How much do you know about radon? If you’re like most of us, your answer is probably “not much”. The average homeowner is not aware of what radon is or where it comes from. Here are just a few tips to help you learn how to rid your home of radon.
Radon is dangerous.
Radon cannot be detected by sight or smell. It’s a radioactive gas the forms from decayed elements in the ground like uranium. Radon is found in soil and will enter the home through its foundation and walls. Radon levels are highest in basements and those spaces closest to the soil beneath your home.
How is radon harmful?
Radon breaks down into solid radioactive elements and attaches to particles, such as dust, which can be inhaled. According to the EPA, radon is a leading cause of lung cancer. We are not able to see or smell radon, therefore, we are unable to determine radon levels in our home unless radon levels are tested by a professional.
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Every home is at risk from radon.
From new construction to Victorian, all home types and ages should be tested for radon in order to know its radon levels. The home directly across the street from your home may test at different radon levels, so don’t rely on your neighbor’s radon test results to determine your own.
Here’s how to test for radon.
Hire a professional who specializes in radon testing. A professional will use a device to monitor your home’s radon levels over a period of anywhere from 2 to 5 days. Those results will then be analyzed by professionals who can advise if it is necessary to take action to rid your home of radon. Fortunately, radon mitigation is not complicated and is relatively inexpensive. Professionals will also put our mind at ease about radon, and answer your questions.
High radon levels? Here’s how to fix the problem.
So you’ve discovered your home’s radon levels are high. Now what? Contact a qualified radon mitigation contractor. The contractor will install a radon mitigation system that draws the radon from beneath your home and releases the gas to the outdoors. The average cost of a radon mitigation system ranges anywhere from $800 to around $1,500.
To answer all your questions about How to Rid Your Home of Radon and to read more about radon, visit RadonResources.com. This National Radon Directory is the only database that consolidates state and county-specific radon info.