There is nothing more frightening than invisible hazards that can infiltrate your home and endanger its inhabitants. And there are few hazards more dangerous and insidious than the colorless and odorless radon gas. Radon causes more than 20,000 deaths from lung cancer each year, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
But there are several steps you can take today to prevent the spread of radon in your home, some of which may require the assistance of professionals in the field.
Step One: At-home Radon Testing
Since radon can enter your home through the soil outside, you’ll want to conduct your in-home radon testing at the lowest livable level of your house. If you need test results from between just two to seven days, you can purchase a short-term test from a local hardware store.
However, if it has been several years (or never), or you are unsure if the previous owners of your house have performed any radon testing, purchasing longer-term tests will gauge radon levels for between 90 days and a full year.
Step Two: After the Radon Test Results
Keep a watchful eye on the levels of radon detected in your home. If the level registers at a 4 pCi/L or above, additional measures will need to be taken.
Some home remedies might include a sump pump installation, vapor barriers, and a sealing over of any crawl spaces or foundation cracks.
Step Three: Nothing’s Working… So, What Next?
If you have already taken all previous steps to eradicate radon gas, and the levels are still concerningly high, it might be time to call in a local professional radon mitigation company. These specialists can provide sump pump excavation services to protect your home for years to come. They can also inspect radon testing systems that are already in place and determine if they are up to code.
While radon levels tend to be the highest in winter months due to houses being closed up tight, summer poses similar problems. After all, most houses keep their windows and doors shut while running the air conditioning. Because radon levels can fluctuate with the changing of the seasons, running regular radon tests every few months will ensure that toxins are eradicated from your house before permanent damage can be done.
Don’t wait for radon poisoning or lung cancer — keep up with routine radon testing and make sure your home and everyone in it stays safe and healthy.
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