Radon testing is the only way to determine if your home has higher-than-average levels of radon, which can pose a health risk to your family.
There are two primary types of radon testing. You can choose to use a short-term test kit, which is usually placed and left for a period of up to 90 days, or a long-term kit, which is designed to measure seasonal fluctuations in radon levels. Long-term kits are left in place for 90+ days.
Most radon test kits consist of a charcoal canister or a similar material, which can pick up and trap small amounts of radon. Using lab tests, the amount of radon in a test kit can be determined, and the overall radon levels in your home can be measured.
Understanding The Benefits
The biggest benefit of radon testing is peace of mind. Radon has no smell, taste, or color, and beyond contributing to the development of lung cancer, radon exposure has no symptoms that can be identified by a doctor. That means a radon test is the only way to make sure your home has a safe level of radon.
Radon tests can also save you money if you’re trying to sell your home, because you can provide information about radon levels to potential buyers, and ensure you meet local codes related to radon compliance. The EPA also recommends that you test for radon when buying a home. That way, if high levels of radon are detected, you can request that the home seller install mitigation features, or you can back out of the purchase by utilizing your home inspection contingency.
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally present in the environment. It is formed by the radioactive decay of radium, which is a naturally occurring radioactive metal. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, and it is present in small amounts in the air that we breathe. It can enter homes through cracks and openings in the foundation, and it can accumulate to high levels inside buildings. Exposure to high levels of radon gas can increase the risk of lung cancer. It is important to test the air in your home for radon and to take steps to reduce the level of radon if it is found to be high.
Should I test my home for radon?
It is a good idea to test your home for radon, especially if you live in an area where radon levels are known to be high. Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is present in outdoor air and can also be found in homes and other buildings. Exposure to high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, so it is important to take steps to reduce your exposure if your home has high levels of radon. If you are not sure whether you should test your home for radon, you can contact your local health department or a radon testing professional for more information.
How do I test for Radon?
There are several ways to test for radon in your home:
Short-term radon test kits: These kits are inexpensive and easy to use. They can be purchased at hardware stores, home improvement stores, or online. They typically include a small container that you place in your home for a few days to a week, then send back to a laboratory for analysis.
Long-term radon test kits: These kits are more accurate than short-term kits, but they take longer to provide results. They can be purchased in the same places as short-term kits, or from a radon testing professional. They typically include a small container that you place in your home for several months to a year, then send back to a laboratory for analysis.
Continuous radon monitors: These devices provide continuous readings of radon levels in your home. They can be purchased from a radon testing professional or online.
Professional radon testing: You can hire a professional radon testing company to test your home for radon. The company will use specialized equipment to measure radon levels in your home over a period of time.
It is important to follow the instructions provided with the test kit or device carefully, and to place the test kit or device in a location where it will be exposed to the same air as you are. This typically means placing it at least four inches off the ground, in the lowest lived-in level of your home.
Why Should I hire a radon Professional to test for radon?
There are several reasons why you might choose to hire a professional radon testing company:
Accuracy: Professional radon testers use specialized equipment that is more accurate than test kits that you can purchase yourself. This means that you can be more confident in the results of a professional test.
Convenience: A professional testing company will handle all aspects of the testing process, from setting up the equipment to collecting and analyzing the data. This can be more convenient than doing the testing yourself.
Expertise: Professional radon testers are trained and certified in the use of radon testing equipment and the interpretation of test results. They can provide you with valuable information about the levels of radon in your home and what you can do to reduce your exposure.
Peace of mind: If you are concerned about the levels of radon in your home, hiring a professional radon testing company can give you peace of mind and help you to feel more confident in the safety of your home.
Overall, hiring a professional radon testing company can be a good investment if you want to ensure that your home is safe and free from harmful levels of radon.
Do I have to be licensed to test for radon in Colorado?
In Colorado, anyone who performs radon testing or mitigation must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This includes both individuals and companies.
