Is Radon Testing Necessary With A Home Inspection [In Iowa?]
Is Radon Testing Necessary With A Home Inspection?
The question at hand is, “Is radon testing necessary with a home inspection?” The short answer is yes, absolutely!
The purpose of a home inspection is to involve a neutral third-party professional to investigate the true condition of a home and bring to light the problems or possible problems. This gives the homebuyer the information necessary to make an informed and empowered decision about whether to continue with the purchase and, if/when the sale is final, how to be a knowledgeable homeowner.
Home inspections are visual inspections, which means that there are things concerning a home that are not covered in the inspection. A prime example of this is radon testing. Radon testing isn’t typically something a home inspector will do within a general home inspection, so you will need to request it as an add on service or find a radon company who specializes in radon testing and mitigation.
In order to fully understand why you need a radon test with a home inspection, you first need to grasp what radon is, why it’s important to test for radon, when to test, and who can test for radon.
What is radon?
Radon gas, like carbon monoxide, is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It cannot be observed by the naked eye, so it must be detected through a special test. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.” Meaning, there is a naturally occurring low amount of radon in the open air, where it is harmless to us. It is only when the gas exists in high concentrations in an enclosed space that it becomes dangerous, even deadly.
The Guardian writes, “The amount of radon in a house will be a result of a combination of the geology under it, the style of building, what is covering the ground around it, how people live in it, and what ventilation exists.” Radon gas comes from the ground soil and it seeps into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation, gaps around service pipes, or even in the water supply. Some geographic areas are more susceptible to high radon levels than others.
Radon gas is measured in units called Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/L). In the US, states are divided into zones based on the average indoor radon levels. The EPA can help you see if your area has above-average levels of radon. For example, Iowa is in zone 1, which means houses on average have a radon gas level higher than 4 pCi/L.
Any amount of radon over 4 pCi/L is considered high levels of radon and correlate with increased health risks. Even if you live in a state with low average levels of radon gas, all homes can have some radon gas. Regardless of where you reside, it’s a good idea to be aware that radon gas exists and can be harmful to you and your family.
Photo courtesy of the EPA. Click here to view the radon zones and what they mean.
Consider Radon Testing Necessary
The EPA recommends anything below 4 pCi/L isn't a cause for panic, but a radon gas reading between 2 - 4 pCi/L or more is considered to be an elevated level of radon gas and it’s recommended that action be taken.
Per Iowa Health and Human Services, Iowa has the largest percentage of homes above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, sitting at just under 72%. It is also designated as an entirely zone 1 state, which means that at least 50% of the homes are above the recommended action level. This is dangerous for Iowa homebuyers and is a solid justification to get your radon testing in Iowa done when purchasing a home.
So, is radon testing necessary… really? With these alarming stats, you be the judge!
If elevated levels of radon gas are an issue, you will want to know this before the sale is finalized. You may be able to work with the seller by negotiating a fair solution to the high radon gas level. It would be a good question to ask your real estate agent.
Once you move in, you can monitor radon levels on your own by using a continuous radon monitor. We like the brand RadonEye (purchase from Amazon here). We have used the unit in our personal home for years. It is known for quality and accuracy that’s affordable (less than $200). It is designed to be plugged into a wall outlet and left to run continuously. A continuous radon monitor will need to be set up in the lowest level of your house for the most accurate data, such as a basement or cellar. The company developed a companion app for monitoring the radon levels as they fluctuate over the course of time. Spikes in radon gas levels are normal, especially during colder months of the year.
If the trend of the radon gas level is consistently high overtime, it would be wise to connect with a radon professional. The pro may advise doing another radon test and/or would discuss mitigation options with you for lowering the radon gas level in your home.
Keep in mind that radon testing isn’t typically required for the purchase of a home in Iowa, but because of the risk factors connected to high levels of radon gas, it stands to reason that considering radon testing necessary is smart.
Now What?
To recap, the question we answered today is, “Is radon testing necessary with a home inspection?” The answer is a resounding yes and we are the people to make sure you get your radon testing in Iowa completed.
Forever Home Inspection Iowa offers discounted radon testing through our preferred partnership with a local radon specialist.
When you book a home inspection with us, you get the best price on a radon test and the best service in the area. So, be sure to schedule your radon test with home inspection today.
Let us help bring peace of mind to your home buying journey!
Check out our pricing for the cost of radon testing or schedule here.
Already have a home inspection scheduled with us? Great! It’s easy to request your radon test.
Follow these simple steps…
In your client portal on the main dashboard under the photo, you will see “Add additional services for more peace of mind.” Click the blue button labeled “Upgrade.”
2. Select the radon test service by checking the box.
3. Hit the “Send Request” button. That’s it. We will make sure your radon test service gets added to your inspection day!
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