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Don’t leave the safety of your home to chance. Contact EcoSpect today to schedule a radon testing appointment.
Expert Radon Testing in Ithaca, NY
Radon, an insidious, insipid, and odorless radioactive gas, emerges naturally from the decay of uranium in the earth. When allowed to disperse freely, radon poses no immediate threat. However, its subtle infiltration into enclosed spaces, such as your home, introduces the potential for accumulation, culminating in a formidable health risk. Recognizing the surreptitious nature of radon is vital—this silent intruder steadily amasses in indoor environments, evolving into a significant concern for human health. It is crucial to comprehend that radon’s insidious intrusion into indoor spaces, with its cumulative presence, becomes a pressing concern for human health. Regular monitoring and proactive mitigation measures are paramount to safeguard against this concealed peril, ensuring a more salubrious living environment for you and your loved ones.
There are many entry points radon gas can take to get inside your home. The most common entryways include:
- Cracks found in foundation walls and floor slabs
- Construction joints
- Support posts
- Floor drains
- Sumps or wall cavities
- Dirt floors
- Window casements
- Gaps around service pipes
- Radon can also make its way through solid concrete floors and walls over time
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Detecting the subtle presence and concentration of radon gas in your home poses a substantial challenge due to its imperceptibility to human senses. Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels can lead to various health issues, with lung cancer emerging as a significant concern. It is worth noting that radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and holds the second position in the overall hierarchy of causative factors. According to EPA statistics, approximately 21,000 lives succumb to radon-related consequences annually, with a notable 2,900 of these being non-smokers.
For an effective and comprehensive approach to radon gas mitigation, it is highly advisable to entrust this critical endeavor to seasoned professionals. We strongly encourage you to promptly connect with EcoSpect for thorough radon mitigation or testing in your home. They stand as your dedicated ally, committed to creating a living environment that is not only secure but also promotes a heightened sense of well-being.
Radon Gas FAQs
What is radon gas and how does it get into my home?
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that forms naturally in the earth. As the earth shifts,
fissures and veins carrying radon gasses open and close. When those gasses release from the
earth into open air they dissipate. When the openings are under your home they run into your
slab/foundation. The gasses then enter through cracks, gaps and holes. Once inside, the gas can
become concentrated and dangerous.
What is an acceptable level of radon?
While there are no “safe” levels for sustained radon exposure, the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) recommends considering mitigation at levels of 2.0-3.9 pCi/l and considers
levels of 4.0 pCi/l or higher to be the level at which to mitigate.
How do I test my home?
An EPA certified Radon Testing Company will place an Activated Charcoal Canister in your
home for a minimum of 48 hours and submit the testing to a laboratory for results.
How often should I test my home?
EPA guidelines state a home should be tested every 2-5 years. More often if renovations that
involve the foundation have been done. This is because changes in the passageways in soil (high
water, construction, weather conditions etc.) as well as changes in the building condition (energy
improvements) can cause radon levels in the home to vary and change.
My neighbor has high level (low level) results. Should I have a test conducted?
Every home is different as are the fissures and veins that carry radon gasses under each home
different. What your neighbor’s test results are should be irrelevant to whether you test your
home or not. There are areas of New York that historically have high radon levels (Cortland
County and Yates County are two), but it is our opinion that every home should be tested to
confirm the radon gas levels.
My home is brand new (very old) why would I need a test done?
The terrific weatherization options now available for a home may actually be worse for dealing with radon gasses. Because the home is so efficiently sealed any gasses that enter are essentially trapped. Whereas older homes with loose caulking, ill-fitting doors and windows and poor insulation actually allow the radon gasses to dissipate.
What is the average installation cost?
There are several factors that can contribute to cost such as slab condition, composition of soil
under slab and whether you have a crawlspace or a full basement. Call us for a free, onsite
estimate.
How does a radon system work?
A radon mitigation system works by depressurizing the area underneath a basement slab or vapor barrier. The system draws the radon polluted air out of the house and expels the gas above the roof line with the use of a radon approved fan.
How long does it take to install a radon mitigation system?
A typical installation takes a single day to complete, however, there are instances where a second day is needed.
How will the installation change the ‘face’ of my home?
We do our best to keep the aesthetics of the home intact. If it is possible, we run the PVC piping alongside a chimney, we try to keep the piping in the rear of the home or we can paint the PVC to match the home’s color.
Why do my pipes gurgle?
There are a couple of possibilities:
- When the water table surrounding your home is high it may collect under your foundation/slab.
The radon fan is powerful and can pull water into the pipes. A sump pump can help. - The radon mitigation system can pull humidity from the basement and water can collect in the
pipes. A dehumidifier can help. - The pitch of the pipes may be wrong and not allowing water to run off properly. Call us for an
inspection.
What are the maintenance requirements after installation?
There is no maintenance with a radon mitigation system. There are just two ‘moving parts’ to a radon mitigation system – the fan (which has a 5-year warranty) and a manometer. The manometer is a u-shaped glass tube filled with a liquid (colored for easy reading) that measures pressure. The liquid levels of the manometer should not be level but offset. If they are level the system is not working and you should contact your installer. If the fan is not working you should contact your installer.