Radon Gas affected - what to do ?

meg0210

Hi, I am now in an very advanced stage of purchasing a property, but only recently have got the local search which stated that the property that I am buying is in a Radon Gas affected area where 1-3% of homes are above active level (the earlier environmental search had a contraditary result, though) . Although it did not say that the property I am buying is affected, I am very worried about it and wonder what to do. The report said that the house owner should complete a 3-month test, and have a report showing whether the property is affected but I am sure the seller does not have it or even has not done such a test. As I am not going to move in straightaway after the purchase, the "retention option" will not apply.
Can anyone give me any advice?
Thanks a lot!

cornishchick89

Hi,

are you looking at buying in Cornwall by any chance?

We live in an area with a higher than average radon concentration and recently had a test done for free as part of a survey. You can get these radon detectors for the house for about £50 (sadly no longer free!) which you have to keep in the same place (away from TVs and stereos - these affect results) for a couple of months then you post them back and get the results.

Our results came back as expected showing that our house had an above average concentration of radon. The advice given was to ensure that the house remains ventilated (e.g. by opening the windows!) but there are several options you have to help reduce the levels that cost a bit more. Radon sumps, positive ventilation and under floor ventilation are all options -there is a lot of information on the UKradon website: ukradon.org (sorry cannot post links!).

Tests normally take 3 months so if the person has not had one done then you will have to get a survey done - again more info on the website above.

If it is any help my entire family have lived in Cornwall for centuries, mainly in the high radon areas (i.e. close to the granites) and we have all been fine! There is an increased risk to your health if you smoke so if you do make sure you ventilate your new house well!

Hope something there helps!

Werdnal

I live in Cornwall too, and if everyone who was concerned about radon moved, the country would be very quiet!

My house is in a high area, and although we were offered a free test, we didn't bother as its bound to be off the scale. We have woodburners, and the chimneys help vent the property. Its only since the advent of "hermetically" sealed double-glazed houses with no chimneys, that Radon as become an issue.

There are measures you can take, I believe they can install a sump under the house to collect the radon and vent it outside, but I've no idea what that costs. New builds here have had to have membranes installed in the floors for some time now.

If you are concerned, do a search online and find a company who deals with radon protection, and see what the options are.

Davesnave

meg0210 wrote: »

Hi, I am now in an very advanced stage of purchasing a property, but only recently have got the local search which stated that the property that I am buying is in a Radon Gas affected area where 1-3% of homes are above active level...
Can anyone give me any advice?
Thanks a lot!

That's the same as rather a lot of properties and nothing like the levels in the hot spots. You don't have to live in Cornwall or on granite to have Radon.

We were in that group and living on limestone at the time. As the house had badly sited/blocked air bricks, I replaced those and added another. I didn't do a retest, but as we weren't too bad before, I considered I'd done enough.

Interesting comment by Werdnal about woodburners. I worked in a place where there was one room which was deemed a Radon hazard area, and that had an electric kiln in it, but no flue. The powers that be installed a low power, fanned flue and that brought the readings right down.

00ec25

there was athread about radon 9 days ago
some answers to your questions already on there
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4169887

PropertySage

the HPA (dot) org (dot) uk website is a great source of info on this. I can't post the actual link as newbies can't insert links!