Radon gases present a significant threat to occupants of a home or a commercial building. Radon is something many Colorado home buyers should be aware of. It is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas. Radon originates from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils, rock, and water. Fortunately, like all our testing and inspection services, AmPro Inspections provides the most accurate radon testing in the industry.
Because radon is odorless and invisible, the only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test. Our AmPro Inspections team can help. Our test will find out with definitive evidence if the home you are purchasing is safe from Radon gas or if it is something you should be concerned about.
Should You Get a Radon Test?
Radon seeps through the soil, and moves into the air and into homes through cracks and small openings in foundations. Homes trap radon in living spaces, where it may build up to dangerous levels.
Over half of all the homes tested between 2011-2015 had high levels of radon. Radon levels vary greatly from home to home. El Paso County and the state of Colorado are in “Zone 1” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means the state and county have a potential for high radon levels.
AmPro Inspections encourages people to check the radon levels in their homes. The test is simple and non invasive to the home or your lifestyle. Performing the test could be a very important decision should the gas be found. If the test is inconclusive you can rest assured your home is safe.
However, a home that tests safe for Radon gas should still tested again in the future. The nature of Radon gas is only one reason behind why The American Lung Association recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Additionally, The U.S. Surgeon General warns that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the nation. Regular tests are definitely recommended even if you have a Radon mitigation system. Also consider utilizing our asbestos inspection services for additional protection.
Schedule Radon Testing
AmPro Inspections provides Radon testing for customers in the Colorado Springs, Denver, and Pueblo areas. Call to schedule a Radon inspection today and get a free quote for radon mitigation if the levels are too high:
Radon is a harmful gas that can enter your home or building through many access points. It is a radioactive gas that can lead to health issues and even cancer. Radon testing is important to make sure the air quality in your home is safe to breathe.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. These facts make it a major concern because excess radon or a radon leak isn’t easily noticeable like it would be if you left the gas on your oven turned on. Radon is formed from the natural, ongoing decay or radium and uranium, components of most rocks and common soils. However, radon becomes dangerous when it moves from the ground and makes its way into buildings or homes. It does this by entering through floors, walls, or other structures that make direct contact with the ground and then connect with each other.
Radon causes radiation in the home, which can lead to cancer in humans. Because humans spend so much time indoors, radon is especially harmful due to the volume of exposure you can receive on a daily basis.
Where Is Radon Found?
Any building or home can have dangerous levels of radon that have built up over time. This includes both new and older homes, homes with or without basements, and any commonly-frequented buildings such as offices and schools. This is what makes radon so dangerous. Some of the ways radon can be found entering buildings and homes include:
- Water supply
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Cavities or improperly sealed openings inside walls
- Cracks in the walls or floors
- Gaps around pipes
- Construction joints
- Natural gas that has been previously exposed to radon entering through fireplaces, furnaces, stoves, water heaters, etc.
- Well water
- Building materials like brick, concrete, or rock
How Does It Affect a Home?
Radon can begin to build up in buildings and homes over time and can create a very serious health risk for you and those in your home. Radon is a carcinogen, meaning it is a substance that is able to cause cancer in living tissue. In fact, even though there are a wide variety of exposure sources to harmful radiation, radon is the largest and most common.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in patients that do not smoke. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes about 21,000 deaths in the U.S. every year from lunch cancer that developed as a direct result of exposure.
What Is Radon Testing?
Radon testing is a very simple procedure done by a trained professional that is very hands-off for you and your family. The short-term test takes just 48 hours. A radon detector or multiple detectors will be set up in your home and will take hourly air quality readings to look for radon. At the end of the 48 hours the inspector will provide a report that averages the hourly reading. This will show you if there is any elevated radon levels or issues in certain areas of your home. All you really need to do to ensure the test is successful is to make sure the detector(s) are not moved or disturbed during the 48-hour period.
When Is Radon Testing Needed?
Radon testing is needed when you are purchasing a new home, have concerns about the air quality in your current home, or even if you simply know your home has gone more than 2 years without radon testing. Since radon gas has no smell, or taste, and you can’t see it, professional testing is highly recommended as part of your overall home safety plan. The Surgeon General’s official recommendation is to have your home’s radon levels tested every 2 years.
Although radon begins in the soil from uranium and radium decay, it becomes dangerous when it moves into buildings or your home. After it becomes present, radon continues to accumulate over time, making the air quality a threat if it goes untested.
In conclusion, all homes have a certain level of radon gas inside, but without professional testing, there is no way to tell if the levels of radon gas is dangerous to your family. The best way to keep your home and your family safe from radon is to be proactive about testing.
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Our team of radon inspectors are ready to help. Schedule today: