What To Look For In A Radon Reduction System?

Congratulations! You have decided to take the next step and hire a contractor to install a Radon Reduction System. When you hire a certified Radon Specialist as recommended by the EPA, the contractor should consider a few things first. These items include how high your Radon level is, the costs of the installation and the system, how big your home is and what is the foundation type of the home. Let’s start with Installation and Operating Costs, while most styles of Radon reduction systems will cause your home to lose some heat and or air conditioning air, because of this you will see an increase in your utility bills. Most systems that use reduction fans are most effective in the decrease of Radon but cause higher electric bills.

There are a few different methods a Radon Reduction Techniques can use to rid your home of Radon. The two main methods are one that will remove the Radon from the soil before it gets into the house and the second method will get rid of the Radon after it is in the house. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that method that prevents the entry of the Radon into your home. If you have any additional information about the construction of your house could help the contractor out a lot. The contractor will be doing some visual inspections and some diagnostic tests to determine the best way to proceed.

There are basically three main types of foundations used to build homes on, the Basement, Crawl Space and the Slab on Grade. If your home has a Basement or a Slab On Grade Foundation, the Radon will be reduced using on one of four different types of soil suction, the sub slab drain, drain tile suction, sump hole suction or the block wall suction. If your home is a Crawl Space home then the methods will include a form of soil suction called sub membrane suction.

Some of the other Radon Reduction techniques that can be used are sealing off any cracks in the flooring, walls and ceiling. A home or room pressurization system, which uses a fan to blow air into the basement or the lowest living area in the home from the upstairs of your home or outside your home. Once the contractor has completed the work before you make that last payment, do a checklist of the work he did. Make sure that the Radon Reduction System is clearly labeled.

Also, make sure that the exhaust fan is not installed in or below an area where it is livable for your family. The exhaust pipes for soil suction has to be vented above the roof and 10 feet or more above the ground. Now that you have your Radon Reduction System installed it is like any other piece of equipment in your home, it has to be maintained. Make sure that you read all of the warranty information and if you have any questions or concerns contact the contractor for help.

What Are The Symptoms Of Radon?

Radon for those not really familiar with the chemical is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. Radon actually is the cause of 20,000 cancer related deaths every year in the United States. It is very important that you do a Radon test in your home or building ever few months. There are Radon Test Kits available in retail stores such as Home Depot, Target and Wal-Mart. These test are easy to perform and they are sent to a lab to test for results so you will get an accurate readout. There are acceptable levels, anything over a 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends that you hire a Radon Mitigation Company or install a system yourself following state regulations.

As we mentioned Radon has no smell, taste and you can’t see it, so any symptoms that you have you may not attest to Radon Poisoning. That is why it is essential to have your home tested every 6 months. If Radon levels are detected there are some symptoms that you can be aware of that will point to Radon Poisoning. Some of these symptoms may include having a brand new cough that gets worse over time and not any better. If you start to cough up blood is a major indicator of Radon.

Other symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath, long term. These two symptoms can be associated with heart attack and that is why it is also important to test early so your doctor can do the necessary treatment for the correct ailment. If you experience wheezing or hoarseness, it is a sign of Radon and a chronic respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia. If you have of these symptoms, visit your doctor right away and if you haven’t tested your home for Radon it is imperative that you do so now. You may think that you have bronchitis but it may be from an underlying cause.

According to the Indoor Air health Advisor, an estimated 15% of lung cancer patients have had no symptoms when they were diagnosed. Of course Radon can be eliminated from your home with a professional Radon Mitigation System and that will create a healthy household but once you have these symptoms treatment should be done right away. These symptoms that we mentioned are all symptoms of other condition one way or another.

If you suspect that your illness is related to your home, contact your doctor immediately. Radon has been called a national environmental health problem, with 8 million homes across the United States tested with high levels of Radon. At least 1 in 5 homes will have a higher Radon level than the others. Radon can be removed and homes can be Radon free but we have to take action in having our homes and buildings tested so we can avoid getting sick before it happens. Isn’t your health and your family’s health worth the time and money it tales to test your home?

