When looking for a new home, you want a place where you and your family can feel safe. There are so many dangers out there in the world, and when looking for a home to buy, finding one that is safe is going to be high up on the list for most of us.
One problem that might pop up, however, is that a home that looks like it is alright to the bare eye could have hidden, serious dangers . We are going to consider three health dangers that can be found especially in older homes that a home inspection would reveal.
Asbestos (For Older Homes)
We all know that asbestos in old homes is often associated with severe health conditions. For example, it could cause a type of cancer called mesothelioma. It has been banned from use for decades now, but it is still present in older homes for sale.
Common areas where you may find asbestos on older homes are:
- Siding and roofing materials. Shingles and rigid cement-like panels should be checked for asbestos.
- Insulation. This could be inside your walls, in your attic, or even wraps around pipes and appliances.
- Surface and coatings. It is possible that floor or ceiling tiles contain asbestos, and also some types of paint.
Unless asbestos is disturbed, it shouldn’t pose a danger to you and your family, but in a renovation or repair, the fibers could become airborne and these could then be inhaled.
A home inspector will need to check the presence of asbestos to report and help decide what to do next.
Radon (The Invisible Killer)
Exposure to radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is naturally found in the soil. Mitigation is recommended once radon gas levels in the home reach four picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and above.
Radon gas usually starts to accumulate in lower levels of your home, such as crawlspaces and basements, and then it begins to travel through openings and cracks, finding its way to reach the living area.
To solve the problem, a mitigation process is needed. Depending on where the gas is entering your home and your home layout, this can be anywhere from a simple process to one that is fairly intrusive. Fans and a ventilation system can be used to funnel the gas outside your home.
Some locations are more prone to radon gas, and without the right tools, you will not be able to identify its presence. Being aware of the areas where radon issues are common will help you decide whether or not to get a radon inspection, but there is a chance that even low risk area homes have problems.
Lead (Dangerous Plumbing and Paint)
Many homebuyers today are already familiar with the risk of lead-based paint. This is much more common in homes built before 1978. A copy of the lead-based paint disclosure form needs to be included in the listing and selling documents
The most straightforward lead-based paint mitigation process is to seal affected areas with a new paint coating. But this won’t be a perfect solution since the soil around the home and plumbing pipes might already be contaminated.
When it comes to your plumbing lines, a complete replacement might be necessary.
You can get your home tested for high levels of lead. It is important to remember that the water quality reports that you might receive if you are connected to the municipal water system aren’t going to tell the full story. The pipes in your home can add significant levels of lead to your drinking water. This issue needs to be taken care of immediately because we would not want to risk contaminating the water we use every day for washing up and drinking.
Homebuyers need a professional home inspector with the correct tools to test the presence of these health hazards in your home to keep it safe and comfortable to live in.
Some other articles that you might find interesting are What are the Most Common Home Safety Hazards? and 15 Ways To Protect Your Home From Burglars.