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  • If you are buying a house and having a radon test done in basement and buyer leaves windows open right before the test or during the test, do you think he is trying to hide something? Would you say the results (which came back slightly above recommended EPA levels) are unreliable?

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    05.13.08, 06:36 PM [ Flag ]
    • ^^Sorry meant seller (not buyer) leaves windows open

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      05.13.08, 06:37 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • I would. I'd be suspicious and redo the test.

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      05.13.08, 06:37 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • yes. windows need to be closed.

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      05.13.08, 06:37 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • OP - Thanks. We are down to the wire and ready to close but now this is causing angst on all sides so we have become suspicious.

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      05.13.08, 06:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • test is invalid if windows or doors are open during it. That said radon is a bunch of bunk. a house that is lived in will almost never come up pos whereas a house that is closed up, not used, abandoned, foreclosed whatever will almost always come up pos. the whole thing is ridiculous. signed former RE mom

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      05.13.08, 06:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • OP - Perhaps but our bank will not give us financing if we do not remediate the problem.

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        05.13.08, 06:40 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • well if it's already been done then yes it has to be remediated. But again if the windows or doors were opened during the test, it is invalid. So it really should be performed a 2nd time and the seller will have to pay for remediation. If they refuse you can walk away from the deal and the seller will be legally bound to disclose the pos test to any potential buyers going forward

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          05.13.08, 06:43 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • Thanks. Sellers are being incredibly difficult about this and I smell a rat

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            05.13.08, 06:45 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • np - we went through this on the selling end 2 years ago and yes, they must close all windows - there are specifications on the test they have to follow. I would mandate a retest with an electronic monitor, not the little canisters which can be inaccurate. Our house was only 4 years old, BTW, but the basement was blasted out of rock, so we were not surprised there was radon - not terribly high but over the EPA threshold. Remediation cost about $1100 (in CT).

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              05.13.08, 06:48 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • OP - I wasn't there when the test was being done but I assume that guy during the test would not do it if windows were/had been open. I need to re-check with DH on this.

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        05.13.08, 06:41 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • spoken like I said it myself. total scam.

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        05.13.08, 06:46 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • OP - Would you ever be able to smell the radon in the basement?

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      05.13.08, 06:39 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • unreliable, but i have no idea how much difference closed windows would matter. people shouild be testing for asbestos in house, much worse to your health.

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      05.13.08, 06:48 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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