Radon Testing and VA Loans
See common questions and answers about radon testing in homes that have been financed with a VA Mortgage.
The VA recommends testing for radon but does not require the test to be done. However, with new construction, the builder must certify they used radon-resistant construction techniques and meet any local or state building codes for radon control.
What is Radon?
The EPA defines radon as a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer over time. Radon is released from the normal decay of the elements uranium, thorium, and radium in rocks and soil. It is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air.
All the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year.
This is especially true among smokers since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
How to Test for Radon
Radon testing is not difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. In fact, radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.
Reliable testing devices are available from qualified radon testers and companies. Reliable testing devices are also available by phone or mail-order and can be purchased in hardware stores and other retail outlets.
FAQs About Radon
Can homes with radon problems be fixed?
There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes.
Radon mitigation typically costs $800 to $2,500, with the average cost of falling around $1,200 according to Kansas State University’s National Radon Program Services division.
Does radon affect only certain kinds of homes?
Construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of any age or style, including those with a basement or a slab.
Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.
Is radon only a problem in certain parts of the country?
High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test.
My neighbors are testing for radon, does that indicate that my home has a problem?
The short answer is no. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.
Should I test my water for radon?
Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses groundwater, call your water supplier.
If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.
Is it difficult to sell homes with radon problems?
Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is sometimes a good selling point.
I’m building a home, is a radon certification form required?
Yes, with the construction of a new home, the builder must ensure that they used radon-resistant techniques and meet state and local building codes. The builder must fill out the Radon Certification Form with new construction.
