7 Things Home Sellers Should Know About Radon Mitigation

By Cynthia Jones


In case you are planning to sell your home, ensure that you know whether the house is free from radioactive metals and gases. This is because the presence of these gases significantly lowers the selling price of homes. You should thus ensure that you have tested the house before you list it. This is essential because you will know whether there are any gases. Also, you will start looking for contractors that can help in reducing the gas levels. Radon Mitigation is paramount to both buyers and sellers of homes. Below are several critical things that home sellers should know about mitigating this gas.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas. It is radioactive and carcinogenic. It is usually formed from the breakdown of uranium. This gas can be found in rocks, water and soil. If it is present in high levels, it can cause serious health issues. This is because it is the second lung cancer causative agent after smoking. Therefore, when selling a home, you should have this in mind.

There are many ways that the element can get into houses. These include the foundation, walls, gas pipes, drains, water pipes and sump pipes, among others. The building materials contractors used for the house can affect the level of the gas. Also, the process of construction can be another cause of the increased levels of this carcinogenic gas. It is usually present in the basements of many homes in lower concentrations.

If you are selling your house, you should have it tested first. This is one of the most important things you should do before putting the house in the market. The test will reveal whether the house is facing any issues with the carcinogenic element. After that, you should start thinking about mitigating the element if it is present.

In case you find that the house is exposed, you should remain calm. Panicking will make you more fearful. Instead, look for specialists that have the expertise to mitigate this element. More so, this is not a big issue because it can be fixed. Once you find a qualified contractor, the expert will install fans that will reduce the element from the air.

You can search for DIY steps on the internet in case you wish to alleviate the gas without the help of a professional. Nevertheless, if you do not have the skills required for such a job, you might be forced to hire an expert. Additionally, this will be more cost effective because the expert will come with working tools.

It is not advisable to ignore the gas if it is present. Some sellers may lie to their customers about the presence of the inert gas. This is not encouraged because the lives of people will be in danger. Furthermore, when the buyers realize that the house is exposed, they may sue you.

In case you find a seller who is interested in buying the house even if it has elevated levels of the gases, your selling price will go down. This is because the buyer will do the mitigation on his own. Thus, you should be upfront to your customers before you sell the home.




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