If you’re on the market for a new home, you are probably worried about things like crime rates, the schools in your new neighborhood, how close the home will be to your job, how close your neighbors are, and many other factors. You may also be concerned with things like how large the kitchen will be, how many bedrooms you need, and if there is any obvious damage that you will have to deal with later.
You are probably not thinking much about hidden dangers. However, you should be, as there are several hidden dangers that can make living in your new home actually risky. Here are the things you should check for before moving into your new space:
Mold
Mold is actually easier to spot than the other items on this list, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be hidden. Many times, mold will find its way into ductwork and other areas you wouldn’t think to look, and while mold can seem harmless, it can cause issues. Many people are sensitive to mold, and these individuals can experience symptoms like wheezing, nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, eye irritation, and other issues if they come into contact with it. For people with compromised immune systems, mold can pose an even greater threat, as it can be breathed in and cause lung infections. Fortunately, a good home inspector can easily spot a mold issue before you ever even move into your home.
Lead Paint
Although lead is a naturally occurring element, it can cause a lot of health issues if it is ingested or inhaled. This is especially true where children are concerned. Children exposed to lead may develop learning problems, lowered IQ, slowed growth, hearing issues, and more. The problem is that lead was actually widely used as an industrial ingredient before these problems effects were well known. This means that if you buy a home build before the 1970s, there is probably lead paint in it. The lead paint is below many other layers of paint generally, so it should not pose a threat unless it is disturbed. But you do need to know if your home contains lead paint so that you can take safety precautions if you decide to do any renovations. This is because lead paint can enter the air during renovations and then be easily inhaled.
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that is actually completely undetectable unless you use special equipment. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but it is far from harmless. Radon exposure is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths after smoking. Each year, 20,000 people die of lung cancer associated with radon exposure in the US alone.
The scary part is that a little under 1 in 15 US homes in the US will have a radon problem. The good news is that an inspector can easily detect radon, and once it is detected, the problem can be dealt with using a radon remediation process. If you’re about to buy a home, it is a good idea to have a specialist check the radon levels, that way the problem can be dealt with before you ever move in.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you are purchasing a new home. If you check for these three hidden dangers, you are a little closer to ensuring that your family has a safe and healthy space in which to live.
