When we hear the term "silent killer" we most likely think of carbon monoxide. Although carbon monoxide is a silent killer it is not alone. Radon is attributed with approximately 21,000 deaths a year, where as carbon monoxide is between 200-500 depending on what sources you look at... So what is Radon? Radon is a gas that is formed by the breakdown or decay of uranium underground. This gas makes its way into homes through cracks and crevices. Long term exposure to radon increases your chances of getting lung cancer. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. For more information on radon we recommend checking out the EPA's website by clicking here.

We recommend testing your home when you are first purchasing it for a few reasons. First of all for your health and safety. If the home has radon you are going to want to install a radon reduction system as soon as possible. The second reason is that radon is considered a health and safety issue and even in our current market most sellers are willing to either make concessions or pay for a system to be installed. Thirdly just because your neighbors don't have radon doesn't mean you shouldn't test. It is not uncommon to have a home with high radon levels right next door to a home with low radon levels.

We use electronic radon monitors which give us the ability to have accurate readings on site at 48 hours. We do not have to mail anything to a lab or wait on other companies to deliver the results. Although testing your own home can be done after you move in remember that at that point you may get stuck with the full bill of installing a radon reduction system which can cost between $800 and $1500.

Let us test your home for radon so that we can help you keep your family safe!

Danny Geurink, Certified Master Inspector

Your Grand Rapids Home Inspector