Health Hazards at Home: Why Environmental Testing Is a Must Do
Buying a home is one of life’s biggest milestones—and one of the most expensive. While standard home inspections are essential, they often overlook environmental issues that can impact a family’s health – and that can be a big price to pay.
Therefore, it is wise to invest in environmental testing before your clients sign along the dotted line.
Testing Can Uncover Hidden Dangers
No matter their age or location, homes can harbor harmful substances like mold, lead, asbestos, radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can contain poor indoor air quality and polluted water as well. Any one of these can trigger serious health issues—from respiratory conditions to long-term chronic illness.
The key is to test for these contaminants either before one purchases a home, or, if a seller, before the home is put on the market.
For Buyers:
An environmental inspection before closing can save tens of thousands of dollars in future remediation and repair costs—and ultimately protect a family’s health.
For Sellers:
If issues are detected before listing or going under contract, there will be time to remediate and avoid last-minute delays or failed deals.
“Smart buyers want to be sure that the home they are about to purchase contains a healthy environment,” says Fiona Dogan, a real estate agent with Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty in Rye, New York. She also recommends environmental testing to sellers: “This can help you sell your home faster and avoid costly rush charges to fix last-minute problems.”
What Environmental Inspections Involve
Because environmental inspections are becoming a must-do for savvy buyers and sellers, and a must-recommend for real estate professionals, the question becomes, who should do the work?
Because most standard home inspectors aren’t certified or equipped to provide this service, it is important to turn to a certified environmental testing company.
Their inspectors use state-of-the-art technology. They also take into consideration the age, condition, and location of the home when testing and preparing their reports.
The inspectors can test for; Mold and moisture intrusion
- Lead paint and dust
- Asbestos in hundreds of materials including tiles, insulation, and walls
- Water contamination
- Indoor air quality
When working with an independent, certified testing company, be sure they don’t also perform remediation as that can lead to a conflict of interest. Best to ask them for recommendations of companies that just do remediation work.
Trusted for Over 30 Years
Two-thirds of people in the US have experienced mold of some form in their home. Toxins like VOCs, mold, and radon are invisible—and can exist in even the cleanest homes. Detecting these threats takes specialized equipment, licensed professionals, and years of experience.
Partner with RTK Environmental
As you guide your clients through the home-buying or -selling process, offer them peace of mind with a professional environmental inspection.
RTK Environmental is a trusted partner for home inspectors throughout Southern New York, Northern New Jersey, and Connecticut. When inspectors discover signs of mold or other hazards, they often call RTK for follow-up testing as well to protect themselves from liability and ensure their clients receive expert evaluation.
RTK provides:
- Independent testing with no remediation conflict
- Fast turnaround—detailed reports in as little as 24 hours
- Simultaneous testing for mold, lead, asbestos, and more
- Certified compliance with New York State Mold Laws
- Fair, transparent pricing
If you’d like to learn more about which tests are right for your property or client, call us at 800.392.6468 or visit RTKEnvironmental.com.
