You are a seller with a contract on your home, have had a radon mitigation system in place for many years and your buyer’s radon test came back elevated. How can that be? There is a radon mitigation system in place!
OK, as a seller, you purchased your home 15+ years ago, had a radon test performed at that time and due to increased radon levels the previous homeowner installed the appropriate system to “fix” the home. Was the home re-tested for radon concentrations post-mitigation years ago? Has the home been tested for radon at any point within those 15+ years?
Although EPA action level for radon is 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA has concern when levels are between 2.0 pCi/L and 4.0 pCi/L. In addition, as a point of reference, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for mitigation is 2.7 pCi/L.
It is highly recommended to test a home for elevated radon levels every two +/- years and that includes home with a radon mitigation system installed. We live on a planet and the earth is always changing hence the radon levels can be variable.
As a seller who has been informed your home has elevated radon levels, act to correct it as soon as possible. Your radon system may need a replacement fan as the original fan may have outlasted it’s full mechanical life or you may need an additional fan added to the existing fan or possibly may require an entire new radon mitigation system. The only way to know is to bring in a professional radon mitigation firm who can assess the functionality of the mechanics. Once corrected, re-testing is the only way to know if the system is now fully functioning with reduced radon levels for a safe internal environment.
Test Your Home…Protect Your Family