Radon Inspection
What is Radon Inspection?
What is Radon Inspection?
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. Radon can enter the home by moving through concrete cracks and common building materials like wood and sheetrock. Over time, radioactive radon gas can build up, leading to poor indoor air quality and health issues for you and your loved ones
We are licensed Radon measurement technicians.
Radon risk factors and health issues
Radon is a carcinogen, or substance that can cause cancer with prolonged exposure. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that radon causes between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, and is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Because it can take years for radon symptoms to appear, catching radon early on can protect you and your family down the line.
What homes are at higher risk for Radon?
While every homeowner should test their home for radon, here are a few factors that may indicate higher risk:
- Location: Some regions are known to have higher radon rates than others. The Appalachian Mountains and Upper Midwest have higher rates, while the Southeast has lower rates. Check the EPA’s map to estimate your risk. Keep in mind that low risk areas do not guarantee that your house is risk-free from potentially elevated radon levels.
- Foundation Type: Older homes with dirt floors in the basement have nothing to slow the rise of radon gas from the soil. Exposed crawl spaces also allow radon to rise into living areas unchecked.
- Foundation Damage: Radon can seep through concrete, but foundation slabs and walls with cracks make it easier for extra radon gas to seep in.
- Other Construction Gaps: Any gap in the foundation can allow radon to enter the home. Common examples are gaps around pipes and wires, construction joints where walls and floors meet, and open sump pumps.
- Well Water: Groundwater can also contain radon. If you rely on a well, have your water quality tested regularly for contaminants, including radon.
How to test your home for radon
To get the most accurate results, have your home tested for radon by a professional. A qualified inspector knows exactly where to place the radon device to get the best results, and can inspect the rest of your home for problem spots where radon can seep in.
- Short-Term Radon Test Kit
- Continuous Radon Tests
- Long-Term Radon Tests