Radon Levels in Your Home Can Affect Your Health
Radon gas is a serious risk to your health and it could be putting your family in danger. It’s a naturally occurring gas that seeps up through the ground into your home and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Here are a few things you should know about radon levels in your home.
What is Radon Gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms deep in the earth when naturally-occurring radioactive materials decompose. Radon becomes dangerous when it builds up in the home and reaches high levels. It can happen in any home and it’s undetectable by your senses. This radioactive gas seeps into your home and mixes with the air you breathe, leaving a deposit of radioactive particles in your lung tissue.
Do-It-Yourself Testing Kits are Unreliable for Checking Radon Levels
Radon detection tests work best when conducted by a professional. A professional inspector will follow correct procedures and techniques to ensure that testing is done correctly, and will use superior equipment than what you’ll find in a DIY test kit. You’ll get an accurate reading of the radon levels when you hire a professional.
Professional Radon Test Detects Accurate Levels
There are ways that some homeowners can reduce their exposure to radon gas. Many houses have vapor-sealed crawlspaces. You can have insulation installed in your walls that helps stop radon levels from rising in your home. Radon testing will determine the levels in your home and a radon mitigation professional will help you decide what steps to take for the health and safety of your family.
Knowing When You Need to Install a Mitigation System
If your radon test shows unhealthy levels of radon in your home, you should install a mitigation system. Depending on the type of home, you may have options for radon mitigation. A system will ventilate the radon gas from your home to outdoors where it dissipates harmlessly into the environment. When installed correctly, radon mitigation systems effectively reduce the amount of radon gas in your home. A professional will help you determine the best solution for your property.
JBS Home Inspections offers radon testing in the Greater Boston area. Contact us to request an appointment.