As real estate professionals, there has most likely been more than a few occasions when a property has high radon readings. With a basic understanding of what radon is, it’s easy to help put clients and their worries at ease. But what happens when an agent runs into a radon scenario where they don’t know the answer? In this article, we lay out some of our expert radon tips to help you grow your knowledge and look like a radon pro in front of clients.

Radon Testing: When testing for radon during a real estate transaction, it is standard practice that a radon machine is placed in the lowest possible livable level of a home for a minimum of 48 hours. This allows the machine to gather the average radon level in a home to produce an accurate reading. If a radon reading comes back at 4 picocuries per liter or pCi/L, it is considered at an action level and is always recommended to install a mitigation system.

However, if a reading comes in at 3.9 pCi/L or lower, that does not mean the house is “safe from radon”. Just because the reading comes in under what’s considered action level, doesn’t mean precautions shouldn’t be taken. It is always recommended that homes should be tested for radon every year even when a mitigation system is in place. This helps ensure the average number is as low as possible. 

Pro Tip: When doing an initial walk through of a home with clients, be aware of open sump-pump pits, cracks in the basement floors, and crawlspaces which can help lead to high radon levels.

Radon Mitigation: Installing a radon mitigation system is the second step in ensuring a home is safe from radon. If a property needs a system, don’t panic. Having radon mitigation experts on your team will always be beneficial as an agent because they will explain the mitigation process to the clients. Explaining the ins and outs of a mitigation system step-by-step with the clients helps ensure proper knowledge and maintenance of their new system. There are multiple components that make a well working radon mitigation system such as a good system design that works best for the home, the correct amount of dirt is taken out from an access point in the floor or from the slab, and properly working equipment such as the fan and manometer. 

Yearly maintenance and testing is always recommended for radon mitigation systems to help ensure proper function. Regular maintenance includes always making sure the system is always on and the manometer is NEVER at zero on both sides. If the manometer is reading at zero, this means the system is not working properly and radon experts need to come service the system immediately. Yearly maintenance includes cleaning out the fan filters as well as radon testing to ensure the radon levels in a home are being corrected properly.

Pro Tip: When showing a property that has a radon mitigation system already installed, the only way of knowing the system is working properly is to test the radon levels. The fan gauge only shows if the fan is suctioning properly NOT that the radon levels are being changed.

Health Concerns: Although radon is an invisible, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a huge health risk. Radon is the #1 leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and #2 cause of lung cancer in smokers. Even though a gas can seem harmless, it can have a major effect on your health if not taken care of. Although everyone is different and can be affected in different ways, it’s important to always take precautions when it comes to radon and educating clients on the health risks. 

Client Communication: Real estate professionals know how important communication is during the process of buying/selling a home for clients. Clients can easily become overwhelmed with information and look to their agents for guidance and their expertise when it comes to certain issues. Expanding your knowledge on subjects like radon will not only help clients and put their minds at ease but it can also help agents within their own homes as well. If an agent is unsure of something, always make sure to talk to an expert to have a better understanding of radon and mitigation systems to help better educate clients.

Pro Tip: Save these expert tips whenever you need a radon refresher or as a resource for your clients

When it comes to radon, there is a lot of information that can become overwhelming for clients, especially first time home-buyers. With these expert tips, agents and clients will have a better idea of exactly how radon is tested, mitigated, and the health risks that come with high radon readings.