Radon Disclosures Must Be Included in All Minnesota Real Estate Transactions

What is Radon? It’s a colorless, odorless radioactive gas— its fumes can seep from the earth. Inhaling this gas can cause radioactive particles to damage the lining in the lungs. It is believed that exposure to radon can be deadly. It is estimated that there are approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the US each year. Radon is thought to be the culprit.

It is estimated that Radon is the second cause of lung cancer. This is a sufficient amount among non-smokers. Smoking is the first leading cause of lung cancer.

Radon Disclosure for Real Estate transactions

Radon exists throughout the United States.  The state of Minnesota’s ratio of homes with radon is 2 in every 5 homes. The poses a significant health risk to individuals living in the homes with no idea of the risk.  Minnesota's geology and the climate help contribute to the way homes are built and the production of radon.  

There are components that affect the levels of radon that accumulate in a home. The gas seeps through conduits entering a home through openings between the home and the soil. Air pressure between a home's interior and the exterior soil contributes to the draw of radon gas into the home.

Radon Disclosure for Real Estate transactions

Here are some components that contribute to radon entering a home. The following information was provided by the Minnesota Department of Health:

Cracks in concrete slabs

Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-block foundations

Pores and cracks in concrete blocks

Floor-wall joints

Exposed soil, as in a sump or crawl space

Weeping (drain) tile, if drained to an open sump

Mortar joints

Loose fitting pipe penetrations

Open tops of block walls

Building materials: brick, concrete, rock

Well water (not commonly a major source in Minnesota homes)

The Minnesota Department of Health provides the following information to protect your family from the dangers of radon.

Test your home - obtain a test kit

Reduce your exposure - reduce radon gas by taking action to reduce radon entry into your home
Protect your loved ones - tell your family and friends to test so they are not exposed to a deadly gas in their homes.

Frozen Pipes in the Deep Freeze of Winter

Home owners should be aware of the effects the cold snap or deep freeze can have. A deep freeze can reap havoc on water pipes. Freezing pipes are common during this time of year. This occurs when water freezes in a pipe, causing it to expand and utilize pressure of approximately 2,000 lbs per square inch.

The effect of this occurrence is the rupturing of pipes. Once the pipes are filled with water there is no place for it to go—therefore the water freezes and enviable turns into ice which expands and ruptures.  

When a pipe explodes it can spill several hundred gallons of water per hour. This can cause thousands of dollars in damages at the home owners expense.  If pipes are frozen and have not ruptured a high powered hair dryer is one way to thaw the problem. For those who have pipes too close to a wall a cookie sheet can be placed behind the pipe which will emit heat to the pipe.