When it comes to radon gas, Kansas City home buyers and homeowners should consider the dangers of radon gas, the radon level at which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends mitigation and the costs associated with radon mitigation. Radon is a soil born gas and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, so it's important that home buyers and homeowners consider their options for testing for the presence of radon in their home. When you hear the word "mitigation" it generally refers to a lessening of the intensity of the radon level within the property. If a home buyer does test for radon and the radon level is above a 4 (picoCuries per liter of air), the EPA recommends mitigation. And mitigation often ranges from one of more of the following: filling in cracks in basement walls and floors, covering the sump pit in a basement floor, sealing the smooth surfaces of concrete in contact with the ground, running an exhaust pipe from the basement floor and up and out of the home with the help of a fan, etc.
When working with Kansas City home sellers, I inform them that if a buyer's radon test comes up above a 4 reading then home sellers can expect to find themselves spending around $700 to $1,500 to have a radon mitigation system installed. The costs can vary greatly depending on the difficulty of the radon mitigation system - for instance, finished basements are often more difficult to mitigate than unfinished basements. I've seen radon mitigation systems cost more than $2,000 when working under difficult installation circumstances. Unfortunately seller's don't have much choice if they want to sell their home. On the occasion that a seller asks me what would happen if they refuse to mitigate the radon, I inform them that a seller who doesn't mitigate the radon could find the buyer canceling the contract and then faced with being required to disclose it to future buyers - who will certainly expect that the radon be mitigated.
When working with Kansas City home buyers, I inform them that the EPA recommends they test the radon level within the home. When a radon tests come up above a 4, then it's time for a mitigation company to determine the options for installing a mitigation system and to provide an estimate for the work. Many home inspectors can test for radon and there are some companies that specialize solely in radon testing. There are some companies that do BOTH radon testings and mitigation, but I recommend not using the same company for both testing and mitigation to avoid any conflict of interest.
You can learn more from the Environmental Protection AGency (EPA) as well as the other radon links I've put together here...
EPA Radon Information
View Radon Levels By State
Frequently Asked Radon Questions
The History of Radon
National Cancer Institute Radon Facts
Surgeon General Radon Press Release
Here are some links I've put together for Kansas City radon testing and/or mitigation companies...
Affordable Radon Solutions
AAA Radon Solutions
Air Chem Radon
Complete Home Inspection
Crown Home Inspections
Custom Home Inspection
Davis Home Inspection
Family Home Inspection Services
Dr. Radon
Home Team Inspection Services
Mid America Property Solutions
Midwest Radon
Outlook Inspection Services
Safeguard Radon
Scott Home Inspections
Sweet Home Inspections