What Are The Symptoms of Radon Poisoning?

Radon Gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless, but it is a potentially dangerous gas. Radon comes from the decay of uranium and radium in the soil underneath your home. Radon escapes the soil and seeps into your home. It can be highly toxic and dangerous for your family if it is not tested and corrected in a fair amount of time. Radon unless it is tested for is extremely hard to detect in someone. Radon can cause lung cancer through inhalation of the air you breathe and stomach cancer is caused by a high level of Radon in the water supply, you should have your water supply checked. Contact your water supplier for more information.

These cancers have certain symptoms that are associated with Radon, they include a new cough that only gets worse and will not go away. Coughing up blood is another symptom as is chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness and chronic pneumonia or bronchitis. Radon does not offer any real early warning signs, if you are exposed to Radon for along period of time you wouldn’t even know it. An alarming fact is that 15% of lung cancer patients had no symptoms at they time they were even diagnosed.

The best prevention to these symptoms is to have your home tested every 6 months. Symptoms of Radon Poisoning come after you are already sick, prevention is the best course of action. You can buy these tests from Home Depot and Lowe’s. The EPA recommends doing the short term test which last 2 to 3 days. You will send the results to a lab included in the kit and within a few weeks you will have your result.

To further avoid these potential deadly symptoms, you can take a look around your home to see what you can do to fortify it. This will include sealing up any cracks in the floors, walls and ceilings. Radon is most exposed in the lowest level of the home; if you have a basement then you may want to start there. Have a handyman come in and take a look at what you can do to prevent Radon from seeping into your home.

Keep in mind that your chances of getting lung cancer from Radon can depend on How much Radon is actually in your home, the amount of time you spend in your home and whether or not you are or ever were a smoker. The chances for lung cancer increase if you are a smoker. It is best to stop smoking (it is better for you anyway) and have Radon Removal Specialist install a Radon Mitigation System. It is never too late to decrease your chance of lung cancer you just have to take an active role in the process.

If you discover that your home has Radon, make an appointment for your doctor and have a physical. Let them know about the Radon and see what suggestions they can offer you to help stay lung cancer free.

Radon Mitigation

The importance of testing for Radon is that the EPA estimated that over 20,000 cases of death due to lung cancer are caused by Radon exposure. Radon is found in both the outside air as well as the indoor air. The Environmental Protection Agency does recommend that homes, buildings, use Radon Mitigation techniques if the Radon Level is 4 pCi/L or picocuries per liter or more. Radon Mitigation is the method that is used to help decrease the amount of Radon in breathing zones located in buildings that are occupied. If you suspect that Radon is present the first thing you need to do is not panic. There are steps that can be done to mitigate the Radon.

There are Radon Kits available at your local Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot Retail Stores. These kits contain a collector that will be hung in the lowest floor of the home or building where people live or work. The collector is placed there for 2 to 7 days to get an accurate reading. Then once the test is complete there will be a list of addresses where the testing kit will be sent for your results. If you are really interested in finding out how Radon has been in your building or home there are kits that can test for 91 days to year back available.

Radon levels do tend to go up and down naturally, so when you perform your first test it may not be accurate, to be safe do the one test and then do a second just to be safe. You can never be too careful with Radon as we mentioned it has been linked to 20,000 cancer related deaths in the United States alone.

Once the tests have come back and it has been shown that a higher level of Radon does exist, there are professional and certified Radon Mitigation Experts that will install a Radon Mitigation System that will work to eradicate the Radon that is already present. There are Do it Yourself Systems but it is best to check with your county or State some places do require professionals be used to handle these situations.

A professional Radon Mitigation Specialist will know to check some areas that can be the cause of an increase in your Radon levels. These checks include the Air-conditioning, they will check for leaks that can be found outside the breathing zone like in an attic. Another check may include an Excessive Exhaust Fan Operation, Oversized or an Over Capacitated Air Conditioners.

Rest assured that Radon can be removed from your home or building structure. These removal procedures will include the installation of air pipes as well as fans that will get eliminate the slab air to the outside called Sub Slab Depressurization as well as Active Soil Depressurization and Soil Suction. Catching these levels early is a step in the right direction. Contact your local professional today; they will help you eliminate the Radon in your building with fail-safe systems. It is best to safe than sorry. Call today isn’t the your health and the health of your family worth it?