To become licensed, individuals must complete a CDPHE-approved radon measurement or radon mitigation training program and pass a written exam. Companies must also register with the CDPHE and ensure that all employees who perform radon testing or mitigation are licensed.
If you are considering hiring a radon testing or mitigation company in Colorado, it is a good idea to check that the company is licensed by the CDPHE. You can do this by contacting the CDPHE’s Radon Program at 303-692-3320 or by visiting their website at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/radon-program.
How is radon tested during a real estate transaction?
During a real estate transaction, radon is typically tested as part of a home inspection. The home inspector will use a radon test kit or a continuous radon monitor to measure the levels of radon in the home. The test kit or monitor will be placed in a location in the home where it will be exposed to the same air as the occupants of the home, such as in the basement or on the first floor. The test kit or monitor will be left in place for a period of time, typically two to seven days, to allow for a sufficient sample to be collected.
After the test period is over, the test kit or monitor will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the levels of radon in the sample and provide a report with the results. The report will indicate whether the levels of radon in the home are above or below the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
If the levels of radon in the home are above the action level, the home inspector may recommend that the seller take steps to reduce the levels of radon before the sale is finalized. Alternatively, the buyer may request that the seller take steps to reduce the levels of radon as a condition of the sale.
What radon levels are dangerous?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homeowners take action to reduce the levels of radon in their homes if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. This is the action level for radon established by the EPA.
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. The higher the level of radon in your home, the greater your risk of lung cancer. In general, the risk of lung cancer increases as the level of radon in your home increases.
It is important to note that there is no safe level of radon, and even small amounts of radon can be harmful. However, the risk of lung cancer from radon increases significantly at higher levels. If the radon level in your home is above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends taking steps to reduce your exposure to radon.
If you are concerned about the levels of radon in your home, the best way to find out what the levels are is to test for radon. There are several types of radon test kits available, or you can hire a professional radon testing company to test your home.
What can be done if radon levels are high?
If the levels of radon in your home are found to be high, there are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radon:
Ventilate your home: Increasing the ventilation in your home can help to reduce the levels of radon by diluting the air and allowing it to flow out of the house. This can be done by opening windows and doors, using exhaust fans, and using a whole-house ventilation system.
Seal your home: Sealing cracks and openings in your home’s foundation, walls, and floors can help to prevent radon from entering the home.
Install a radon mitigation system: A radon mitigation system is a specialized ventilation system that is designed to reduce the levels of radon in your home. These systems are typically installed by a radon mitigation professional and can be effective at reducing radon levels in your home.
Move to a lower-radon location: If the levels of radon in your home are extremely high and cannot be reduced through other means, you may need to consider moving to a location with lower levels of radon.
It is important to note that reducing the levels of radon in your home can be a complex process, and it is usually best to hire a radon mitigation professional to help you. A radon mitigation professional can assess your home and recommend the best course of action to reduce the levels of radon.
What type of radon measurement device does Villa Vista Inspection use?
CRM monitors (Continuous Radon Monitors) by Airthings are electronic devices that continuously measure and record the levels of radon in the air. They are designed to provide accurate, real-time readings of radon levels over a period of time, typically several months or longer.
Airthings CRM monitors use a sensor to measure the levels of radon in the air and a microprocessor to store and process the data. The data can be accessed through a smartphone app or online dashboard, allowing you to track the levels of radon in your home over time.
CRM monitors are a convenient and reliable way to monitor the levels of radon in your home. They are easy to use and can provide continuous, long-term monitoring of radon levels without the need to send test kits to a laboratory for analysis. They are often used by homeowners, real estate professionals, and radon mitigation professionals to monitor the levels of radon in homes and buildings.
ruben@villavistainspection.com
303-396-4806
Villa Vista Inspection Services provides high-quality home inspection services in Denver, Arvada, Thornton, Westminster, Aurora, Fort Collins, Boulder, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Parker, and the surrounding areas. Our services include residential inspections, radon testing, sewer scope inspections, thermal imaging, commercial inspections, and more.
