Radon gas is a dangerous threat that can cause serious health problems. With a better understanding of what radon is and how it gets inside your home, you will understand why it’s important to test for radon.
Why It’s Important to Test for Radon in Your Home
Uranium is found underground throughout the United States, and radon is formed through the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. This radioactive gas seeps up and out of the soil. When the gas enters your home, it can become highly concentrated and cause illness over time. If your radon test results reveal unsafe levels, a mitigation expert can lower them.
1. Test for Radon Because It Can Occur Anywhere
Radon gas seeps into the home through openings and cracks. Even hairline cracks in the foundation, siding, or other areas can allow radon in the home. If your house has well-sealed doors and windows, the radon that enters the home can build up to high levels. While radon is more common in some areas than in others, no home is immune to it.
2. A Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
The leading cause of lung cancer in this country is smoking cigarettes. The second leading cause is exposure to radon gas. Radon is impossible to detect without professional testing because it is clear and odorless. Hire a professional to test for radon in your home to protect your family’s health.
3. DIY Testing for Radon Is Unreliable
DIY testing kits for radon are an option, but they are unreliable. When it comes to the well-being of your family members, you want accurate information about radon levels. Test results will tell you if mitigation is needed and a professional will determine which mitigation measures are the best option for your home.
4. Radon Mitigation Should Begin Immediately
Mitigation is designed to lower radon gas levels in your living spaces. Mitigation processes reduce the amount of gas that enters the home and ventilate existing radon out of the home.
Even after you have the home mitigated, test for radon regularly so that you know of any changes to the radon levels in your home.
Long Cove Inspections is a Maine Registered Tester for radon in air and water. We offer radon testing and other home inspection services to Mid-Coast Maine. Contact us to request an appointment.