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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 Penn Yan, NY

Radon, a discreet yet significant hazard, is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that naturally emanates from the breakdown of uranium in the earth. When left unchecked, radon disperses harmlessly, posing no immediate threat. However, if it infiltrates enclosed spaces such as your home, it gradually accumulates, transforming into a substantial and potentially severe health risk.

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 radon gas through the senses is impossible, making it difficult to accurately assess its presence in your home. Excessive exposure to radon can lead to various health issues, with lung cancer posing the most significant risk. Notably, radon gas stands as the primary cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and holds the second position overall. According to the EPA, radon claims approximately 21,000 lives annually, and a notable 2,900 of those individuals are non-smokers.

The most effective way to address radon gas is to entrust the task to professionals you can rely on! If you are considering mitigation or testing for radon gas in your home, do not hesitate to contact EcoSpect.

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Let Your Local Experts Handle the Situation!

Detecting radon gas is a complex task, emphasizing the precision required in assessing its presence in your home. Prolonged exposure to radon can lead to various health issues, with lung cancer posing a significant risk. Notably, radon gas stands as the primary cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and secures the second position overall. According to the EPA, radon claims approximately 21,000 lives annually, with 2,900 of those individuals being non-smokers.

Navigating the intricacies of addressing radon gas underscores the importance of entrusting this critical task to seasoned professionals. EcoSpect, with its wealth of experience and expertise, stands confidently prepared to assist you in mitigating or testing for radon gas in your home. Our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of your living spaces is absolute. Don’t hesitate to reach out, as we exude professionalism in providing comprehensive solutions tailored to your specific needs.

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.