Right now, there may be a radioactive gas building up in your home, and you would have no idea. Radon is invisible, odorless, and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States — responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths per year according to the EPA. And Northeast Ohio sits in EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-risk designation in the country.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It seeps upward through the ground and enters homes through foundation cracks, pipe penetrations, sump pits, and any gap between the structure and the soil. It accumulates in basements and lower levels where ventilation is limited.
The glacial deposits and shale formations that underlie most of Northeast Ohio produce elevated radon concentrations. The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Studies of Ohio homes show a significant percentage testing above that threshold — in some counties, the majority of untested homes are presumed to be at or above action level.
A radon test takes 48 hours using a continuous electronic monitor. The test is non-invasive, requires minimal preparation, and the results are available the same day as the inspection. The cost is a fraction of what mitigation runs if you discover the problem after you move in.
Radon is fixable. A sub-slab depressurization system — a pipe and fan that vents radon from beneath the foundation to the outside air — typically reduces levels by 80 to 99 percent. Mitigation costs in Ohio generally run $800 to $1,500. That's a known, manageable expense. The alternative is living in a home with elevated radon levels for years without knowing it.
Front Line offers radon testing across Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Medina, and Strongsville. If you haven't tested your home, schedule a test today.
Serving Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Medina, Strongsville, and communities throughout Northeast Ohio, our experienced inspectors deliver clarity, honesty, and timely reports so you can confidently move forward with your real estate decisions.
