What is Radon?Radon is a naturally occurring, highly radioactive, invisible gas that has neither an odor or taste. Radon is produced from the natural decay of differing kinds of rocks and soils. Radon is most commonly found in underground working areas such as mines or caves where the air has very little room to ventilate. When outdoors, Radon dissipates fairly quickly, but inside of a home, it can linger for longer periods of time and become a health hazard if left unattended. Radon tends to enter residential homes through the holes in the floorboards, rise through a potentially faulty foundation in your garage, get trapped in basements, and can even affect school or office buildings as well. According to a study done by the Surgeon General’s Office, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is posed as a serious health concern.
Radon TestingThe state of Tennessee has some of the highest Radon testing results in the country. With over 50% of homes in Nashville and Knoxville having elevated levels of Radon, it is important to consider having your home tested for hazardous contamination. Radon 1’s testing and abatement is a quick and unobtrusive process that can be completed within a short period of time!
Why Should You Test for Radon?Because Radon is an unnoticeable gas that poses a high health risk, it is important to know whether your home has elevated levels of Radon or not. Many homes in the US, Tennessee especially, have elevated Radon levels without realizing it. However, Radon poisoning can have serious effects on your health. Radon related lung cancer kills over 21,000 people every year in the United States. The good news is that Radon testing and abatement is a rather simple process! Testing your home for Radon is very time efficient and affordable. There are typically two types of Radon testing: short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the most common testing done for residential homes. Within a 48 hour – 72 hour period of time, you could have your results back and begin dealing with the problem if an issue is found.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two short-term testing methods used when measuring Radon levels within your home. One way of short-term testing is through a continuous radon monitor (or a CRM). CRM devices are the preferred method because they can give an hour by hour reading on the Radon levels within your home or business. They work by providing the testing company an accurate pCi/L reading. Results with a CRM are usually available within 48 – 72 hours. The second short-term testing method is with activated charcoal canisters. The activated charcoal canisters act as a Radon absorbing device. The canister will sit either in your basement, crawl space, or other area where Radon typically likes to rest. Due to the charcoal needing adequate time to absorb Radon gas, testing results for activated charcoal canisters can take anywhere between 10 – 14 days before they are ready.
Radon AbatementAfter your home has been tested and if the Radon levels read over a certain pCi/L level, the Radon mitigation company you have chosen will offer several options for your Radon abatement needs. The process of Radon abatement or mitigation is focused on lowering the elevated levels of Radon to a safe and inhabitable level.
How to Read Your ResultsRadon is a radioactive gas and is measured by pCi/L (Picocuries per liter) a unit used in measuring radioactive concentrations. A safe Radon concentration has been determined to be around 2.6 pCi/L for your home, but many people have concentrations above the recommended safe level. If your home is found to have a Radon concentration of 4.0pCi/L or above, an immediate abatement procedure will be highly recommended.
How is Radon Abated?If your home has been found to have a high Radon concentration, a member of the company you have hired will guide you through the abatement process and help determine which abatement device and service will be needed for your home. The pricing and devices will vary depending on your home and your need, but the process is very affordable.
Radon Abatement ProcessWhile each process will be a little different depending on the type of foundation your home has, the most common abatement device will be housed on the side of your home. The most common devices include a fan and piping to pull the toxic gas from under your house and release it out into the air to dissipate.
Foundational AbatementIf your home has a slab foundation or a basement, Radon abatement technicians will drill a hole in the foundation and insert a series of pipes to create a suction point. The focus is to create more ventilation for your home to suck out the Radon underneath or in your home. Once Radon is released out into the air, it quickly and naturally reduces in toxicity. If you have a crawl space underneath your home, Radon abatement technicians will lay down a vapor barrier over the ground to create a suction point that will be pipe fed out from under your home. If a series of pipes are needed, they will all be connected to a central pipe that will connect to the fan system installed on the side of your house. These devices are designed to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home without being overly noticeable or loud. Once the system is installed, a CRM device will also be installed and the Radon mitigation company will track your Radon levels over the next 48 hours to track the concentration and ensure the levels are reducing.
Want More Information?If you have any concerns or any questions, consider visiting our website for more information: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/what-is-radon-abatement/
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About UsRadon mitigation and radon testing for residential homes and commercial businesses with three service area locations in Nashville, Knoxville, and the Chattanooga area. The highest certifications in TN and the most professional radon company in Tennessee. ArchivesCategories |