Why are Radon Inspections Important?
At 45th Parallel, we understand the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy indoor environment for you and your loved ones. That’s why radon testing is so critical. Additionally, the EPA recommends Radon testing for every real estate transaction.
Radon is a radioactive, silent, odorless, and invisible gas that occurs naturally in air, soil, and water. To be super brief and simple, it occurs as a natural process of decay in elements and starts with Uranium. It just takes a very, very long time to end up as Radon because of the very long half life of Uranium.
That decay process takes billions of years. When present at higher levels in homes or commercial structures, Radon can pose a serious threat to your health and the well-being of your family.
According to the Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer death behind smoking. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer per year.
Now for some good news:
- Testing for radon is easy
- Testing is very inexpensive
- Mitigation is relatively inexpensive, easy and highly effective
Why Choose Our Radon Testing Service?
We perform radon testing with state-of-the-art, industry-leading continuous radon monitors, making it possible to have your results within two days. It’s recommended that all radon tests take a minimum of 48 hours to provide a quick snapshot of the radon concentration in the structure. In fact, that is the minimum time allowable for real estate transactions.
Longer term testing is better, but real estate transactions move quickly, so a 48 hour snapshot is the most that most transactions have time for. We do offer longer term testing, but that would likely be applicable for when a customer is already living in a home.
Your radon test report will be delivered in electronic PDF format and include hourly readings of radon concentration, temperature, and humidity, and even shows any motion events that would indicate potential tampering. Other clues such as a rapid change in temperature could also indicate tampering due to actions such as opening and leaving open windows.
At 45th Parallel, we understand the importance of Radon testing to protect your home and family. We’ve built our company on providing honest, fair, and thorough inspections. Your health and safety is one of our top priorities, which is why we, along with the EPA recommend Radon testing for every real estate transaction.
“Russ & his team are the most thorough, conscientious, and high-quality inspectors I have encountered. They just did a general inspection, radon test, and sewer scope on my family's next home and I couldn't be happier.” - Matt B., Vancouver, WA
Radon testing is not just for real estate transactions. If you live in a home that has never been tested for Radon, we can perform testing for you. Every homeowner is recommended to have at least one test performed to get an idea of the Radon levels in the home.
Common Questions About Radon Testing
1. What is a safe level of radon in a home?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that radon levels in homes should not exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your test results show levels at or above this threshold, you should consider taking action to reduce radon exposure.
2. How often should I test for radon in my home?
The EPA recommends testing your home's radon levels at least every two years, especially if you live in an area with a known radon problem or have made structural changes to your home.
3. Can I conduct radon testing myself?
While DIY radon test kits are available, it's recommended to hire a certified professional for accurate and reliable results. We have the expertise to ensure the test is conducted correctly.
4. What if my test reveals high radon levels?
If our radon inspection reveals elevated levels of radon in your home, we’ll guide you through the mitigation process. We'll explain the available mitigation methods, their costs, and the expected outcomes. We're here to answer all your questions and help you make informed decisions.
5. What types of homes are generally higher in Radon?
Basement and slab on grade homes are generally the highest in Radon. That is because they have so much concrete in contact with soil, and Radon concentration is higher in soil because it cannot freely dissipate. Radon seeps in at concrete cracks, joints, and penetrations around piping and can accumulate in higher concentrations once in the home.
6. What types of homes are generally low in Radon concentration?
In general, ventilated crawl space homes are almost never high in Radon concentration. The reason is that Radon is free to dissipate into the atmosphere due to the ventilation under the home. We recommend not using styrofoam blocks to plug the crawl space vent screens because that reduces airflow and ventilation and can allow Radon levels to increase.
The only time we feel it is OK to use the styrofoam blocks is for a cold snap where you put them in place and then remove them once it warms back up a little to not be a concern for freezing pipes.
7. Is there anything I can do to help reduce Radon levels in my home?
If you live in a crawl space home, do not use styrofoam blocks to plug the crawl space vent screens all winter. Assuming your home has insulation under the floor and the water piping is insulated, you don’t need to plug the vents. Plugging the vents reduces airflow under the home and can allow Radon to concentrate in higher levels in the home. It’s fine to plug the vents during a cold snap to prevent any pipes from freezing etc, but when it warms back up, remove them.
Home ventilation system which brings in fresh air also helps to discharge older stale air which also contains Radon. You can open a window and ventilate basements and allow the house to air out during good weather as well. But we still recommend Radon testing under closed house conditions and mitigation if levels are elevated.
Get Answers From a Radon Inspection Specialist
The EPA recommends testing for radon in all real estate transactions. Contact us today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have regarding our radon testing services.
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