There is a lot of excitement that comes with buying a new house. Still, homebuyers need to verify that the home that they are buying is safe to live in. Radon gas is dangerous and can cause health problems for your family. It is not easy to detect radon since it is odorless and colorless. This makes it hard for you to tell when there are high radon levels in your house. As the second-largest cause of lung cancer in the USA after cigarette smoking, you need to know these facts about radon in the home.
How Does Radon Enter My Home?
Radon gas is a byproduct when uranium decays underground. If the soil that your home stands on contains uranium deposits, the higher the chances of radon gas in your living spaces.
Radon in your home enters through cracked walls, floors, and foundations, and gaps around utility openings. Even though rare, your water supply could be the reason behind radon in the home. It is impossible to notice radon seeping through these openings because the gas is undetectable without a test.
Testing for Radon in the Home
Due to the odorless and colorless nature of radon, the only way to tell your home’s radon levels is through testing. While you can test for radon yourself using a kit, hiring a professional radon tester is better. Professional testing will return the most accurate and conclusive results. Test the water for radon levels if you have a well at home. If the radon levels are high, take the necessary steps to reduce the levels.
Reducing Radon in the Home
You will need to carry out radon remediation if the radon levels at your home are above four pCi/L. Remediation helps prevent radon from seeping through the house while removing the trapped radon from inside. There are different ways to reduce radon levels in your home, depending on the house’s style and radon levels. To prevent radon from coming in, seal all the gaps and holes it may enter through. A collection pipe installed below the basement’s foundation is also an excellent way to keep levels low. Installing ventilation fans is also vital in moving radon out of the home.
What Are the Dangers Associated with Radon?
Radon mixes with the air you and your family breathe, making it unhealthy. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels increases your chances of contracting lung cancer. Those who smoke cigarettes are at even higher risks of developing lung cancer when exposed to radon. If you think you have been exposed to high radon levels, schedule a health check-up with your doctor to check for signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
Arrow Home Inspections provides inspection services and radon testing to customers in the Charlotte Metro Area. Contact us to request an appointment.