It’s Radon Awareness Month. Here’s why you should care.
What is radon? And should I be worried?
Whether you’ve just bought a home or been a homeowner for some time, radon gas in your home is something to keep in mind and check periodically as its levels can fluctuate. Radon gas is naturally occurring from within the earth’s crust and can seep into your home, especially homes with basements. And according to the EPA, it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. So, this is something to look into!
The first step in addressing radon in your home is having it tested or installing a radon gas detection system. Product Recommendation: Air Quality Detector+Radon. There are many home tests available, or you can pay a mitigation professional to test your home’s radon level. Likewise, there are regions in the US that have more radon gas than others. If you are located anywhere near red or orange in the provided map, I would absolutely recommend that you test your home! US Map with radon levels
Next, identify your home’s current radon mitigation system (if any). Most newer homes in radon heavy regions come with a passive radon system. This is a vent pipe into the earth below your home leading to the outside. Adding an in-line fan to help pull the gas out with an already existing passive system is a relatively simple process. But with older homes, the process of putting in a mitigation system can be costly ($1,000.00 and up). I would recommend getting multiple estimates from mitigation professionals.
Most importantly, don’t freak out! If radon in a higher amount is found within your home, it can be lowered. Regularly opening up a home’s windows can help rid the house of the gas while you are waiting for a mitigation system to be installed.
To home ownership!
Steve
Steve Redder, based in Fort Collins, CO has over 20 yrs. experience in construction, home maintenance, repairs, and remodeling.
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