You may not know it, but there may be a killer hiding in your home.
It’s true! It is estimated that over 15,000 Americans die each year from this silent stalker. It may be hiding in your basement, crawl space, or in the walls. What’s worse, this killer cannot be seen by the naked eye, smelled, or touched.
The killer is radon, and thankfully there are some simple steps to keep you and your family safe!
What Is Radon?
Radon is a poisonous gas that is nine times heavier than air. This means that when radon gas is present in a home, it tends to linger lower in the home instead of dissipating through open windows or drafty attics. When a person is exposed to radon over time, they can develop lung cancer. In fact, radon is considered the second-leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon is both odorless and colorless, which makes it very difficult to detect.
Why Should You Test For Radon?
It is estimated that one in fifteen American homes may be exposing its residents to radon. Because of the threat of cancer to any inhabit in an infected home, it is crucial to have testing done on a regular basis.
How To Test For Radon?
The good news is that testing for radon is quite simple: use an inexpensive do-it-yourself kit. Simply follow the direction on your kit of choice, and most commercially available kits will provide reliable results. Generally, you will be asked to test in the main living area. In addition, there are separate kits available to test your water for radon levels as well.
How to Eliminate Radon From the Home?
If you do test positive for radon, there’s no reason to panic! Radon is generally easy to remediate for qualified professionals. Usually, the first step is to carefully seal the floor, preventing additional radon from seeping into the living space. Then, a removal system is installed in the basement or crawl space to pump the radon gas up and away from the home. In nearly every case, this is enough to keep the house radon-free.
Radon can be a serious problem in some homes - if left untreated. Thankfully, it is a relatively easy and low-cost issue to test for, and those homes that have high levels of radon can be easily fixed. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to a qualified home inspector, and they’ll be able to help!
