Radon gas is a real threat to homes and the families that live in them in America. It is linked to lung conditions and certain cancers. At Strouse Home Inspections, we help homeowners test for radon and enact plans for mitigating it when levels are too high. If you are unfamiliar with radon, however, here are some things that you should really know about this silent, invisible foe.
Understanding What Radon Is
In order to fight an enemy, you have to understand it. So, what is radon? Basically, radon is a gas that is the byproduct of decaying uranium in soil. Radon gas is radioactive and as we mentioned, it is linked heavily to lung cancer. In fact, behind smoking, radon exposure is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. As uranium decay breaks down into radon gas, it can seep into your home through your foundation. The bad news is that radon is colorless and odorless, and therefore you need a specialized test to confirm its presence.
How a Radon Test Works
Older homes are more likely to be at risk for radon, but it is always a good idea to get your home tested for this gas every few years. There are different types of tests, but the ones we use at SHI are 48-hour tests. They are non-intrusive. We set our testing device up in the lowest part of your home, usually the basement. This is where radon levels will be at their highest concentration. After 48 hours, we come and pick the device up and share the readings with you. If your reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, mitigation is recommended.
What Radon Mitigation Looks Like
If your radon levels come back dangerously high, radon mitigation is needed. For your convenience, SHI offers radon testing and radon mitigation. You don’t have to shop around for a licensed contractor to do this work. We will help you lower the levels of this dangerous gas sooner rather than later. To do this, we install a system that runs from the base of your home up and out through the top of your home. This system works to redirect the gas out of your living space.
As you can see, radon gas is dangerous and should be considered a serious threat. If you are ready to test the radon levels in your home or need radon mitigation, let Strouse Home Inspections help with that.
By Strouse Home Inspections 3-21-2023
