Radon is common in Nebraska, and you can't see or smell it. Here's how testing works during a purchase and what mitigation usually involves.
Yes, test. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas from the soil, and elevated levels are common in Nebraska homes, new and old. The EPA recommends fixing a home at or above 4 pCi/L. Buyers usually add a radon test to the home inspection. If it's high, a licensed mitigation contractor installs a vent system, and the cost is often negotiated with the seller.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from uranium breaking down in soil and rock. It moves up through cracks and openings in foundations and collects inside, especially in basements. The EPA identifies it as a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Nebraska has a lot of it. Two houses next door to each other can test very differently, so the only way to know is to test.
Your inspector places a continuous monitor in the lowest lived-in level, usually the basement.
Windows and doors stay closed during the test, typically 48 hours.
At or above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends mitigation. Between 2 and 4, consider it.
If it's high, ask for a mitigation system or a credit, within your inspection deadline.
A contractor drills through the basement slab, runs a pipe up and out, and adds a fan that vents radon above the roofline.
Most installs take a few hours to a day.
Test again after the system is running to confirm the level came down.
They can. Radon comes from the soil, so a home's age doesn't predict it. Some new builds include a passive radon pipe, which still needs a test to confirm it's working.
Rarely. It's one of the more fixable inspection findings. Most buyers negotiate a mitigation credit or ask the seller to install a system before closing.
Nebraska licenses radon measurement and mitigation businesses through the Department of Health and Human Services. Ask for the license before you hire anyone.
Yes. A short-term kit costs little and takes a few days. Test the lowest lived-in level of the house.
Send it to me. I'll tell you what's normal to ask for and how to word it.
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