Real Estate Blog - ABOUT RADON INSPECTION IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Home : Blogs : Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia : Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com in Maryland and Virginia

ABOUT RADON INSPECTION IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

ABOUT RADON INSPECTIONS IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

If you could see it, it would probably be ugly, but you can't. So, in many areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia, buyers test for radon. Often the radon test is a contingency included in the Contract of Sale. The Seller agrees that the Buyer will have an inspection for radon levels and, if the test results show a high reading, the seller will agree to have a radon remediation system installed prior to settlement. All of these terms and conditions are negotiable. Radon tests in Maryland and Northern Virginia performed by inspectors cost about $125-$160.

If the radon level is high, 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, a simple radon remediation system can be installed following which the radon level will be reduced to below that recommended level. The cost of radon remediation systems is about $900-$1500 depending on the availability of ventilation areas which is determined house by house by the remediation company. If the seller doesn't agree to provide you with a remediation system, you can easily do the test and remediation following settlement.

EPA recommends that all homeowners test their home for radon. It's easy and inexpensive. Radon can be found all over the U.S. However, the radon levels varies from area to area and can even vary widely from block to block. Most high readings are found in the higher elevations of our market area. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. The gas can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high levels. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home. That's where you spend most of your time.

Detailed information about radon can be found on the EPA web site for each state in the U.S.

MD Radon Map Va Radon Map

Maryland Radon Map Virginia Radon Map

RED = Highest Potential ORANGE = Moderate Potential YELLOW = Low Potential

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia on 08/09/2009 09:37 AM

Comments (12)

Radon Testing in the Regional (Localism) Channel

radon inspection

Originally posted at: MD, VA Foreclosures, First Time Buyers Grants, CDA Loans MD, Rehab Loans MD & VA: ABOUT RADON INSPECTION IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

This post has been included in Virginia Information Loudoun County, VA Information
Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: The Ninety-ninth Percentile
Post is included in group: Maryland and Northern Virginia Waterfront Homes
Post is included in group: Loudoun County New Homes
Post is included in group: AR Twitter Users

12 Comments on ABOUT RADON INSPECTION IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

AUG

Hi Lenn !

We have relatively low occurances of radon findings in Northern NJ, but surprisingly the presence of radon seems to have increased this year ?

Any reason you can think of why that would be ? I guess it's just environmentally coincidental, but I wonder if it can be 'spreading' ?

... I'll have to research more.

Cheers !

Sheldon. Better testing.

Hi, Lenn -

I haven't seen radon testing available in my area yet, but on the map, for hundreds of miles it's all yellow. Still it's nice to read your blogs to see what goes on in the real world!

Featured @ Club Chaos

AUG

Radon is not on the radar very much here in Florida, where we don't have basements. Chinese Drywall is our big issue at the moment, though it's not very prevalent.

Gabe. Makes sense. Radon is found in rock. You'd have to go pretty far to get to rock in Florida. In my area, however, it can be close to the surfact and in fact, we have subdivisions where the rock has to be blasted to install a basement foundation.

We just sold a condo that had radon on the 5th floor of the building. It was $1500 to correct. I would recommend the test be strongly considered prior to a purchase.

Good grief! 5th floor in Florida?/

Clearly there is something in the unit or building that is causing it. Did htey locate the source???

AUG

One of our sellers just had his home tested resulting in the installation of a $5,000 remediation system. They have a basement, a rarity here, and they were tired of people having doubts about radon. Once they remediate their price we'll likely get it sold.

Jim. Almost all homes in which a remediation system is installed here have basements. The cost rarely exceeds $1500. Of course, many of our homes were constructed with sump pumps and passive vent systems. So, radon remediation is simple.

Lenn, I recall that many newer homes in the MD/DC/VA area (constructed after 1999) had radon remediation systems installed at time of construction. While we don't see it here as much, it's still possible and I think buyers should test more for it. We recommend it to our clients here but few do the test...

Christianne. Yes, builders installed "passive" radon vents in the sump pump system. However, on properties where the reading is high, the mitigation system is still needed.

This blog does not allow anonymous comments