What is radon?
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that is a bi-product of the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It is estimated that one out of every three homes, in the Chicago area, have elevated levels of radon. Radon is randomly distributed, and levels can vary greatly from one home to the next. ANY home can have Radon, including townhouses and ground level condominiums.
Does this house have Radon?
The simplest way to know if a house has radon is to perform a test. For a real estate transaction, a radon test can be performed in a 48 hour period using continuous working level metering equipment. The results of the test are generally available in a day or two after the test is completed.
A radon test can be ordered when you schedule your home inspection. When the test has been completed, the inspector will contact you with the results and forward a copy of the test report to you.
If there is an existing radon mitigation system..
If the home has already had a radon mitigation system installed you should still have a test completed to insure that the system is working properly. Existing systems should be checked every two years according to the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety.
What is the price of a Radon test?
The number of foundation levels in a home determines the price of the radon testing. As an example, a bi-level home with both a crawl space and a slab-on-grade room will require two monitors. Prices may vary.
All tests are conducted in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Division of Nuclear Safety protocol. In most cases the monitors can be placed concurrent with the home inspection to minimize inconvenience to the sellers and real estate professionals.
If you are concerned about Radon causing lung cancer, have your potential future home tested and discuss the results with your inspector. |
