Radon testing should be a compulsory part of home inspection whether you consider selling or buying a new property. Even if you are not planning any of that, radon test Aurora is crucial since it’s the only way to ensure the quality of air and safety of your household.
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that’s emitted as a byproduct when uranium decays. This process can take time and has critical health issues. Similarly, it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. As a result, there is no other way of knowing if it has infested your home unless you seek a professional to test its presence.
The gas can seep through most building materials, including concrete, wood, and sheetrock. As a result, no home is safe from its attack even if you choose to close all the openings.
What are the Health Risks of Radon Gas?
The air contains small amounts of radon gas. In that limited quantity, the gas isn’t so harmful. However, if it builds up in your home, it can be perilous. That’s why it’s essential to test your home and ensure your safety and those in your household.
Being a radioactive gas means extreme exposure can be so dangerous to your health. Research conducted by scientists revealed that radon causes between 1500 and 2200 lung cancer deaths in the USA yearly. While we have always believed that smokers are at more risk of lung cancer, radon is the next serious killer to nonsmokers.
Due to its qualities, it isn’t easy to detect its presence, and its signs can take years to manifest. As a result, you may need to conduct a radon test to ensure your home is safe. Do not wait for health issues to arise, as that may be too late.
When Should you Conduct Radon Tests to your Home?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that every homeowner should test radon’s presence in their homes. The gas has been detected across all 50 states and in various types of houses. Thus, no one can say that they are safe from harmful gas, and testing is the only way to be sure.
According to EPA, you should test your home when you are planning to sell. Similarly, it would help if you also insisted on radon testing as part of a home inspection before committing to buying a house. If your home has stayed for long, or you’ve never conducted testing ever, you need to consider doing it now.
Are There Any Risk Factors?
Every home across all 50 states is at risk of radon infestation. However, some factors may upsurge the chances of gas penetration. Here are a few.
• Location– Regions like the Appalachian Mountains and Upper Midwest are at higher risk than the Southeast. You may consider checking EPA’s map and see if you are at higher risk areas.
• Damages in the foundation- Cracks in foundation slabs and walls increase the gas’s chances of penetrating the house.
• Type of Foundation- Old homes having dirt floors in the basement increase radon’s speed rising from the soil. Also, exposed crawl spaces permit the gas to climb into your living area.
While the above factors may increase the chances of radon penetrating your home, no one is safe. As a result, it’s indispensable to get a professional to help you test the levels of this harmful gas in your house.