One of the biggest mistakes both buyers and sellers make is not testing for hidden health hazards. But if you're a buyer, you want to make sure that your new home will provide a healthy living environment for you and your family. If you're a seller, showing that your home is free from certain dangers can help close the deal and offer potential buyers peace of mind.
One hazard that Health Canada is recommending that all homeowners test for is radon, a radioactive gas that comes from uranium in the ground and can get into a home undetected.
Since long-term exposure to radon is known to cause lung cancer, it's a smart move to check its levels. Testing is simple — you can either purchase a do-it-yourself test kit or hire a certified radon measurement professional. The DIY kit will include instructions on how to set up the test and send it back to a lab for analysis once the testing period is over.
To get a realistic estimate of the radon exposure, all measurements should be made in the lowest lived-in level of the house where people spend more than four hours per day. Potential measurement locations include family rooms, living rooms, dens, playrooms and bedrooms. A lower level bedroom is preferred because people generally spend more time in their bedrooms than in any other room in the house. Similarly, if there will be children in the house, lowest level bedrooms or other areas such as a playroom are preferred.
Health Canada recommends a long-term test for a minimum of three months. If you're selling, this means you should complete the test before listing your property. If you're buying, you will need to make sure there is enough time to complete the testing or request that a clause be added to the sale agreement to allow for high radon levels to be fixed. The cost of a radon reduction system, if needed, is very small compared to the cost of the home.
A dream home doesn't become a nightmare if it tests positive for high radon levels — techniques to lower radon levels are effective, affordable and will improve the home's indoor air quality. A radon mitigation system can be installed in less than a day, and in most homes will reduce the radon level by more than 80 per cent for about the same cost as other common home repairs such as replacing the furnace or air conditioner.
Find more information at www.canada.ca/radon.
