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Three simple steps to reduce your home’s radon risk

Whether you are a Minnesota home buyer or a home seller, you likely have more than enough to worry about. Simply reading through all the legal documents that accompany a real estate purchase or sale can keep a person busy for days.

With this in mind, it’s unlikely that you want to add one more worry to your list: Radon gas.

In a recent article, we talked about the dangers of this radioactive gas. We also discussed the Minnesota Radon Awareness Act that went into effect in 2014, requiring sellers to disclose whether a test was performed and if so, what the results were.

Today, we want to list three simple steps that home buyers can take to reduce the risk of radon exposure:

  • Have the house tested. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) strongly urges all home buyers to have the property tested for radon. The text itself is fairly inexpensive, but the results could save you from dangerous health concerns down the road.
  • Consider the season. According to the MDH, testing during the heating season or non-heating season can affect the year-round average.
  • Think about the location. Have the test performed in an area of the house that you anticipate using frequently. If you test an area that you will rarely use, such as a storage room instead of a main bedroom, the results may not be as useful.
  • The bottom line is that knowing exactly what you’re getting into is always worthwhile in real estate transactions, even if it adds one more item to your “to do” list.