow-up testing will confirm that the radon levels have been reduced to safe levels.
Health Protection Through Regular Radon Testing
Radon testing isn’t something you should only do once. To ensure continued safety, it’s recommended to conduct radon testing every two years, especially after home renovations or changes in your HVAC system that could impact airflow and radon levels.
By scheduling regular radon testing, you’re not only protecting your family’s health but also providing peace of mind. A simple test can prevent long-term exposure to this dangerous gas, giving you confidence that your home is a safe place to live.
Radon may be invisible, but its health risks are not. Fall is the perfect time to conduct radon testing, giving you the opportunity to identify and address any issues before winter seals your home and traps dangerous gases inside. The Harrisburg and Lebanon home inspectors at HouseMaster are ready to help you ensure your home is safe from radon exposure.
Don’t wait until winter to test your home for radon. Contact HouseMaster Harrisburg today to schedule a radon test with our experienced local home inspectors
Harrisburg home inspectors Dan Ayers and Scott Ayers, like all Housemaster home inspectors, have extensive training and certifications and are tested annually to meet the industry standards of continuing education, inspection, reporting, and customer service. As part of the oldest and most trusted nationwide home inspection business, Dan and Scott have been able to put their decade long experience in fire and water property restoration and their passion for customer service to good use in the professional home inspection process. Request an inspection today!
