When you buy a home or town home in Montgomery County, you are required to perform a radon test.

Radon is a form of ionizing radiation. It is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water, commonly found in soil and released harmlessly into outdoor air.

When trapped inside, it can build up and become a health hazard.

Radon enters through cracks in the foundation or walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. The EPA recommends remediations if the radiation levels in the home exceed 4pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air).

If you’ve never tested the home you live in and aren’t planning to move anytime soon, it’s still a good idea to have it tested.

Radon kits are easy to access online or in home improvement stores. Directions will cover proper placement of the device and where to send the device after the test to find out your radon level. Except for keeping windows and doors closed, the test should be conducted under your normal living conditions.

The cost of a radon mitigation system depends on the layout and foundation of your house. The average radon system costs between $800-$2,000—sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on the home.

Guest post and photo from Melinda Schnare, a real estate agent with RLAH Real Estate