Sebring Home Inspection Company

Are Radon Levels Higher in Vacant Cleveland Ohio Homes?

sebringinspection — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:20:55 +0000

Radon gas is a radioactive soil gas that can enter homes and is often tested for during a real estate transaction. By the way, the EPA recommends that ALL homes be tested since radon gas is the #2 cause of lung cancer. Recently a real estate agent asked me…

Charlotte Baldwin, Realtor with Prudential Select Properties asks…
“Just because I have to ask questions… is it possible the (radon) levels were high because the house has not been lived in, in over 7 years? Being closed up and no air flow?”

Charlotte, this is an excellent question and one that is both easy and difficult to answer. As a licensed radon gas tester here in Ohio we must complete regular training and continuing education. Part of this includes the life cycle of radon gas. This is where the answer to your question can be answered. So try to stick with me…

Radon gas is a radioactive element. If you remember anything from high school chemistry you might remember the words “half life”. Any radioactive substance has a “half life” which is the time it takes for half of that substance to become something else. So if I put 1000 units of Radon gas into a jar and sealed it tight, in 3.8 days (radon’s half life), we would have 500 units. This means that a closed and or vacant home would lose half the radon that entered every 3.8 days, roughly. So as new radon is entering, old radon is becoming something else.

Now, radon comes from Uranium, another radioactive element found all over the world. As the Uranium decays it becomes many other things, see http://tinyurl.com/36cm68h for full details, but ends up as radon gas for a short time. All the “other” things it becomes are solids, only radon is a gas. Being a gas, radon can move through the soil and enter homes. Through a variety of reasons radon may enter the home differently on different days. High pressure system, rainy day, frozen ground, running the clothes dryer etc could all effect how radon enters a home. So…. a closed house could have higher radon levels due to many reasons, but it is not likely that it is “because the home has been closed of X months”.

For more information please check out http://www.epa.gov/radon/ . If you have not tested your home for radon gas, I strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible. The inexpensive test kits sold at big box stores, online and local hardware stores will do the job. Typically $30.00 or so should get you a test kit, then READ the directions and test your home. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help you find answers to your questions regarding radon. Please comment on this article below.

Did Earthquake Cause Foundation Cracks…

sebringinspection — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:29:51 +0000

A recent inspection in the Greater Cleveland Ohio area had a typical first time buyer very worried about some foundation cracks. The question in their mind and to me was, “Did an earthquake cause the cracks?” While I was somewhat surprised by the question, I have to admit that I did not have a good answer, although I seriously doubt it.

The cracks in questions were a series on three cracks on two walls with movement in several directions. The cracks were about 1/3 inch wide at top of wall and disappeared before the floor with no cracks in the floor. There is a very large three story chimney on the wall in question and it appeared that some portion of the wall had moved in several directions. This was enough for me to recommend a structural engineer to evaluate the walls and recommend repairs if needed. But that was not what the buyer wanted to know.

I spent several minutes talking with the buyer about possible things that might have happened

A wall on the Move...

to result in such cracks. Things like a bad footer under the chimney or on corner of the wall or movement of the HUGE rock on which that corner of the house sat on. Then we discussed what repairs might look like and estimates of cost should repairs need completed. But most importantly I listened to my client and did my best to put them at ease with what needed to happen next. I was not able to give them the answer to the question they asked. But I was able to put them at ease as to what steps should be taken to get the answer and be sure they would not end up with unexpected expenses after closing.

I followed up with them this week and they had made arrangement to have an engineer out. I asked for them to follow up with me as to the result of that inspection so that I might be able to better answer the questions of my clients in the future.

If you have a home maintenance question or concern, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to give you an answer or head you in the right direction to find the answers.

just finished updating my website. First

sebringinspection — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:48:02 +0000

just finished updating my website. First new look in several years. Check out my blog as well. http://ow.ly/2cXAT

I think #HootSuite is the coolest Twitte

sebringinspection — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:50:29 +0000

I think #HootSuite is the coolest Twitter app in the history of the internet. http://hootsuite.com

Inspect With Us…

sebringinspection — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:52:40 +0000

Windows, Doors and Floors… Oh My!
This page is under construction but will soon contain pictures and video of inspections where we can show you some common and not so common items found on homes we have inspected.

So much to see, and so much to show, reminds me of Pre-school and show and tell all over again.