Check Mark Services LLC - Westchester County Home Inspectors

Mount Kisco, NY 10549
914-646-7141
www.checkmarkservice.com

Hours: We are available by appointment 7 Days a week!

Payment: Cash, Check, Money Order, All major Credit Cards (through PayPal) Have a question? Call us. Advice is always free!

We also service the White Plains area.

Certified Infrared Thermographer, International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants, National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, National Radon Safety Board, checkmark

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Bogus Radon Results?

Be leary of radon reports that are supplied by the SELLER of a home you are interested in purchasing, no matter how recent they are dated. I was recently asked to test a home where the home owner wanted to get results "right away" and I told them that it would take a minimum of 48 hours plus "lab time". (This is standard EPA recommended protocol.) When I got to the home I noticed that the basement was "cool" considering that this is where the boiler was. The client certified that the area had been closed for the previous 12 hours and so I placed the radon detectors. I did not worry about any interference with the test because the client said they were performing the test for themselves and the health of their "small children". Upon my return to the area at the end of the test period I had to drive by the home on the way to another location. I thought I noticed that one of the basement windows was open. When I came back later (as scheduled) the window was closed, so I thought what I saw may have been a shadow or a reflection. Results from the test came back at 2.7 (an acceptable reading). I e-mailed the results to the client. Not long after I heard the property was for sale. Out of curiosity I checked the listing and found that the property had been for sale for over 2 months! I can't swear on it, but my gut tells me that the sellers were offering the potential buyers a "free radon test result" don't you?

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Posted 06:13 AM April 12, 2008

Comments:

I just had a situation like this....Our inspector used a continuous radon measuring machine and reported to us that ther was a level of 5.8 units of radon. The seller insisted it was too high...how would they know? They had their "own test" conducted and suprise! The level was 1.8. We were going to retest the home but decided to look at another home instead because we figured that they would tamper with the test somehow anyway. so instead of paying to fix the problem for $1,200 they can make 4 or 5 more mortgage payments!

Posted by J. Embry on 11:18 AM July 10, 2008

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Are Home Inspectors required to be "Certified" in NY?

Anonymous, January 13, 2012

Merchant Reply:

The answer is "NO". Home Inspectors are required to be LICENSED by the State of NY. Many Inspectors join national or state associations who then "Certify" them as members when the meet the standards of the specific association. Generally Inspectors, both Certified and Licensed, have been in business longer and are more experienced. Licensing and certification are no guarantee that you will get a good home inspector, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. So do some homework!

January 20, 2012

Can you tell me how long a radon test takes?
Anna.

Anna, November 19, 2009

Merchant Reply:

That depends...Radon testing can be performed in as little as 48 hours for NY Real Estate transactions and as long as a year for different types of long term studies.

I assume that you are asking about a Real Estate Transaction...so the simple EPA protocol is to provide for closed house conditions for at least 12 hours prior to the testing and to run either single test with a continuous radon monitor or to perform side by side "test canisters" (several types are available) and average the two results. All methods are considered "accurate" and acceptable. I hope that answers your question.

November 19, 2009

Dear Check Mark, Can you tell me more about your products that kill the Swine Flu virus?

Linda, September 22, 2009

Merchant Reply:

Hi Linda, Thanks for writing.
Our new Healthier Environment Living Program (H.E.L.P.) is the most effective LONG Term protection available. It dosent just kill things like the Swine Flu (H1N1), it continues to do so for months. Visit our New Products Page at: http://www.checkmarkservice.com/Advanced_BioShield
or HELP at: www.healthierprograms.com for full information.
If you have questions call us!

October 24, 2009

Jeff Molloy is FANTASTIC! As a woman buying a home, he didn't talk down to me or dismiss my concerns, and even came back to look at the house again when something was in question. Very professional.

Michelle in Somers, May 07, 2009