Radon Testing
What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It is present in nearly all soils. It is undetectable to the human senses. If it builds up, it can decrease indoor air quality and potentially lead to health issues.
Radon can enter homes through concrete cracks, wood, sheetrock, and the like. It is most commonly found in the basement. Any home can have a radon problem, new or old. Just because your neighbors don’t have a radon problem doesn’t mean that the same is true for you, and vice versa.
Why Radon Is Dangerous
The EPA has found that radon causes between 15,000-22,000 lung cancer deaths each year. It is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. If smokers live in a home with high radon levels, their risk of lung cancer is 10x higher than that of non-smokers in homes with high radon levels.
It can take years for radon symptoms to appear. As such, catching it as soon as possible is crucial to protect your future self’s health.
There is no known safe level of radon, according to the CDC, so you want to ensure that your property has the lowest levels possible. The action level is 4.0 piC/L. The only way to know the radon levels in a property is to obtain radon testing.
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Where Professionals Test For Radon
While you can do home tests, for the best results, call on the experts here at Nook-N-Kranny Home Services for professional radon testing that covers everywhere radon could be.
Some areas have a higher risk for radon than others. These include:
- Older homes with dirt floors in the crawl space
- Basement Slab (floor) damage
- Gaps in foundation
- Well water
All of these make it easier for radon gas to rise. Radon moves from soil into your home. This is easiest when there are cracks, though it can seep through concrete.
Areas likely to have radon include:
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Areas where occupants spend more time
- Most likely at or below ground level/exposed earth
Our comprehensive testing services will reveal the radon levels in your home. If test results are high, we can recommend mitigation measures to restore your property to safety.
What To Do If Radon Is Detected
If radon is detected in your home, don’t panic. The health risks from radon exposure are cumulative. You must take action, but it is not an emergency situation. You won’t need to move out or opt for the first available person to fix the issue. You can contact your state radon office for the EPA guidelines you should follow.
If radon is detected, there are steps you can take to reduce radon levels. This can be done by sealing cracks and getting a radon mitigation system installed. You can try simple solutions first before moving onto bigger ones, such as moving some insulation, sealing cracks, and the like.
Some ways to help include:
- Caulking foundation, cracks, construction joints, etc
- Installing airtight cover on sump pump
- Covering soil in crawl spaces with polyethylene plastic sheeting
- Sealing concrete (however, the EPA has found this to be temporary, at best)
- Installing fan and exhaust systems. (In-line fans draw air through a vent pipe, sucking radon from ground, then take it up the side of the house and to the eaves. There, it is dispersed harmlessly into the atmosphere.)
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When Should You Get Radon Testing?
You will want to test your home for radon if it has never been tested or you don’t know the radon levels, when you are preparing to purchase a home or put yours on the market, before and after renovations, and before making any changes that would cause people to spend more time in the lower levels of your home, as this is where radon accumulates.
You can retest every 2-5 years. It’s good to retest after making any changes to property.
Contact Nook-N-Kranny Home Services today for more information about our radon testing services in Utah and Southern Idaho.
Frequently Asked Questions
Radon Testing FAQS
What is radon and why is it a concern?
Radon is a radioactive gas that originates from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. When inhaled, radon particles can become trapped in the lungs. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of developing lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
How does radon get into a home?
Radon gas moves from the ground into a home through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Common entry points include:
- Cracks in solid floors and walls
- Construction joints
- Gaps around service pipes
- Sump pits
- Crawlspaces
Any home can have a radon problem, regardless of its age, foundation type, or whether it has a basement.
How do I test my home for radon?
There are two main types of do-it-yourself radon tests:
- Short-term tests: These are the most common and measure radon levels for a period of 48 hours: They provide a quick snapshot of the radon levels in your home.
- Long-term tests: These tests measure radon levels for more than 90 days. They provide a more accurate picture of your home’s year-round average radon level, as levels can fluctuate daily and seasonally.
You can purchase radon test kits from hardware stores, home improvement centers, and online retailers. Professional radon testing services are also available.
Where should I place the radon test?
The EPA recommends placing the radon test in the lowest lived-in level of your home. This could be a finished basement, a bedroom, or a family room. Avoid placing the test in kitchens,
bathrooms, laundry rooms, or closets. The test should be placed at least 20 inches from the floor and away from drafts, high heat, and exterior walls. Follow the specific instructions provided with your test kit.
How long does a radon test take?
Short-term tests typically run for 48 to 96 hours. Long-term tests, as the name suggests, remain in place for 3 to 12 months.
What do my radon test results mean?
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon levels if your test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. This is known as the “action level.” However, there is no “safe” level of radon, and the EPA also recommends considering mitigation for levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
What should I do if my home has high radon levels?
If your initial short-term test result is 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends conducting a follow-up test to confirm the results. This can be another short-term test or a long-term test. If the follow-up test also shows elevated levels, you should take steps to mitigate the radon in your home.
What is radon mitigation?
Radon mitigation is the process of reducing radon levels in a home. The most common and effective method is a soil suction radon reduction system, also known as a vent pipe and fan system. This system pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside, preventing it from entering the living space.
Can I fix a radon problem myself?
While it is possible to install a radon mitigation system yourself, the EPA recommends hiring a qualified and certified radon mitigation contractor. These professionals have the training and experience to ensure the system is installed correctly and effectively reduces radon levels. You can find a list of certified radon professionals through your state radon program.
How often should I retest my home for radon?
The EPA recommends retesting your home for radon every two years, or after any major renovations that could affect the home’s ventilation. If you have a radon mitigation system, you should also retest every two years to ensure it is still functioning properly.
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