Vacant Houses Don't Have More Radon

I attended an inspection meeting with all parties and the inspector announces that the 1 acre lot and the house on it is built on top of granite and that granite gives off radon and then paused...I cringed thinking this guy is killing my deal when he then said, but it is minor and granite is a rock solid foundation to have a house built on in case of earthquake...What a roller coaster ride that was.....thank you Reuben

interesting info about radon. in north carolina, the informational site is www.ncRadon.org. I like the idea of a passive radon control system - not much up front cost and a time and $$ saver if there is a future problem

Hi Reuben,  Sure are a lot of myths I never heard of.  Who knows maybe I will!  Are you sure about the Holy Water?

You have definitely demonstrated your expertise in regards to Radon.  I didn't know about many of these myths, but clearly you did and that's why a homeowner needs a home inspector like yourself as a part of their team.

Thank you for the information!

Reuben - thanks for this information. It's always good to know more about this. Thanks

Reuben,

This is very worthwhile and very informative. I've bookmarked this and will use it as a reference.

Thanks,

Brian

Lots of information I had no idea existed, we don't encounter a lot of Radon testing in Manhattan, but it's always good to know.

Reuben -- I have come across many people who think new homes don't need to be tested.  Wrong. Also, have had people tell me their neighbors were tested and if their home was ok, then all the others  in the immediate area would be ok as well. Wrong again.  Great information!

Most be all the holy water in the Catholic churches here.:)

I've never been asked about it even, in 5 years of inspecting.

Geologically this area is a glacial era lake bed and the thick basal layer of clay would function as a impremiable boundary layer to stop gasses.

But it is not uniform, there are rock out crops, so there can always be exceptions to the general rule. The only way to know is to test.

Reuben, another post with great information.  Radon has not been publicized in Canada to same level as the U.S., but we will get there soon.

Where do people come up with this stuff? Great post to clear up questions for those who don't know.

This is good to know, even though we in CA> really don't have an issue with Radon, because even though we don't have many homes with basements we do have out of state buyers that ask about this issue.

You forgot if there are no spiders there is radon in the house. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that one.

Hi Reuben - Nice post on Radon.  In my opinion, the Radon test conditions should resemble the way you intend to use your home. 

Myth: opening the second story windows shouldn't affect the radon test, because the test is located in the basement. The problem with this myth is that houses act like chimneys.  Opening the windows on the second floor might actually increase the radon levels in the home.  For a valid test, the windows in the house need to be kept closed.

An open window versus closed window does not alter the test equipment.  The Radon reading will indicate the level of Radon at the test equipment.  Radon is heavier than air, without air circulation, the Radon is likely to accumulate at the lowest level of the home.  In my home, I like to have the windows open in the summer months.  I also have a big screen TV and comfortable couches in the lowest level where often times someone falls asleep.  I want to know the Radon level during these conditions.  There is nothing invalid about this test. 

Myth: radon tests should always be placed in the lowest level of the home. If the home has a crawl space or a basement that nobody will be spending any time in, why in the world would you want to know what the radon level is down there?  If you're testing your own home, put the test in the lowest level of the home that you use regularly.  For a real estate transaction, the radon test should be placed in the lowest level of the home that could be used regularly.

Knowing the Radon level around an air handler may be significant.  When there is an air handler for a furnace or central AC system, I'll talk to the client about the potential for elevated levels of Radon in the crawlspace with the air handler and the mixing of conditioned and unconditioned air via duct leaks.

In my opinion, the testing protocols appear to favor database comparison numbers over the normal or typical usage of the home by the occupants.  I also test in my bathrooms to get an idea of the Radon in the steam/water vapor and air mixed together.

Of course, I always ask my physician how many deaths in the town are linked to Radon.  I haven't found one yet.

@ Jim, Unfortunately tour opinion with regard to radon testing, should be just that your opinion. The EPA has established national standards which define the testing procedures. If you some how feel the EPA is wrong, that's fine, but if you conduct your tests in the manner you are describing then that isn't okay. The problem I see in the radon testing industry, at least in CT, is a complete lack of training and understanding of the mechanics of radon gas by many of those who test. The state has no over site in place or requirements for training. Anyone can test a home for radon without ever sitting down in a classroom. They also can not be held accountable for their work.

If you weren't aware the reason for closed house conditions for real estate transactions is to closely approximate the conditions when the house would be closed up, say in the winter. Also you may not be aware is that 90% of short term test  agree with a long term test perfomed later. This blog and everything Reuben has talked about is spot on according to the EPA testing protocols.