All You Need to Know About Radon Gas

There are a lot of things homeowners and other need to worry about in today’s world. One problem that is found all over the world is exposure to radon gas. Radon is found naturally in the crust of the earth. It is formed when uranium breaks down. It can be found in the soil, in water and in rocks. It is found all over the planet. This is one reason that residential radon testing companies can also be found all over. There are many of these residential radon testing services all over the United States.

Homeowners should care about radon gas because while is is odorless, colorless and has no taste, it can have a very bad impact on human health. It is carcinogenic and has been found by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and office of the Surgeon General to the second leading cause of lung cancer, just after smoking tobacco products. They estimate that more than 21,000 people across the country die every year from lung cancer they developed from prolonged exposure to radon gas.

The good news is that the radon testing companies can check homes and see if they have elevated levels of the gas. The bad news is that many homes around the nation do have levels that are deemed to be actionable by the EPA. When homes in seven states and on three reservations for Native Americans were tested, as many as one in three was found to have levels of the gas that were too high.

Radon gas finds its way into home through the foundation of the house. If there are cracks in it, it can seep through. Many homes across the U.S. have sump pumps to deal with any flooding they may experience. Not all have the recommended covers on them to keep the radon from making it into the home through that opening. Radon gas can also get in through drains, water pipes and any other openings in the foundation.

Radon testing companies can make it easy to check your home for the substance. If you want to have your home tested, you should contact your local health department to find out how to get a kit or for local radon testing companies that are considered to be reputable. The EPA also keeps lists of these companies. If you are buying or selling a home, the house should be tested for the substance. If you are not sure if your home has been tested, it is worth it to make some calls and have it tested. This is not a terribly expensive thing to have done and will protect you and your family.

The good news about radon gas is that it is not all that hard to get rid of. You should have two companies help you with your radon has issue. You want to have a separate company handle your radon mitigation and abatement service. Radon testing companies can do radon mitigation but you need to have the home tested again after the process has been completed and it is easy for a company overestimate how good of a job it did getting the radon gas out of your home.

There are some things that homeowners can to do keep the level of radon gas low. These steps are important whether you have discovered the home has a high level or if it does not. Keeping an eye on your foundation can be a great way to keep radon gas from slipping in. If you see any cracks, you should deal with them as soon as you can. Radon gas is not the only reason to do this. Small cracks have a ways of becoming large cracks, which can be very damaging to your home. You should also make sure any pipes in and out of the lowest parts of your home are sealed properly. If you have a sump pump, or are having one installed, work with the sump pump installation contractor to put a cap on it to keep the radon from using that to gain entry into your home.

Radon is scary and dangerous, the good news is there are ways to test for it and get it out of your home.

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