What Is Radon, and Why Should You Care?

Radon is a gas that is radioactive. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless, and radon, because it is a gas that escapes from the ground, is found in almost all homes. It becomes dangerous when it builds up in homes when ventilation is limited, such as during the winter months. The amount of radon found in a home depends on many factors:

• How well insulated the home is
• The local climate
• The type of rocks under and around a home
• The amount of soil around the home
• How solid the home’s foundation is
• How airtight the home is

What Causes Radon?

Radon’s cause is completely natural. When uranium breaks down in soil, rocks and water, radon is emitted into the air.

How is Radon Diagnosed?

Since radon has no taste, color or smell, it needs to be tested with a specialized kit. You will only be able to know if your home has radon if it has high levels of the gas. Affordable do-it-yourself radon tests are available for purchase online and at hardware stores. However, these tests are not always reliable or well executed, and they will still need to be mailed in to a lab for analysis.

The best way to have radon diagnosed is to hire a professional for radon testing in Aspen, CO. Look for a radon inspection company with experience and state-of-the-art technology. They will test for radon in your basement and other areas with poor ventilation, where the highest levels of radon are likely to be found. Winter is a good time to test, because this is a time of year when your windows have been closed for a while.

Why Should You Care?

Breathing in radon for an extended amount of time is a concern. Outdoors, radon is diluted and not a safety hazard. However, when radon accumulates in an enclosed space, you or your loved ones could end up being exposed to too much radon. Over time, this has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Many states have made it a law for a radon inspection to be conducted prior to a home sale because of the seriousness of radon exposure. Second to smoking, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer.

Can Radon Exposure be Prevented or Corrected?

The good news is that if your home tests high for radon, there are many possible fixes that will help reduce the amount of radon seeping into your home. Sometimes the fix is as simple as covering cracks in the foundation and exposed areas in the basement or crawl space. Other times, more involved actions need to be taken to reinforce your foundation. A professional contractor that you trust will be able to help advise you on how to correct a high radon problem.

Get Professional Radon Testing in Aspen, CO

Radon testing in Aspen, CO is too important to leave to amateurs. Trust a professional for your family’s safety. At HealthSafe Inspections Inc., we have over 23 years of experience giving our customers the most trustworthy and reliable service found anywhere. Call us today for a comprehensive radon test to keep you and your family safe.

Categorised in: Radon

This post was written by Writer