Is There Radon in Water?

Radon is often defined as a gas that no color, no feel and no smell. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground. Exposure to Radon comes in two forms, the first is from the air in your home and the second is in the drinking water. Most Radon found indoors comes from the soil from underneath your home when the uranium breaks down it seeps into the home. When Radon is detected in water it gets there as the gas breaks down and dissolves where it does gather in the water from underground called ground water that comes from wells.

As the Radon infested water is used for bathing, washing clothes, washing dishes and cooking, the water goes into the air where it become inhaled, a portion of Radon still remains in the water itself. You don’t have to worry about Radon in all forms of water, it is safe in rivers, lakes and even reservoirs, and this is called surface water. As we described Radon gets into the air as water evaporates into the air, which we inhale. This is when radon becomes dangerous, the radon breaks down into particles and travels to the lungs.

The percentage of Radon in the air from drinking water is small, only about 2%. Now the water that stays in the water, has a higher risk. People have a better chance of developing cancer in your internal organs such as stomach cancer. The risk of getting lung cancer from the radon in the drinking water is less. According to the National Academy of Science, the Environmental Protection Agency does estimate that Radon found in the drinking water causes roughly 168 deaths every year.

89% comes from the Radon in the air from water and 11% were diagnosed with stomach cancer by people who drank water with Radon. Using a water filter can help reduce those risks. Currently, there are no federal enforced standards for drinking water containing Radon. The EPA has suggested that Radon be regulated in the drinking water by community water suppliers. Though the EPA does not have any regulation authority over well water.

To test for Radon in the water your home gets from public water systems, you will want to find out where the water system does get the water from such as a reservoir, lake or river or though an underground source. If by chance the water comes from an underground source call your water system representative and find out when the last time Radon was checked and asked for the result.

If you have a private well, the EPA does recommend that you test your own drinking water. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791 and they will give you phone numbers of state labs that are certified in testing drinking water. Having your water tested, you may incur a cost but it is well worth your health and the health of your family to find out what you are potentially putting into your body.

How is Radon Testing Done?

Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, no feel and you cannot see it and this makes it more dangerous to us. Testing is the most effective way we can test for Radon in our homes, schools and buildings. The testing is very affordable and something that you can do yourself. You can buy a Radon testing kit at your local Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target store locations. Once you have the test, follow the instructions to the T. There are two ways of testing; you can test for short term and long term exposure.

Short term testing which usually last 2 to 3 days, does suggest that you must have your windows closed as well as outside doors as much as possible since Radon comes from outside air or the decay of the soil which produces radioactive particles of Radon. It is also recommended that the windows and doors stay closes for 12 hours before the test. You can still use your heat and cooling systems that do re-circulate the air. It is not recommended that operate any type of fans or machines that will bring air in from the outside. If you have a Radon Reduction system or small exhaust fans that only run a few short periods of time during the day then you can use those.

The test is not recommended to be performed when a storm or high winds are present. The test should be done at the lowest lived in level of the home. If you have a basement but it is rarely used then the first floor may be the best place to get the most accurate reading. Place the testing kit in rooms like a bedroom, living room but try to avoid the bathroom or kitchen. Keep the test away from drafts, high heat and high humidity. Once the test is over, place the kit into the re-sealable bag and send it to the lab that the kit specifies for your test results. It should only take a couple of weeks to get the results.

If you have decided to go with long term testing then the test must stay in your home for more than 90 days. By using a long term kit, the Alpha Track and the Electrct Detectors can indicate your home year round Radon level. Then follow the same procedure about placing the test and sending it out to the lab for results.

Now, the EPA does recommend that you perform the short test first. If your test result comes back with a 4 pCi/L or higher then take a second test to confirm results. Then you can follow up with a long term test if you wish. What happens next is that if your results are 4 pCi/L then you should make a few calls and get some estimates with a certified Radon removal company. If you are planning on selling your home, it is recommended that you fix the Radon problem before you sell.

