I'm buying a home with high radon levels. What can I do?
Answers:
You can find out how to reduce radon in a home at http://www.nsc.org/ehc/radon/rad_faqs.htm#26
Other answers:
i would not purchase the home. but if you're intent on doing so I would have an inspector come out and discuss all of your options with you. It's best to find out from a professional than risk any health issues later on.
i would not purchase the home. but if you're intent on doing so I would have an inspector come out and discuss all of your options with you. It's best to find out from a professional than risk any health issues later on.
I second what she just said!
I would force the present owners to 'fix' the problem or take the amount it would cost to 'fix' it off the selling price.
If they refuse. Don't buy the house.
They run about $1200 to $2000 depending on the size of the house and the level. Call a radon contractor they are EPA certified. You can get referals from your neighbors. Yours is 8 and that is twice the EPA limit of 4.
Unless you are paying cash for the home, it is unlikely that you will get financing with that high of a radon level.
You probably won't be able to 'do-it-yourself' because the mortgage company will require an affidavit from a licensed contractor that the system was installed per recommended manufacturer installation instructions. They will also require certified radon testing at different time and height increments.
BTW, if you only did a 'short term test' as in the one you can purchase at your local home improvement store - the radon is more than likely higher than the strip test shows.
A foundation ventilation system can be as little as $600-$700 for a single impeller pipe with exterior exhaust type or as much as several thousand if your foundation requires many pipe penetrations with a motorized exhaust type system.
I would have the current owner fix the problem prior to closing. I would also ask for professional documentation as I explained above.
I agree w/those that say don't buy it...If your that determined to do so, make the current owners do the repairs to eliminate it so you have a guarentee that it's gone and if not you have something to fall back on to assure it won't take you to the cleaners later on w/costs to remove should you chose to sell.
One way I know of that some have tried to cheat a test for selling purposes, before a sale is to of left the windows open for a long period of time day/night (cold weather does the job)to ventilate all. Then when the test is done if right away, it comes up clean. Be aware of this if it is/was done when and if it comes up clean the next time. If radon is there it can't be gone w/out a cost, if shows gone all of a sudden chances are it will be back if nothing was done to prevent if from reappearing. Good luck