National Radon Action Month
January is National Radon Action Month! Below is a brief primer how to detect & protect your home from radon exposure.
What is Radon?
The Environmental Protection Agency defines radon as a radioactive gas that forms naturally when certain radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. Radon comes naturally from the earth and it can settle in the ground underneath our homes. Homeowners can be unknowingly exposed to this gas which can seep in through cracks and gaps in the foundations of our homes.
Radon gas can be dangerous – it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Due to the potential health risks of radon exposure, it is prudent to test your residence and to take mitigation steps, when necessary, to keep your home and family healthy.
Homeowners interested in testing their home for radon can purchase inexpensive DIY test kits and devices. Typically, the collection devices are sent to a qualified laboratory to accurately measure for the presence of radon.
There are two types of “Do-it-yourself” tests:
- Passive Devices
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- Charcoal Canisters
- Alpha Track Detectors
- Electret Ion Detectors
- Active Devices
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- Continuous Radon Monitors
- Continuous Working Level Monitors
As part of HomeKeep’s preventative home maintenance service plans, we inspect and monitor your home’s air health safety. Semi-annual visits from your Maintenance Specialist will include inspection, verification and documentation of any changes in measurement that could affect your home’s air health. Whether you reside in a new construction home or an older home, radon may be present. If detected, mitigation steps should be taken seriously.
One of the most reliable methods of safely reducing and mitigating radon levels involves depressurization and suction to force the gas through the floor and into the ground outside of your home. You will commonly see the pipework interconnected to your home’s sump pump crock area. In other cases, it may be independent from the sump, but still in the basement area of your home. If your home isn’t equipped with this type of system, it can be added for about the same cost as other common home repairs. HomeKeep offers concierge services that can put you in touch with reputable service providers that specialize in the installation of such systems. A properly functioning system will mitigate 99% of radon gasses, significantly reducing any associated health risks.
Whether you are a full-service HomeKeep client, or a digital user, let us help guide you to a healthier and safer home! Please visit https://homekeep.com/ to learn more about our services.