What is Radon Gas?

Radon Gas is a potential harmful gas that is colorless and odorless. We cannot see it, feel it or smell it, it is a potential danger to our health but we do breath Radon in through the outside air. There are acceptable levels of Radon; anything over 4 pCi/L is cause for concern.
Radon can cause thousands and thousands of death every year. Smoking is the number one cause for cancer; if you smoke you have an increased risk of getting lung cancer.

Radon’s radioactivity comes from the natural decay of chemicals, radium and uranium that can be found in the soil underneath your home. Every home is different and every soil content of Radon is different as well. Radon does escape and seep into the home, how much depends on the weather, the soil porosity (how much water the soil can hold), soil moisture and the suction that design of the house.

As your house warms up, as the heat in your home rises, it creates a sort of suction from the lowest level of your home, this helps pull in the Radon in from the soil. Radon can also get through into your home by cracks in solid flooring, any gaps in suspended flooring, any cracks in the walls and it can even get in through the water supply. There are steps that you can take to decrease the levels of Radon, you can fix any leaks in the floors, and ceilings and walls and you can have your water tested or invest in one of the water purifiers such as Britta or Pur.

Radon is not a common thing you think about testing your home for. It may though save your life. You can do the testing yourself by purchasing a Radon Kit at your local Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target Stores. Once the testing is done you will send the test out to a certified lab to get the most accurate readings. Once your results come back you can take the necessary steps to eliminate any Radon in your home.

Call a qualified Radon Mitigation Company, they will come assess your home and plan a course of action that will help save the life of your family. It is important to do something about your Radon problem, it will not go away and what makes it so scary is that you cannot see it or smell it. To rather be safe than sorry, get a couple of tests, since Radon levels tend to go up and down naturally doing a second test would be a good idea.

Do not panic, there are systems available to help eliminate Radon from your home. In the meantime as you are waiting for results do some preventative maintenance, repair cracked floors and walls. If you are a smoker do not smoke in the house or better yet consider quitting. Radon is a national health concern according to the EPA and isn’t your family’s health worth the test and the solution?

What Are The Effects of Radon?

Radon is known as the second leading cause of cancer, right behind smoking. It has also been called a national health concern by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. Of course Radon is hard to detect without testing specifically for it, since it has no smell, no feel and you cannot see it. Performing home testing is the best way to catch Radon early. You can find these kits in Home Depot and Lowe’s. It is an inexpensive way to test for a potential harmful cancer causing chemical in your home.

The effects of Radon are very serious and should be taken very seriously. In addition to lung cancer, Radon can also be associated with respiratory conditions such as emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, silicosis and respiratory lesions. As Radon Gas breaks down into small radioactive particles, they can become easily trapped in your lungs, this happens every time you take a breath.

The radioactive particles will continue to breakdown and release small energy bursts, this will cause the damage to your lungs and overtime lead to cancer. It may take years so treatment is very important and the quicker you test for Radon the quicker you can go to the doctor and inform him of your findings. A study has shown that children may have a greater cancer risk than adults for certain types of cancer from radon.

The main exposure to Radon comes from simply breathing. The health risk doesn’t come from the radon directly but from the radioactivity it produces from the decay in the Radon. Since radon cannot be detected without proper testing, often it is found after a diagnosis of lung cancer is determined. That is why it is imperative that you do the testing in your home whether you are renting or you own. Radon is heavier than air, so the higher concentrations will be in the lowest levels of the home such as the basement. If you live in a basement apartment it is highly recommended that you test for Radon.

Some symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, a new cough that does not get better, chest pain and coughing up blood just to name a few. Radon is not just found in domestic homes, it can be found in office buildings, apartment buildings and even schools. The risk of exposure to you and your family is the place where you spend most of your time.

Testing is the only sure fire way you will know whether you have been exposed. The testing method is inexpensive and easy to do, the results are sent to labs where it can determine a better accuracy than a home reading. Since Radon fluctuates naturally you may want to do the test twice to confirm the results. For more information, you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency. Your family’s health is the most important thing; why not spend the time and the expensive to ensure that they are living in a healthy environment.

