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If
the Home Has Already Been Tested for Radon...
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If you are thinking of
buying a home, you may decide to accept an earlier test result from the
seller, or ask the seller for a new test to be conducted by a qualified
radon tester. Before you accept the seller's test, you
should determine:
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The results of previous
testing
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Who conducted the
previous test: the homeowner, a radon professional, or some other person
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Where in the home the
previous test was taken, especially if you may plan to live in a lower
level of the home. For example, the test may have been taken on the first
floor. However, if you want to use the basement as living space, test
there
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What, if any,
structural changes, alterations, or changes in the heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning (HVAC) system have been made to the house since the
test was done. Such changes may affect radon levels.
If you accept the
seller's test, make sure that the test followed the
Radon Testing Checklist. If you decide that a new test is needed,
discuss it with the seller as soon as possible. If you decide to use a
certified professional radon tester - consult the
current list of individual and companies
that are certified radon service providers in North Carolina. If you are
located in another state, contact your
state radon office to
obtain a copy of their approved list of radon testing companies.
More information on selecting a radon service
provider.
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If the Home
Has Not Yet Been Tested for Radon...
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A radon test should be
conducted as soon as possible. Consider including provisions in the contract
specifying:
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Where the test will be
located
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Who should conduct the
test
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What type of test to do
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When to do the test
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How the seller and the
buyer will share the test results and test costs (if necessary)
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When radon mitigation
measures will be taken and who will pay for them.
Make sure that the test
is done in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy. This means
the lowest level that you are going to use as living space which is finished
or does not require renovations prior to use. A qualified radon tester can help you make some of these decisions.
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Home Renovations
Certified Radon Testers
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If you decide to finish
or renovate an unfinished area of the home in the future, a radon test
should be taken before starting the project and after the project is
finished. Generally, it is less expensive to install a radon-reduction
system before (or during) renovations rather than afterwards.
If you decide to use a
certified professional radon tester - consult the
current list of individual and companies
that are certified radon service providers in North Carolina. If you are
located in another state, contact your
state radon office to
obtain a copy of their approved list of radon testing companies.
More information on selecting a radon service
provider.
Information for home sellers
Information for NEW home
buyers or builders
For more detailed information refer to
the online EPA publication:
"Home Buyer's and
Seller's Guide to Radon". An
Adobe Acrobat pdf
version of the Guide is also available if you are more interested in
printing out the information. (1.789K file size).
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