The Importance Of Testing Your Home For Radon

Most people don't even know that radon exists, but many homes have elevated levels of this potentially lethal gas. You should test your home's radon levels as soon as possible to avoid the problematic effects of long-term exposure.  

What Is Radon Gas?

Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs when uranium decays. It develops in rocks, soil, and water, and it can make its way into your home through these sources or other contaminated materials. The biggest issue is when it isn't correctly ventilated and becomes trapped inside your home and builds up over time to dangerous levels. 

Should You Use a Home Test Kit?

If you've never tested your home for radon gases before, you can use an at-home test to detect its presence. It will take a day or so to perform the testing, and you should put the kit at the lowest point in your home for accuracy. After you complete the test, you will need to send the kit to a lab for them to process the results for you, which may take a few additional days.

Unfortunately, these tests don't determine radon levels but simply detect the presence of the gas. If you find out that you have it in your home, you will need to call professionals to come in for further tests and to come up with a solution. However, an at-home test is an easy and affordable way to find out if radon is something you need to worry about or not. 

Hiring Professionals

The best way to figure out if you have dangerous radon gas levels in your home is to hire professionals. They will come in and perform a thorough test of the air and water in your home and the soil on your property. One of the benefits of hiring professionals is that they can test the radon levels over a more extended period to accurately detect the problem since levels can rise and fall over time. 

If you hire professionals specializing in radon gas detection, they will likely also offer services to correct the issue. The specific solution will depend on the severity of the problem, the source of the radon gas, and whether you have a basement, foundation slab, or crawl space. In most cases, the team will set up a system using fans and pipes to send the polluted air out of your house through your roof.

For more information, schedule a radon home inspection


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