Have you wondered about the possible contaminants that could be present in the air inside your house?
While dealing with mold, bugs, and visible damage concerns most people, radon gas is an invisible threat that gets less attention. This gas is radioactive, and it can get into homes through small cracks in the foundations, walls, and floors.
Since you can’t smell or see it, you might not know it can cause damage to your health if you’re around it for a long time. Regardless of the age or type of house, radon gas is the second highest cause of lung cancer in the United States, following smoking.
For this reason, dealing with radon levels is very important and should be considered a top priority. Through testing, homeowners can detect radon at an early stage and do something about it.
Having said that, let’s see how radon testing works and why you should prioritize its mitigation process.
How Radon Testing Works
Radon testing is a simple procedure that provides precise readings on the amount of radon gas in a building. There are two common types of tests: either short-term or long-term.
Short-term radon tests for seven to two days provide an instant reading of air’s radon concentration. Long-term tests take over 90 days and provide a more accurate assessment of what exposure is like over the course of one year.
For precise readings, experts use sophisticated technology, such as continuous radon monitors and passive charcoal canisters. The technology is typically placed in zones likely to receive a concentration of radon, for instance, the basement or shared spaces closest to the ground.
Once the testing is completed, the data collected is reviewed to determine whether there is a necessity for mitigation or not. Testing is easy, is not uncomfortable, and provides you with accurate information about any risk available.
Interpreting Radon Test Results
Grasping radon test results plays a key role in making smart choices about your home’s safety. Experts measure radon levels in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests you take action if levels hit or go beyond 4.0 pCi/L.
Keep in mind even levels under this mark can be risky over time with ongoing exposure. When test results show high radon levels, experts suggest ways to fix the problem.
This doesn’t mean your house is beyond help; it means you should take steps to lower radon to safe levels. If tests show low levels, it’s still a good idea to check again from time to time after you make changes to your house.
Testing often helps make sure radon stays low and your indoor air remains safe for everyone at home.
The Role of Professional Mitigation Systems
When high radon levels show up, the next move is to cut down on it, bringing the radon gas to safe amounts. This means putting in a system to lower radon, like sub-slab depressurization.
This approach uses a fan and pipe to pull radon from under the house and push it out above the roof so it doesn’t get into the living areas. Experts check each house to create systems that work well for the building’s specific design and base.
These setups are highly productive and, when implemented and maintained, can significantly reduce radon levels. Some houses may require additional sealing of entry points or adjustments to airflow systems.
Regular retesting ensures that the fix remains effective over time. Hiring a reliable professional to handle both inspections and repairs provides a comprehensive solution tailored to your home’s specific needs.
Why Radon Testing Should Be a Priority
Radon testing often slips from homeowners’ minds, but it’s one of the most crucial steps to take for a healthy home environment. Unlike mold or carbon monoxide, radon doesn’t show visible signs, which makes it easy to overlook.
However, its long-term effects on health make it a quiet yet dangerous threat that needs your attention. It’s crucial to have professional radon testing done during home sales, after home renovations, or if you’ve never had it done before.
This simple step can have a significant impact, allowing you to take action before issues arise. Testing often helps you monitor radon levels over time and make informed decisions about where you live.
By doing this, you’re not only keeping your family safe now but also ensuring the house is safer for whoever lives there next. Just knowing you’ve done it can give you peace of mind, making radon testing a smart move for the future.
Conclusion
Radon poses a quiet yet significant threat that affects the health and safety of every home. Since you can’t see or smell it, you’ll know it’s there through expert testing.
Pretending it’s not a problem won’t make the danger go away; it just increases long-term health risks for people who spend a lot of time indoors. Testing for radon is an affordable and straightforward step that can make a significant difference.
To check, you should test, as part of your usual environmental safety checks, whether you live in an old house, build a new one, or buy property. If tests show high levels, good fix-up systems can lower the danger.
With the right checks and expert assistance, you can maintain a safe and healthy home. Taking action on radon isn’t just a smart move; it’s key to keeping what’s most important safe: your health and your family’s well-being.
