3 Things You Need To Know About Radon Testing As A Homeowner
Posted on: 30 December 2019
When it comes to taking care of your home, you need to make sure you get your home tested for radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that you can't just smell, but that can do a lot of harm to your health. Radon occurs in soils and is released into the air.
Radon Moves from the Soil to Your Home
The first thing you need to do is understand how radon works. Radon is found in the soil, and from there it can seep from the soil up into the air above it. Radon can even seep through concrete and go through the walls and floors in your home. Radon moves without you being aware that it is moving, which is why it is important to get your home tested for radon gas.
The Testing Process is Multi-Layered
Second, you need to understand the testing process. The testing process is multi-layered when it comes to testing for radon. There are three different types of testing that your home needs to undergo if there is any known radon in the area.
Short-term tests are the first type of tests that you can run. With short-term tests, you can place a testing material such as electret ion methodology or an activated charcoal-based testing kit. You place these kits out in the open for a couple of days, and then mail the kits to a lab for testing. You can pick up these tests at hardware stores and retail stores.
Long-term tests are placed in your home for anywhere from three months to one year. Long-term tests track the alpha particles in your home. By testing over a long period of time, various factors that can impact the test can be more accurately measured and tracked to determine the real presence of radon in your home. Long-term tests can account for variables such as wind, moisture, and air pressure.
Finally, if any radon is found in your home, you are going to want to undergo continuous radon tests. This is done by using electric monitoring, which will allow you to see the daily radon levels in your home and allow you to determine if more action is necessary.
Protecting Your Home
Finally, you need to make sure that you protect your home if radon is found inside. You need to seal up all the openings in your home, and you need to make sure you have an airtight cover on your sump pump. You need to cover the soil in your crawlspace with special plastic sheeting and potentially install a radon mitigation system.
If there is radon gas in the area, you are going to want to test your home for the presence of radon gas. Radon gas is dangerous for your health, which is why you need to be vigilant with radon testing and protecting your home if any gas is found.
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