Denver, Colorado is home to an easy-going crowd of ambitious, health-conscious residents. Despite all this, a silent, dangerous gas known as radon gas exists in many homes without the occupants ever knowing. When inhaled over long periods, it can cause lung cancer or other long-term health issues.
What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas produced by decaying uranium. The problem arises when radon gas enters your home and gets trapped. Data from specialist radon mitigation companies using the EPA action level shows that one in 15 U.S. homes have radon quantities at or above the recommended level.
If you are moving to a new house or it has been many years since your last radon gas test, you need to invest in radon mitigation services. To help you understand how you can keep your home safe and prepare for the radon test here are some top tips:
How to Prepare for a Radon Test
- Keep your windows and doors closed before the test. This way, you can rest assured that test results are accurate without interference from the outside air. Companies that offer residential radon testing services recommend that you keep windows and doors closed for approximately 24 hours before the test begins.
- Ensure you maintain the right temperature. When your home is extremely cold or hot, this could potentially interfere with the radon test results. Denver radon testing companies recommend that your home remains within the temperature range of 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit to get the most accurate results.
- Turn off all your fans in the test area. It is important that you leave your ceiling fans off before any official radon test begins. This helps you get the most accurate representation of the standing air quality in the home, and consequently, receive the most accurate radon test results.
How to Get Rid of Radon
If you radon test results reveal that your home is above the recommended limit, it is time to consult a local radon mitigation company.
Relying on a local radon mitigation company in Colorado is vital since they have a working knowledge of the natural environment and expertise in local construction techniques. Colorado soils inherently have higher levels of uranium than other parts of the country. With help from a mitigation company with plenty of experience in the business, they can help you understand the best course to mitigate radon in the home and prevent it from happening again.
Furthermore, they have a knack for providing creative solutions. Common techniques include:
- Using a sub-slab depressurization system. This is the most common type of radon gas removal system. Technicians insert suction pipes through the floor into the concrete slab below the home. A vent fan then draws out the radon gas and releases it outside your home.
- Using a sub-membrane depressurization system. This involves sealing the dirt in a crawl space with a special plastic membrane to the foundation walls. They then use a venting method similar to that of a sub-slab-depressurization system.
- Using a heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventilator machine. This exchanges the indoor air for the outdoor air, essentially diluting the radon gas levels.
- Sealing all sump covers, holes and large cracks in the slab. This prevents the loss of vacuum pressure near the vent pipe.
Working with a professional radon mitigation company is the only way to reliably reduce radon levels below the accepted safety standard of 3.9 pCi/L. They can make suggestions for your home and help reduce the level of radon that finds its way into your home from the environment.
When you’re ready to protect your home, rely on Affordable Radon in Colorado for help.
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