Get rid off environmental hazards before buying a house
When you’re going to invest your money to buy yourself a home, along with the other factors you should also consider the environmental hazards associated with real estate property, before you choose a home.
Environmental hazards in real estate
Environmental hazards are toxic elements, electromagnetic fields and radiation which cause harm to humans. The hazardous material can be found in the soil, water, air, or can be a part of the building itself. These hazards have very adverse effect on the real estate values and on human health. So, prior to buying a property, you should have a thorough inspection of it.
Types of environmental hazards
The types of environmental hazards associated with a property are:
· UST: Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) is used to store motor oil and sometimes toxic wastes from industrial sites. With the passage of time, these tanks corrode and start leaking. When the tank leaks, toxic materials get mixed with the ground water and ultimately prove fatal to the persons consuming it.
· Asbestos: It is a mineral used for construction as it is a good insulator and also fireproof. It was used in pipes, water heater, linoleum floor, etc. But, this material causes lung disease and cancer along with other breathing problems. So, before buying a house, you should check whether or not asbestos is used in any part of the house.
· Radon: It is a radioactive gas, causing lung cancer, which can enter houses through cracks and holes, which are below the ground level. It can also contaminate through air, if a house is air-tight. You should use radon-detection kit before buying a house.
You should make sure to undergo each and every test to detect any environmental hazard associated with your real estate property, before you finalize your purchase.