Radon testing can help you determine if the levels of radon in your house are safe. Because every American home is exposed to radon gas, it’s a step that no one should skip. One in every 15 houses in the United States is projected to have radon levels at or above the EPA action threshold.
You have the option of doing it yourself or hiring a residential radon testing firm to do it for you. The distinction is that the latter is more knowledgeable, having completed qualifications and training.
The amount of radon in the air can change over time. Depending on the weather, it might grow or decrease. Even though your home passed the initial radon gas test, it will continue to emit radon gas in the future. As suggested by the EPA, you may either test for radon once every two years or install permanent monitoring equipment.
Causes of Radon in Your Home
The most prevalent sources of radon buildup in your house are listed below. Any of these sources can leak the poisonous gas into your house, where it will get trapped and dangerously high.
- Soil: The earth underneath your house is the most dangerous source of radon. It gets into your house through fractures, crevices, and porous materials.
- Gaps and cracks: Because of cement’s porous nature, cement foundations are particularly problematic. Radon may easily enter your home through cracks in the foundation, holes in your flooring, and around pipes.
- Rocks: A substantial part of the radon that escapes your home comes from the stones beneath your property. Veins of radioactive elements degrade into radon in rocks and stones.
- Natural stone: Radon may exist in small levels in any natural stone in your house. Granite is the most prevalent source of radon gas emissions from natural stone, despite its low levels.
- Water from the well: While radon gas from well water and other sources makes only a small percentage, it can accumulate to dangerous amounts. Discharge of this gas occurs when you brush your teeth or wash the dishes.
Importance of Hiring a Residential Radon Testing Company
Radon is a deadly gas that goes unnoticed. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office, radon is responsible for over 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all houses be tested for radon, particularly if you are buying, selling, or developing a home. A professional or a homeowner can conduct testing using a “do-it-yourself” kit. Either the professional service or the home test kit must be EPA-approved.
Testing can be done on a short-term (two to 90 days), or long-term basis since radon levels change from day to day and season to season (greater than three months). While DIY kits are available, it is still recommended that you engage a residential radon testing firm to complete the job for you. They know how to test for radon gas in your house using the most effective approach.
Types of Radon Gas Testing Devices
Radon test instruments have two types: passive and active. Passive devices do not require electricity and often catch radon for laboratory examination later. Charcoal canisters, alpha track detectors, and electret ion detectors are passive devices.
While passive devices may appear to be a simple way to test for radon, they aren’t as accurate as active devices since radon gas levels change significantly.
Radon is continually detected and recorded by active equipment. They are typically more expensive, and their functioning necessitates the use of highly qualified testers.
If a radon test reveals levels of 4 pCi/L or more, radon mitigation should be done. Radon may be minimized by either preventing it from entering the house or eliminating it after it has. Active ventilation, either in the basement or beneath the house’s slab, is the usual approach.
Trust Radon Testing Companies for Accurate Radon Level Analysis
While a DIY radon testing kit can provide you with a fast picture of radon levels in your home, it isn’t always reliable. Residential radon testing Aurora CO businesses or any other specialist in other states may assist you in establishing if your home’s radon levels are still safe. Furthermore, if radon levels are determined to be hazardous, they can assist with radon mitigation and abatement.