As a Georgia Home Inspector I do radon testing and most people don't know what it is nor do they know the risk that it causes. Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health.
The good news is that Radon Gas can be detected with a simple test and if the home you're purchasing has elevated levels of Radon Gas, it can be easily fixed. The key to the issue is Getting A Radon Test. Then you know if the problem exists and if so, to what degree.
I did a radon test using a continuous monitor will that test every hour on the hour for 48 hours on my own home and the test came back with low levels. I thought great, we don't have to do anything about it and we also don't have to worry. My wife's parents live right behind us so I decided I would go over and test their house; you want to protect those you love right? I did the test and most people would think they would test about the same because they live right behind us. Their test came back with levels at 13.8 and because it was so high I did the test again. Both of them smoke, so their house needed mediation immediately. There is no telling how long that the levels have been that high. Both of our homes are on a basement and this really reiterates the message that all homes should be tested. And it doesn't matter if your home is built on a basement, crawlspace or a slab, this deadly gas can seep in and it doesn't matter if it's brand new construction or a 50 year old home.
It's estimated that Radon Gas kills 21,000 Americans each and every year. As a matter of fact, Radon Gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only second to cigarette smoking. And if you smoke this number is even greater.
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