How to test your home for Radon
Radon
If you’re a homeowner, you know that there are always things to keep an eye on in order to maintain your home’s value and keep it safe for your family. One potential hazard that many homeowners don’t think about is radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be found in many areas from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can potentially be harmful to your health if it’s not properly monitored and controlled. That’s why it’s important to know how to test your home for radon gas.
Keep reading to learn more about radon testing, including how to do it yourself or hire a professional tester. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now to protect your family from this invisible threat.
Why test for radon in your home
Testing for radon in your home is important because it is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that can cause health risks such as lung cancer. Exposure to high radon levels over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer deaths. The most reliable and accurate way to test for radon gas is to use a professional tester. But if you prefer to do it yourself, there are DIY kits available.
For ongoing monitoring, a continuous monitoring device might be the best option as these devices will give long term readings of radon levels. Getting your home tested is worth considering you want to know how much radon is being released from any sources in your home and take necessary steps to reduce the risk of exposure.
The dangers of radon exposure
Radon gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, yet it can be highly dangerous for long-term exposure. Radon has been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. To make sure your home is safe from its dangers, you should check for it regularly. You can do this by purchasing a DIY radon test kit or investing in a continuous monitoring device. If these tests come back with high radon levels. Then you should consider getting professional help from a certified radon tester. They can help you identify the source of the gas and recommend corrective measures to take. Be sure to keep your family safe from radon’s dangers.
Different ways to test for radon in your home
Testing for radon levels in your home is possible and necessary to determine if it is present in your environment. The two basic ways to measure radon levels are with a DIY radon test kit or a continuous monitoring device (radon detector). Both provide accurate readings that can inform you of the actual radon level present. If you don’t feel comfortable conducting the tests yourself. There are also certified professionals who can come and do the testing for you. Taking these steps to test for radon in your home is an important part of keeping it safe and healthy. So make sure to explore all of your options before making a decision on which one works best for you.
How to interpret the radon test results
After conducting a radon test in your home, it is important to interpret the results in order to accurately assess the radon levels. Generally, an EPA action level of 4pCi/L or higher requires some sort of radon reduction system. A DIY kit will provide you with an instant result but if you need greater accuracy. Such as when buying or selling a property, then consider investing in a continuous monitoring device or hiring a professional Radon tester. It is also important to note that any reduction system should regularly be tested for effectiveness. By interpreting the results correctly, you can take the necessary action to protect your family from elevated levels of radon.
The current Canadian guideline for radon from Health Canada for indoor air for dwellings is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m3). Health Canada also produces a radon action guide on how to test and reduce radon levels.
What to do if you have high levels of radon in your home
If the results of your radon test in your home come back showing high levels. Then you must take immediate action to reduce the levels of radon in your home. It’s important to note that DIY radon test kits and even continuous monitoring devices can provide an indication of the levels. But it’s highly recommended to hire a professional radon tester for an accurate reading and consultation on how to reduce the risk.
Depending upon the results, they may give you advice about sealing any potential entry points for radon like your basement floor. Or suggest installing a radon mitigation system with a fan that will help push out the gas from underneath your residence. It is important that the radon mitigation system operates properly to deal with your radon problem.
Tips for reducing high levels of radon in your home
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can creep into homes from the rocks and soil on which they are built. Taking the necessary steps to test for and reduce its presence in your home is essential for protecting you and your family’s health. The best way to do this is by utilizing an at-home radon testing kit, a continuous monitoring device, or through hiring a professional radon tester. This can help notify you if there are elevated levels of radon present within your house. Once detected, proper precautions must be taken to reduce its concentration. Such as improving ventilation around the foundation and sealing cracks in walls and floors. By staying vigilant of this hazardous gas through periodic testing procedures. You can rest easy knowing that your home environment is as free as possible of any potentially harmful levels of radon such as lung cancer.
Government of Canada Radon Site
Conclusion
While it is impossible to completely eliminate radon from your home. There are steps you can take to dramatically reduce the radon levels of this dangerous gas. Test your home for radon regularly. Take action on how much radon is present. You can protect yourself and your family from the health risks associated with radon exposure such as developing lung cancer.
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Radon Monitor with Humidity & Temperature Detector, Mobile APP, WiFi, Alerts & Notifications
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