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What to do about radon testing in a new build home

WinniWoman

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So- the builder of our new home does not test for radon and will not do preventative work on the foundation as I requested.

I have reached out to some people in the community where our home is being built. Shockingly, some people have not tested for it at all- even a fireman! This is NH- the GRANITE state- where high levels of radon are almost everywhere.

My husband has a high incidence of lung cancer in his family. True- most were smokers, but still- he is very sensitive and I would not trust it. Bad enough the basement ceiling will have exposed insulation- something else we have to deal with.

So- do we pay for the builder to install the necessary radon migration thingamajig or do we wait until the house is built, test it then and if an issue, call in a company to fix it?

Also- should we get a building inspector on our own to check on this house as it is built? I am not sure how that works with a new build, but we cannot be up there to see every little thing being done.
 
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WinniWoman

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One woman who purchased a resale there said the house had high levels of it and after the inspection the seller did the remediation before she purchased it.
 

Krteczech

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We purchased an existing house with finished basement. Inspection showed elevated level of radon and the seller decided on price reduction. We had the system installed before we moved in and being in end unit really helped.
 

Panina

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When I purchased new in Pa years ago a clause was in my contract, that if tested within a certain number of days and it was higher then x, they would remidiate. If not in your contract find out if the law protects you. Otherwise it will be your expense.
 

WinniWoman

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We already know it would be at our expense because the builder does not have it in the contract and it is not required int he state to test for it. We already asked about it when we signed the contract.

We are just not sure if we should have him put in whatever the thing is before he pours the foundation since testing open dirt is not practical, or to wait until the house is done and then test for it and get a company to come in to take care of it if it is high.
 

WinniWoman

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We purchased an existing house with finished basement. Inspection showed elevated level of radon and the seller decided on price reduction. We had the system installed before we moved in and being in end unit really helped.

Yes- a resale is different than dealing with a builder.
 

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If your builder is open to it, I would get the mitigation system put in during construction and had the pipe run thru the wall. Our pipe is exposed, my friend’s pipe runs thru closet, space is at premium in our little house.
 

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Regarding the inspection as the house is built--I've read that it's very important to get a home inspection done on a new build. If you get the name of a good home inspector near your new home, that company can probably advise you on what to do, both for a general inspection and a radon inspection.
 

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WinniWoman

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If your builder is open to it, I would get the mitigation system put in during construction and had the pipe run thru the wall. Our pipe is exposed, my friend’s pipe runs thru closet, space is at premium in our little house.

We asked his realtor about it today and she said the only thing he would do is put the pipe in. But- not the mitigation system -whether we want to pay or not.

She said to test about a year after it is built in the spring or fall and then if it is high get a company to take care of it. She said often times they will pull out the pipe a builder puts in anyway and replace with their own stuff.

We will have a basement so hopefully it will not be an issue, but she claims it would all cost the same anyway.

After a while with this building stuff I do not know what to believe anymore.
 

WinniWoman

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Regarding the inspection as the house is built--I've read that it's very important to get a home inspection done on a new build. If you get the name of a good home inspector near your new home, that company can probably advise you on what to do, both for a general inspection and a radon inspection.


We were going to try for an inspector during all the stages but after talking to the realtor maybe we will jget one before we do the walk through before the house closes so as to add to the punch list if necessary. She said there could be an issue with the workers throwing an inspector off the site as they could feel he would be in the way while they are trying to get the work done.

This whole thing is becoming a PITA.
 

WinniWoman

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Panina

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We were going to try for an inspector during all the stages but after talking to the realtor maybe we will jget one before we do the walk through before the house closes so as to add to the punch list if necessary. She said there could be an issue with the workers throwing an inspector off the site as they could feel he would be in the way while they are trying to get the work done.

This whole thing is becoming a PITA.
Best time to inspect is after framing and then again once plumbing lines and electrical wiring are installed. Problems are usually hiding behind the walls.
 

WinniWoman

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Best time to inspect is after framing and then again once plumbing lines and electrical wiring are installed. Problems are usually hiding behind the walls.


But- what about the city inspector that comes as they build?
 

easyrider

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It really isn't a problem to use a vapor barrier under the basement slab before it is poured. I did. It isn't really a problem to use a concrete sealer before installing the flooring,. I did.

Radon detectors are inexpensive. I wouldn't worry too much about radon. I would worry more about other things like keeping on schedule. :thumbup:

Bill
 

WinniWoman

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It really isn't a problem to use a vapor barrier under the basement slab before it is poured. I did. It isn't really a problem to use a concrete sealer before installing the flooring,. I did.

Radon detectors are inexpensive. I wouldn't worry too much about radon. I would worry more about other things like keeping on schedule. :thumbup:

Bill


Yes. I know. But the builder seems to think it is a problem to use a vapor barrier - at least according to his realtor.
 

rapmarks

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Did you mean a humidifier or a dehumidifier?
 

Sandy VDH

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We asked about this today and she insisted he doesn't do this stuff. UGH!

I so hate basements and she also said to get a dehumidifier for the moisture issues! I HATE BASEMENTS!! Love our slab we live on now.

I so miss basements. In Canada we nearly all have basements. In Texas we only have slabs. I would take my basement with the furnace and water heater in it than have all that crap in a 160F temperature attic, especially if you have HVAC issues or your water heater has issues and leaks.
 

WinniWoman

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I so miss basements. In Canada we nearly all have basements. In Texas we only have slabs. I would take my basement with the furnace and water heater in it than have all that crap in a 160F temperature attic, especially if you have HVAC issues or your water heater has issues and leaks.


Our current house is on a slab and our boiler is in a convenient closet off our den. Only things in our attic are the AC ducts.
 
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