I recently sold a home in Loganville, GA and the buyer was required by her relocation package to have a radon test performed. First time in my 12 years - it came back with elevated levels. I remember hearing alot about radon when I was first getting licensed but it has never been something that buyers seemed particularly concermed about, in fact, not even as concerned as they usually are about stucco! Well, this recent experience has caused me to do some in-depth research and it turns out - surprise, surprise, at least to me, that Gwinnett and Walton counties are actually "hot" spots for radon in elevated concentrations.
I do most of my business in Gwinnett and Walton counties. The recent home that tested for elevated levels was not very high but whose to say at what level in a given environment might be just the right amount to have an affect on the particular occupant? The EPA standard is generally considered at 4 pCi/l and this structure tested at 5.6 pCi/l. Initially the buyer, like myself, had some real concerns about whether or not she should proceed with the purchase of this property. But, after doing her own research and talking to friends and family who actually have radon mitigation systems installed in their homes that had tested at considerably higher levels, she decided that she would be satisfied with a mitigation system in the home.
Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer after smoking. You hear people say that they have a relative or friend who never smoked and died of lung cancer - perhaps radon played a role and no one ever knew because no testing had ever been performed on the structure that they were occupying. It's a naturally occuring gas and many factors go into whether or not a structure may show elevated levels including, whether or not there is a basement, is the basement or foundation properly sealed and more. Granite is prevalent in the metro Atlanta area and radon has been associated with granite formations.
Radon mitigation systems are basically a system of large PVC pipes that vent any emissions out of the structure through the side of the house or roof. Depending on how much radon is present the venting system may or may not need a fan to assist with the removal of the gases.
Point of this post is just to put it out there for potential buyers to seriously consider testing for radon. I'm not saying that, unlike this buyer, you should avoid any home that tests positive for radon elevated levels, but at least if you test you have the opportunity to mitigate or avoid the risk. If you don't test - you are buying ALL the risk if radon is present in elevated levels.
Comments(2)