add on inspections

Radon Testing in Ohio is important because it is known for its elevated levels of radon gas, due to the specific mineral content in the soils. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, but you can’t tell if a home has high radon levels unless you test for it.

If a home does test high for radon levels, then that is something that your agent can help negotiate, possibly for a credit or for a radon mitigation system.

During the test, the radon monitor is always set in the lowest living area of the home, even if it is an unfinished basement. These areas may be converted into bedrooms, office space, or a play area for the kids, so it is important to test at this location. It is in the lower parts of the home where the concentrations are highest. 

Whether a home has a basement, crawlspace, or is on a slab, it should still be tested for radon, according to the EPA. If a home has a radon mitigation system, it’s always good to check when the last test was performed.

Sewer Scope in Ohio is another important service that is suggested, particularly for single-family homes and townhomes, where the owner is responsible for the condition of the line from the home to the city’s or HOA’s main sewer line.

While we believe this is one of the most important add-on inspections for all properties due to the high cost of repair, it is even more important for older homes.

Many older homes will have original sewer lines made from clay or cast-iron piping. Older pipes are more prone to issues like root intrusion, cracking, and offsets than newer PVC lines. We highly recommend a sewer scope on these types of lines.

What about septic systems? Many people tell us that they don’t need a sewer scope because the property is on a septic system. However, the main sewer line from the home to the septic tank is still susceptible to the same issues as a line from a home to a public sewer pipe and it should be checked.

Agents and buyers need to ensure that the septic tank itself and the rest of the septic system are properly inspected by a qualified septic servicer as well.

Problems with a sewer line can be very costly to repair, so it is always a good idea to have an independent and unbiased scope of the line. What is out of sight should not be out of mind!