Creating A Positive Environment

Over the years there has been quite a lot of media coverage concerning the possible dangers of having high radon levels inside your home. In response to these concerns, there have been several state and federal laws passed that set forth to determine what radon levels will require mitigation. In order to determine whether or not the levels of radon gas in your home require mitigation or not, you will first need to have a home radon level inspection. Read on to get more information about these inspections and what you can do to correct the problem if your home does in fact have high radon levels.

What Is Radon And How Does It Get In Your Home?

Radon is a gas that is naturally produced when uranium breaks down. This gas is present in almost all soil samples. However, the levels of radon gas present in the soil can vary dramatically from one location to the next. In some cases, radon gas will seep into your home through pores in the concrete foundation or through an open sump pump. Radon gas can also leak into your home through cracks or gaps in your windows and doors or around the pipes that enter your home. 

How Do Home Radon Tests Work?

There are several different types of home radon tests. Short-term tests are designed to be used for anywhere from just a couple of days up to a full week. These short-term tests collect radon particles from the air inside an activated charcoal filter. Once the testing period is up the testing device is sent to a lab in order to get the results. 

Long-term radon tests work in a similar manner as short-term tests. However, these testing devices are designed to sample the air in your home over the course of several months. These long-term tests are often considered far more accurate since radon levels inside your home can fluctuate constantly. By testing the air supply over a longer period of time you will get a clearer idea of the average radon levels inside your home.

What Should You Do If Your Radon Test Comes Back Showing High Levels?

If a home radon test shows that you have high levels of radon gas in your home, you will need to install a system known as a radon mitigation or radon eradication system. The way these systems work is by using a fan to pull in the radon gas from the soil beneath your home and then venting this gas through a pipe that exits out of the side of your home. While there are systems available that are designed to be installed on a do-it-yourself basis, it is typically best to have this type of radon mitigation system installed by a professional in order to ensure the radon gas is properly and safely vented from your home. Contact a professional for home radon level inspections today.