Radon Gas in valuation - What the hell does this mean?

Mrs_Pepperpot_2

Hi,

Stupid time to buy a house I know but tired of renting etc....

Just had mortgage valuation back and it says "Tests by the National radiological Protection Board have identified some properties in the area as having levels of Radon gas in excess of the limits considered acceptable"

No idea what this means but are we likely to get the same comment on any valuation for a house in this area???

Does anyone know what Radon Gas is and the dangers?

What should be my next step? we weren't going to have survey done as family all builders and talked us out of it. Not so sure now

budget_counsellor_shaz

This gives a map of all the places in England that have Radon

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/radon/radon_maps/index.htm

This tells you about radon and the risks

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/radon/index.htm

Parts of the south west are covered in radon!

Mrs_Pepperpot_2

Thanks.

Do I have to move county now:rolleyes:

guppy

Even if you pay for a more expensive survey, they won't test for Radon. There are kits on the site Shaz posted, but they take three months to use by the looks of it.

If its a very modern house some (in affected areas) have a sump and vent pipe to collect and disperse it. For what its worth, I never heard of any deaths directly linked to Radon, surely its a tiny theoretical risk? I'm not an expert though.

Mrs_Pepperpot_2

Old house!
Usual things - damp, electrics etc.... just wasn't expecting the whole Radon thing. Guess I should have been when you look at the radon map - and to think we moved to the South West to get way from the horrible Midlands air!

Romani_Ite_Domum

Hi Mrs P,
Radon tests are very common here in Cornwall. Basically, granite is radio-active and the gas radon, leeches up through it.

I think it has been linked to cancer but there is very little evidence.

You put a little kit in the house and if it comes up above the limit, they recommend remeadial action which as already has been said, means fitting a venting pump, my old neighbour had this.

It is usually old houses with supended floors ( nothing but earth underneath) that require this but other houses can also get excess results.

If it is an area that is prone to this then it would be worth checking with the vendors to see if a test has been done in the past.

It's not a show stopper, but just something to think about.

adr0ck

guppy wrote: »

I never heard of any deaths directly linked to Radon, surely its a tiny theoretical risk? I'm not an expert though.

around about 1000 people die each year due to radon

radon gives you lung cancer

dashforth

After you move in you can test for Radon (3 months) and if your house is above acceptable levels you can take action to bring the level down. The most it could cost would be £1,000 - normally a lot less.

adr0ck

good article here

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressreleases/2004/december/62528

Mrs_Pepperpot_2

Thanks for all links, comments etc...

1000 people a year in uk do die of radon related cancer a year it seems but evidence suggests that the risk in non smokers is low.

I have just spoken to EA who says that this line has been on pretty much every valuation report they have had in the last few years. The house is on edge of Dartmoor! (Am I naive to trust this?)

Looks like any house in that area would have same caveat (sp!)on valuation so not as worried as I was this morning!

boyse7en

In Devon and Cornwall you'ld be lucky to find any house that doesn't mention Radon on the survey. I think it is just a standard part they add on.

I wouldn't worry about it. I don't give it a thought, and I've lived in Devon all my life.