Radon Question

Hello,
We recently made an offer on a home in Broadlands but after getting the RADON tested it came out to 8.5 pCi/L. Has anyone else in the community had a problem with Radon and how did you mitigate it? Were the results long term? Is this worth walking away from the home?

Thank you in advance for your feedback..

 

Just curious, what prompted you to test the radon levels in the house?

The EPA action level is much lower so plan to install a Radon Mitigation System. You can buy a test for granite countertops too but follow the link below with recommendations on the proper way to test.

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You are hundreds of times more likely to be at risk for radon emanating from the soil beneath your home. The US EPA states it simply in the Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction:

"In a small number of homes, the building materials (e.g., granite and certain concrete products) can give off radon, although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes."

http://www.radon.com/radon/granite.html

 

Thanks!

It was a part of the inspection for buying the home..

 

I should have added...the radon levels should not discourage you from buying the house, just be sure to install a mitigation system.

 

Radon Levels for Virginia: http://va-radon.info/

 

We had high radon levels (not sure the exact number) when we did our home inspection. We asked the owner to mitigate and something was installed to the sump pump to transfer the gas out of the house and the sump pump was sealed. Two days before closing another test was done and the level of radon had dropped significantly. We have not retested since so I don't know long term.

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you for your responses!

 

Welcome to the neighborhood! We had our house tested when we moved in years ago and basement radon levels were below 3.5 so did not do any thing. Currently in the process of completing our basement and retested Radon and it came back at 9 - 10 in basement and a 3 - 4 upstairs -- I tested multiple times. Had a radon system put in about a week ago. Took provider about 2 - 3 hours, pipe went right into the sump pump and then outside the house. Should have new results in 2 - 3 days. Provider guarantees it will be below 2. If not they will comeback at no cost to reduce levels further. Could be they need to seal cracks or adjust motor. Install was painless and cost was $850.

 

I have a friend in real estate who said that after the earthquake in Mineral VA, he has seen an increase of Radon levels during his home inspections.

 

Breaking news ... dateline Broadlands ...... Radon report came back and the basement is now at a 0.2. So from a 10 to a 0.2.

Abatement appears to be working quite well.

 

Scott thats great!! Do you mind if I ask what company you used?

 

http://www.radonremediation.com/
(703) 471-9459

I spoke with Pete and he walked me through the process. They don't have email, just the phone, no answering machine, so consider them the Bill Murry of Radon remediation -- getting in contact, not the jokes.

They have 3 prices, #1 if your house has all the pre work done, #2 if some of the work is done, and #3 if they need to complete everything.

They have a fixed price for each one, so they didn't offer any extras, which I thought was good, I didn't have to listen to: "Oh, yeah, my manager is running a special radon limiting undercoating for your house, only $500 more"

 

Can anyone recommend a epa qualified person/company that just does radon testing. I want to get our new construction home tested just in case. I heard that they say in the winter is when you get the most accurate results. Also, has anyone tried those radon testers that they sell on Amazon?
Thank you for your time.

 

I just went to Home Depot and bought radon detectors. I think they were $10 for two and you pay $30 for the test to be completed. Takes 4 days for the test to be done in the house and 3 - 5 days to get the results. Went with Pro-Lab out of Weston, FL. It is kind of a blind test so I don't feel like they gamed the results.

 

Thank you for all of the great information

 

The Virginia Department off Health has a radon testing program and has worked with Air Check, Inc to provide radon test kits at a discounted price. You can order either on-line at Radon Test Kit or print the radon test kit coupon: Radon test kit coupon For additional info see: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/Radon/