Should I retest my Home for radon after a recent test?
As a home inspector I always recommend every homeowner do a radon test when they move into their new home, even if a radon test was done as part of your home inspection. In some cases, even if a recent radon test has come or comes back low, below 4 pCi/L or even below 2 pCi/L, it may be a good idea to retest your home for radon.
Do I need a radon test if I have mitigation?
For this reason it’s always good for new homeowners to do a radon test after they move in, even if there is a radon mitigation system present; the homeowner can hire out or do their own test when they are in control to ensure proper radon testing protocols are met. 2.
Is it worth it to test for radon?
“It’s worth testing for radon because it’s easy to test for and easy to mitigate… and cancer is such a devastating disease that’s best avoided,” said Dr. Douglas Kemme, an oncologist with UCHealth in northern Colorado. Testing is recommended during a time of the year when all of the windows and doors are closed – like this month, January.
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How often should you test radon?
every two yearsIf you're wondering how often you should test for radon, here are the facts. To provide peace of mind, 2the EPA recommends testing your home after any lifestyle changes, renovations and every two years as part of routine home maintenance.
How long does it take for radon to go down after mitigation?
This increase in ventilation mixes outdoor air with the indoor air containing radon, and can result in reduced radon levels. However, once windows, doors and vents are closed, radon concentrations most often return to previous values within about 12 hours.
How often are radon tests inaccurate?
"Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2019.
Is it normal for radon to fluctuate?
Radon levels are constantly changing – hourly, daily, and seasonal fluctuations are all common. If you have tested multiple times and received back differing results, don't be too alarmed – this is common!
How long does it take for radon fan to work?
What are the benefits of radon mitigation? The primary benefit is reducing the risk of developing lung cancer. Standard radon reduction systems are usually effective within 24 hours and maintain low levels as long as the fan is operating.
How long does it take to get rid of radon?
Generally speaking, it only takes one to three days to remove the radon from your home, and then it will need to be tested again. If levels are below the recommended threshold of 0.4 pCi/L, a radon mitigation system can be installed to prevent more radon from coming into your home.
What can mess up a radon test?
Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.
Can anything affect a radon test?
Many factors can give either a false negative or a false positive when conducting a radon test. High winds, barometric pressures, temperature, rain, and your home's construction all play a role in radon readings.
Which radon test is most accurate?
The Radon Eye RD200 tops our list for its fast, accurate readings. After setting up this radon detector, you'll get your initial reading within the first 10 minutes with a more accurate reading appearing within the next 60.
What time of year is radon highest?
winterTo answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter. And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer. While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.
Do radon levels go up at night?
During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but at night, there is a rapid cooldown. This results in slightly higher radon levels during the day, rather than at night.
Will opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
When is radon highest in a house?
Generally radon levels in homes are highest during coldest part of winter and could be double or more when houses are closed up tight, heating systems are running and the ground around the house if frozen. 3.
What is the radon level in a home?
In some cases, even if a recent radon test has come or comes back low, below 4 pCi/L or even below 2 pCi/L, it may be a good idea to retest your home for radon.
How to contact Tom Francis about radon?
If you have further questions regarding radon testing or need advice on follow-up testing or test interpreting your test results call or email Tom Francis at 315-439-1103 or [email protected].
Where to hang radon test kits?
Often test radon test kits hang from the ceiling or test are placed up on shelves or tables. Please be aware that radon level could be three times as high for a test placed near the ceiling as compared to one placed 20 inches above the floor of the same room.
Is radon testing expensive?
Radon testing is pretty simple and not expensive so just decide now to re-test your home and either confirm the radon is at an acceptable level or find out if corrective action is needed. If you find out your home’s radon is at or above the 4.0 pCi/L action level, then it is advised to take the needed action to correct it and keep your family safe.
Is radon hard to pin down?
Radon tends to be allusive and difficult to pin down. If you live in New York its likely one or more of these reasons applies to your own situation. When there is reason to test or re-testing for radon, you should just do it.
Can you test radon in the basement?
If you tested radon on the first floor but later start to use a lower level, such as a basement play area or finished basement room and have not tested the basement level, it could have a much higher radon concentration than the first floor. If so, you should conduct a test in the basement. 6. Often test radon test kits hang from ...
What should I do if my radon level is higher than 4?
What You Should Do. Higher than 4 pCi/L. Take a second test to make sure the first test results were accurate. You can use another short-term test, or you can use a long-term test. Contact a licensed professional to install a radon reduction system if: –The average of both short-term tests is higher than 4 pCi/L, or.
What does radon test mean?
What Do The Test Results Mean? Radon is measured in units of picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 pCi/L of air. The lower the average pCi/L level in the air you breathe, the lower your risk of getting lung cancer.
Do you need to test for radon before renovating?
for information. If you are planning any major structural renovation, such as converting an unfinished basement area into living space, it is especially important to test the area for radon before you begin the renovation .
What is radon?
It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer in high quantities over long periods of time. Radon enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation, getting trapped at any level of the property. It is odourless, colourless and invisible.
Should I test for radon?
Radon is undetectable by human senses. It is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that can seep into your home through the ground.
Does the USA have high radon levels?
At Airthings, we are obsessed with all things air quality. Our radon and indoor air quality monitors are loved by thousands worldwide. Because of this, we have unique insight into data from sensors across the world, broken down by location and anonymized.
Radon regulations in the USA
As awareness around radon increases, many States are choosing to make radon gas monitoring a priority. However, there is still a long way to go.
Why do you need a long term radon test?
Long-term test results give a more representative picture of radon levels because it factors in the influences of changing temperatures and barometric pressure, according to the state. The long-term test is recommended if the short-term test results are close to the 4 pCi/L mitigation threshold.
How often should I get radon test results?
Within a few weeks, you will get your results. No matter the results, radon testing should be done every few years. The Map of Radon Zones shows were high levels of radon are found throughout the United States, but it should not be used to determine if individual homes need to be tested.
How much does radon cost?
Radon systems costs $500 to $2,500, depending on the type and design of the home, according to CDPHE. Some federal programs might be able to help fund radon reduction in homes for limited-income families. The CDPHE also has a low-income radon mitigation assistance program for homeowners.
How does radon gas work?
Radon mitigation systems work by overpowering the natural vacuum under the home and providing an alternative route for radon.
How do I get a free radon test in Colorado?
Colorado residents can get a free radon test kit through the CDPHE. The state provides one free test per address when you fill out a simple online form that includes your name, address, email and phone number. People can also purchase radon test kits through the state’s website or at most home improvement stores.
How long does it take to test for radon?
There are two types of radon tests: long-term radon detectors that test over a three- to 12-month period and short-term radon kits that are completed in a matter of days. The state recommends people start with a short-term test — the free test the state provides — to see what potential radon risk may exist in a home.
Where does radon come from?
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in rock and soil, an abundant metal in the West. As it decays, it produces a gas that rises from soil. That radon gas can get trapped inside your home, and years of exposure to high levels of radon can cause cancer, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. ...
