Ready for Radon? Why You Must Test for Radon in Southwest Florida Homes

Buying a home in southwest Florida? Have you checked for radon?

If not, hiring a home inspector in southwest Florida and testing for radon should be high on your priority list before you make the final purchase. That is because radon is present in virtually every home and can contribute to elevated radon levels – which lead to serious health issues.

Here is why checking your potential purchase for radon is a must when buying a home in southwest Florida.

What Is Radon – and Why Is It Dangerous?

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium breaks down in surrounding earth or water. As uranium degrades, it releases radon gas, which then seeps into the home through tiny cracks in the foundation and stays there.

As radon accumulates, it can exceed what the Environmental Protection Agency considers to be safe levels of radon (measured at 4 pCi/L or more). This is dangerous because indoor radon poisoning is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and also causes other potentially harmful conditions.

Why Should I Test For It?

Having a licensed home inspector is the only way to detect radon levels. You cannot smell, taste, or see radon, and special radon detection devices are needed.

In addition, home inspectors who are licensed by the state of Florida as required by law are experts at testing homes and properly and professionally evaluating whether or not radon is present in harmful levels.

Hiring a home inspector in southwest Florida is the only way to ensure that you and your family are safe and sound when you purchase the home and live there for an extended period of time. A qualified home inspector can also tell you the impact recently-installed HVAC systems will have on the home since the last radon test.

Radon is a real threat to human health, and can be mitigated in advance by installing radon reduction systems – but only if you know that it is there to begin with. Use a professional home inspector when buying a home in southwest Florida to protect yourself.