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If you merely want to know if a radon problem exists in your home, DIY testing can save you some time and money. If you need test results for a real estate transaction, you need professional radon testing.
Are professional radon tests accurate?
The instruments used by license radon professionals are sensitive and very accurate. The reports generated from these annually calibrated Continuous Radon Monitors provide details on your radon levels throughout the testing period, versus test kits that just provide a single number result.
What is the best method to test for radon gas in a building?
The most common method is to have a vent pipe system and fan installed, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside.
Are do it yourself radon test kits accurate?
These results provide a measurement of the average level of radon during that time period. Do-it-yourself kits are not time-integrated and may not be as accurate.
What is the most accurate radon test?
Our Top Picks BEST OVERALL: Corentium Home Radon Detector. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: First Alert Radon Gas Test Kit. UPGRADE PICK: Airthings Radon & Air Quality Monitor. BEST SHORT-TERM: AccuStar Radon Gas Test Kit. BEST LONG-TERM: Radon Eye Radon Reading Monitor.
Can radon tests be wrong?
The short answer is yes, as errors can happen with any type of test, but the likelihood of a wrong radon level reading changes greatly based on a variety of factors.
How do professionals test for radon?
Charcoal tests absorb the radon in the air for a specified amount of time, and once in the lab, the radioactive particles emitted by the charcoal are counted or converted to light, giving a radon level readout. Alpha track tests use a plastic film that is etched by the alpha particles that strike it.
Where is radon most likely found?
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor.
Does radon travel upstairs?
Radon is known to be a heavy gas. Please understand that the radon level can be significantly higher on an upper floor. Even if the radon level is lower on the first floor than say a basement radon level, it could be higher on the second floor. The only way to know is if you test.
How do you know if you have radon in your house?
The only way you can tell that you might have radon in your house is looking for the entryways. Finding cracks in your floor or walls might mean radon has made its way into your home, but there’s still no way to know for sure.
Can I test radon myself?
You can do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. from a hardware store. Or you can order one by calling 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236) or going to the National Radon Program Services website (http://sosradon.org/test-kits). Set up the testing device to check the air for radon.
How do you make sure you pass a radon test?
Some of these methods for how to pass a radon test include: Open windows. By opening the windows, you increase fresh air circulation and reduce the concentration of radon in the home. Install basement vents. Use fans. Create exits. Mitigation.
Is radon testing worth it?
When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. You Should Test for Radon. Testing is the only way to find out your home’s radon levels.
What time of year is radon highest?
The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold. During the winter, the air in your home tends to be much warmer than the outside air, and this temperature difference creates a vacuum within your home.
What is the average radon level in homes?
The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels.
Can a dehumidifier reduce radon?
No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. Radon must be removed by a remediation method like active soil depressurization (ASD), which ironically has been shown to be even more effective at removing humidity from a home than a dehumidifier in the same EPA study.
How often are radon tests inaccurate?
Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time. Summary: A new study finds the only reliable way to measure exposure to radon gas is with a long-term testing kit, 90 or more days.
How often do radon tests fail?
Statistically speaking, 1 in 100 homes will fail even after installing a radon system. Although that can sound alarming, there are some common reasons this can happen. Water: It’s the easiest one to understand. A home that has a high water table, or is known to easily flood can and often will be tougher to mitigate.
What can affect radon test?
Extreme Weather. With extreme thunderstorms and heavy rainfall thanks to Storm Ciara alongside further snow and ice warnings, this can have a knock-on effect on radon testing results. Along with travel disruptions and public safety concerns, storms also bring in lower pressure in the atmosphere.
How much does a radon inspection cost?
The average cost for testing for radon ranges from $125 to $350, with most homeowners paying $200 for an installed continuous radon monitor.Radon Testing Cost. Radon testing prices National average cost $200 Average range $125-$350 Minimum cost $15 Maximum cost $400.
How common is radon in homes?
It’s common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level. The gas is odorless and invisible, says the EPA, and it causes no immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is affected is by testing your individual residence.
How do you get rid of radon in your home?
Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home.
