Columbus Ohio Radon Testing

What Is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas caused by uranium and granite decay in the soil. Where a home is positioned on the soil can affect whether radon will be an issue inside the home. Radon enters a home in multiple ways, including cracks or openings in the foundation. By design, homes are built to keep utility costs low and to retain heat; however, this also creates an environment in which radon gas infiltrating the home becomes trapped and can accumulate to unsafe levels for the inhabitants.

HOW DOES RADON
ENTER A HOUSE?

The differences in air pressure between the inside of a building and the soil around it also play an important role in radon entry. If the air pressure of a house is greater than the soil beneath it, radon will remain outside. However, if the air pressure of a house is lower than the surrounding soil (which is usually the case), the house acts as a vacuum, sucking radon gas inside the home. Because radon comes from the soil, the geology of an area can help to predict the potential for elevated indoor radon levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked with state and federal geologists to develop maps which predict the potential indoor radon levels for every county in the United States. Those counties with the highest potential are designated as Zone 1; those with the lowest as Zone 3.

Radon - Home Inspections | Columbus Ohio Home Inspector

See what the Ohio Department of Health has to say about the average radon levels in your zip code.

ODOH

WHY SHOULD I TEST FOR RADON?

Ohio specifically, among other states, has dangerously high levels of radon which can affect your health. Although no level of exposure to radon is safe, the higher the concentrations and longer an individual is exposed to the gas, the more likely that health problems can occur. In the United States, radon gas is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for 21,000 deaths per year. Both the EPA and the Surgeon General state the only way to find the radon levels within the home is to have it tested. You cannot rely on the results of your next-door neighbors when they tested. The levels can vary by a large amount even from homes right next to each other. General maps are available that show whether a home is in a high-risk area; unfortunately, Ohio is labeled in red in almost all counties.

HOW DO WE PERFORM A RADON TEST FOR YOU?

Real estate transactions happen quickly, and deadlines must be met for any inspection objections. Because of this, we need to be able to assess the radon levels in a home in a short period of time. We use a continuous radon monitor system that is EPA approved to measure the levels of radon in the home over a minimum of 48 hours. Upon completion of the test results are available instantly.

We are Certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP #111488-RT) and licensed by The State of Ohio (License Number RT1620) to be able to test for radon.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF THE RADON LEVEL IS HIGH?

The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L; roughly 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. While any level of radon is considered unsafe the EPA recommends that action be taken to reduce a home’s indoor radon levels if the radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. If elevated levels are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and costs of the radon mitigation. The cost of making repairs to reduce radon levels will vary and an estimate from a mitigation specialist should be obtained.

ADDITIONAL INSPECTION SERVICES

HOME INSPECTION

When buying a home, it is very important to have a solid picture of the condition of the home to reduce any expensive fixes or surprises down the line.

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MOLD TESTING

Our mold testing procedure involves sampling suspected mold to confirm and identify the types of mold present and to evaluate their levels in order to protect your investment.

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WDI

Wood destroying insects such as termites can cause an incredible amount of damage to a home in a short period of time.  Our inspection covers interior & exterior.

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