Buying a house with a radon mitigation system greatly reduces the risk of accidental radon poisoning. In most instances, having a radon mitigation system will not affect your home’s resale value or negatively impact your ability to sell the home.
To the uninformed, the presence of a radon mitigation system can be a serious red flag—one that deters them from purchasing an otherwise perfect home. Many believe such a system puts them at higher risk of radon poisoning or that it will tank the home’s resale value. However, this is not always the case.
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has put together the following article to address some common misconceptions surrounding radon and determine whether you should buy a house with a radon mitigation system. Read on for more information. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What is radon?
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas produced when radioactive elements like radium, thorium, and uranium decay. These metals occur naturally in small amounts, in the soil, rocks, and groundwater, and the radon gas they produce usually dissipates quickly in outdoor environments.
If a house is built overtop an area where radon is present, however, the gas can seep indoors through cracks in the foundation and other small openings due to the lower air pressure in these areas. For this reason, houses with basements or crawl spaces are especially susceptible to radon gas exposure.
Is radon a health concern?
Radon gas is a definite health concern if found in large amounts or in closed-off, poorly ventilated spaces, and it can lead to respiratory issues and even lung cancer. In fact, it is the #1 cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers in the United States.
Because radon is virtually undetectable by human senses, the only way to know whether radon is present—before you start developing symptoms, that is—is by conducting a test. Radon testing is usually included in the standard home inspection process, but it can also be requested if necessary.
Should you buy a home with a radon mitigation system?
There is no reason to let a radon mitigation system deter you from buying the home that’s right for you. You should, however, verify that the mitigation system was properly installed by a licensed professional.
Once a radon mitigation system is installed, the risk of being exposed to dangerous amounts of radon gas is greatly diminished—you’ll never get rid of the radon entirely, but as long as the mitigation system is running, it will reduce the amount of radon present to EPA acceptable levels, or below 4.0 pCi/L.
Does a radon mitigation system affect home value?
Generally speaking, a radon mitigation system does not affect home value, as the system itself is not very expensive and radon is fairly easy to control once it is detected. If anything, a properly installed radon mitigation system may be seen as an improvement and even add value to your home.
Additionally, radon gas usually occurs over large areas, meaning many of the homes in your area will have mitigation systems or are at equal risk for radon exposure.
That being said, there will always be those potential buyers who, for one reason or another, view the presence of a radon mitigation system as a detriment. This should not be much of an issue, however, as long as you work with a qualified real estate agent to sell your home.
Key Takeaway A radon mitigation system will not remove radon entirely from your home, but it will reduce it to a level deemed safe by the EPA. As long as this mitigation system is properly installed, it will keep your household safe from radon exposure and won’t affect your home’s resale value.
Does homeowners insurance cover radon?
Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance
policies will not cover radon testing, removal, or mitigation. Radon is a naturally occurring gas and not an accident or sudden event, making it more in line with a maintenance issue than anything else. How to find affordable home and auto insurance
While it might not cover the cost of radon mitigation, a good homeowners policy will protect your property from other natural hazards—but how do you find a policy with the coverage you need, without paying a fortune for it?
The answer, of course, is with Jerry
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