Radon Mitigation Costs

Once you have discovered that your home has high levels of Radon, it is now the time to invest in a Radon Mitigation System. The Environmental Protection Agency does recommend that you hire a qualified and certified Radon Mitigation Contractor to help you choose which reduction method will work best for your home. The EPA recommends a qualified contractor since they must deal with high radioactive levels of Radon and with that you will need technical knowledge and a skilled professional.

By choosing to go ahead and try the repair yourself could actually raise the level of Radon without the proper equipment. You will most likely incur a higher cost than that of a qualified professional. Like having any other home repair done, it would be a good idea to have several estimates from several companies. The reason for this is not just who has the best prince but what methods will they use to get the job done.

Before hiring a contractor make sure that they have proof of state certification or certification credentials. You will want to see proof of license and insurance as well. You will also want a guarantee in the reduction of the 4 pCi/L Radon levels and for how long will the lower levels last. Most types of Radon Reduction Systems will end up causing some heat as well as air-conditioned air when the system is running. This may cause a spike in your utility bills, with this it may be a good time to look around your home and see how you can compensate for the extra costs.

There are several different ways where contractors will use to reduce the radon levels in your home. According to the EPA, the average house to repair will cost about $ 1200.00 for the average house but depending on which methods are used and the characteristics of the house the price range could be from $ 800 to $ 2500.00. There are alternatives such as using RadonSeal, this process will save you several hundred dollars, and the average cost of RadonSeal is $ 400 to $ 600. RadonSeal is a pray on application that is quick and fairly easy for the homeowner.

Contractors may use the Mechanical Radon Mitigation Systems; this will include covering up any open cracks that are found in ground level walls and flooring. Drain tiles can be installed surrounding the home’s foundation and it can be vented away from the house itself. This process is designed to help pull the Radon from the soil around the house and vent it away. Then there is the difficult to do Sub Slab Suction, this system will involves installing pipes underneath the house by drilling holes in the concrete slab, then a fan is used to vent the pipes from the house.

Remember do not panic if your Radon levels are high, you want to hire a contractor that knows what they are doing, has the right certification and has the best price. Follow the guidelines we provided and we can actually help you save some money in the end.

Tips on Hiring The Best Radon Contractor

Now that you have discovered your levels of Radon are a bit high, you are ready to hire a contractor to help install a Radon Mitigation System.  Like any other contractor you have to do some research in order to find the best company for the job. You want to make sure that the job is being done for a great cost and by qualified technicians. Hiring a Radon Certified technician is no different than hiring a General Contractor for other home improvements.

The first thing you need to do is create a list of the contractors you are going to call. This will help you stay organized through the hiring process, call as many as you like but keep in mind that you don’t want high levels of Radon in your home any longer than you have to. Put together your list and start scheduling the contractors to come and provide you with an estimate.

When your Radon Contractor comes to your home ask them for some credentials and if possible some other customer recommendations. You will want to see that they have done this type of work before. Once you have their credentials, check them out. See if their license is good and they have valid insurance. You can check online or call the Better Business Bureau for information.

Once the contractor is done giving you an itemized estimate, always insist on an itemized estimate this way if you decide to hire them you can compare the estimate with the contract. If you know any other friends who have ever used Radon Contractors before or just General Contractors before, what their experience was like. Did they show up? Were they professional? Was the work completed on time?

Once you have done your background and reputation checks on your contractors compare the estimates and the work that they will do. A good contractor will basically have most of the itemized items the same. You don’t want to choose a Contractor who pads his estimate. Check all of the prices, they should all be in the same price range with each other, if a contractor has a price significantly higher than the others then you know he is not the one to hire.

Choose your contractor based on what type of work they will be doing, the time frame they can do it in and the price. Do not hand over any money until there is a signed contract. Also, make sure in your contract you get a guarantee that Radon levels will be at their lowest and also try to get a completion date.  Do not pay all upfront either, it is recommended that you pay 30% of the contract upfront. Always get a receipt every time you make a payment. Remember this is your family’s health you are protecting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make suggestions, a truly professional contractor will work with you every step of the way.

← Previous Entries