Radon Home Inspection

What is Radon?

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. It occurs naturally below the earth’s surface. It forms underground when uranium decays and filters into the air we breathe. It can seep into your home through loose-fitting pipes, drains, or cracks in concrete, even through your water supply sometimes. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you're at high risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.


How do I know if my home has radon?

The US EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and National Safety Council recommend testing your home for radon because testing is the only way to know your home's radon levels. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. It typically takes years of exposure before any problems surface.

Radon is a national environmental health problem. Elevated radon levels have been discovered in every state. The US EPA estimates that as many as 8 million homes throughout the country have elevated levels of radon. Current state surveys show that 1 home in 5 has elevated radon levels.

At SETX Home Inspections, we have tests that can sample your homes air quality for Radon. These tests are relatively inexpensive- around $40 - when compared to the cost of a home and then trying to remedy radon exposure. Please call and ask for more information and add this test to your inspection order.