What Is Radon, And How Can You Get Your Home Tested?
You've probably heard some talk about the general dangers of radon, but you may be confused about just how dangerous radon is and whether living in a home with higher levels of radon is a good idea or not. The good news is that you can take steps to minimize the amount of radon that present in your home and professionals can test and take care of remediation for you. Keep reading to learn more about radon and the radon testing process:
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. When radon is trapped in an area and can't be released, it builds up. While almost every home has radon in the soil beneath it, some homes have higher levels than normal, and that can be a problem. The radon you breathe in over time can damage your health and can even lead to lung cancer. That's why it's a good idea to have radon testing done at your home, especially if you plan to live there for many years. A radon testing company can help you do testing.
What Is a Safe Level of Radon?
Homes will have varying levels of radon. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that homeowners take steps to mitigate radon if the levels come back higher than 4 pCi/L. If your test comes back below that, there really isn't anything that you need to do.
How Is Radon Testing Done?
The good news is radon testing can be done, and it's very easy to do. You can either order a home radon testing kit to do on your own, or you can hire a professional to do radon testing for you. No matter which test is done, you'll need to wait a couple of days before you can collect the results. You can find testing that can be done within a couple of days, and you can also do long-term testing to see what radon levels are like over several months.
Can You Fix a Radon Problem?
Yes, you can. For starters, sealing cracks in the foundation or other openings of your home can help. A professional radon mitigation company can also help you. They can install a vent pipe and fan to remove some of the radon below your home and carry it out of your house. They can then re-test to make sure that your radon levels are getting lower.
If you want to test a home that you plan to buy or your current home, reach out to a radon testing and mitigation company so that you can stay safe.
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