Radon Testing
A qualified radon tester will use equipment to monitor radon levels
You can’t smell it, you can’t see it and you can’t taste it, but it may be a big problem in your home. It’s radon and it causes thousands of deaths each year.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, water and rock and it gets into the air we breathe. If exposed to high levels of radon for prolonged periods of time, it can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
For the sake of your safety and your family’s safety, it’s vital when purchasing a new home to have radon levels tested.
Radon can be found all over the United States and it can get into every type of building. It gets in through cracks in solid floors, cracks in walls, through construction joints, gaps in suspended floors or gaps around service pipes.
While homeowners can run a preliminary radon test by using a test kit from a hardware store, most potential buyers will require a qualified tester to conduct the test.
A qualified tester will use a piece of equipment that measures the radon levels over a period of 48 to 96 hours. The device is usually placed in a room that is used regularly, but not the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. High humidity can affect test results, so the test may need to be run longer if strong storms move through the area during the testing period.
The amount of radon in the air is measured in “Pico curies per liter of air” or pCi/L. About 0.4 pCi/L of radon is found in the outside air and the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. The EPA recommends implementing radon mitigation techniques if levels in a home are above 4 pCi/L.
There are several proven methods to reduce radon levels in a home. The right system depends on the design of the home. The one method that is primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This soil suction radon reduction system doesn’t require major changes to the home. This system is more effective when foundation cracks and other openings are sealed.
When purchasing a home, it’s good to have a Realtor, like Judi Starliper, who will walk you through every phase, like the home inspection and radon test.
What do you think of the tests you can buy at Home Depot? Do you need to go to the expense of a professional inspection?
Hey Mark! Excellent questions! Professional testing is better. Radon moves. Weather does effect it. Ventilation in the house also effects it. I suggest the 90 day professional test which more accurately depicts the average radon gas in the house. Houses with slabs are usually effected more.