Do I need radon testing if I don't have a basement?
Even single type of home is susceptible to radon gas regardless if there is a basement or not. If you live in a split level, ranch, 2 nd floor apartment, or a 2-story home with a basement, radon is a potential threat to you. Is Radon Testing Necessary If I Do Not Have a Basement? If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Do all homes have radon problem?
Homes built on all types of surfaces have radon problem; however, some homes are built on foundations that contain large amounts of natural stones like limestone, granite, and other quarry rocks. When certain rocks begin to decompose, and erode, radon gas is emitted.
How does radon get into your home?
This is how the radon gas gets into your home. If you have a basement, it is easier for the radon to get in to your home due to the large amounts of pressure put onto the structure, but this does not mean that homes without basements don't have to worry.
Are all homes in Ohio at risk for radon gas?
Many people believe the lie that if their house does not have a basement then they are not susceptible to the gas; however all homes in Ohio are at risk to radon gas because of the soil. This is why it is important for all homes to be tested for Radon gas regardless what style home you have.
Can radon be in a house on a slab?
Yes, homes built on a slab can still have radon. Whether the home is old, new, insulated or not and regardless of construction materials it can have radon. All homes, regardless of type of construction, should be tested for radon once per year per the EPA and Health Canada. My home is built over a crawl space.
Where is radon most commonly found?
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings.Rock and soil produce radon gas.Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home.Basements allow more opportunity for soil gas entry than slab-on-grade foundations.More items...
Does opening windows help with radon?
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. Homes tend to have lower air pressure than their surroundings, which draws radon into the basement.
Should I walk away from a house with radon?
Radon-related deaths are due to exposure over the course of a lifetime. "You should definitely take it seriously but you really don't need to walk away from the home. It's actually pretty easy to remove radon, and it's not that expensive," Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope said.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
However, because radon isn't safe at any level, they also suggest treating homes with radon levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L. According to the EPA, the average radon gas concentration in a home is about 1.3 pCi/L, which does not pose an appreciable risk to most residents living in the house.
What season is radon highest?
To 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 air purifiers work for radon?
Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.
What can throw off 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.
How do I make my house safe from radon?
An active radon sump, fitted with a fan, is the most effective way to reduce indoor radon levels. Sumps work best under solid floors and under suspended floors if the ground is covered with concrete or a membrane. Occasionally, passive sumps without a fan may reduce radon levels.
How common is radon in homes?
Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state.
What are symptoms of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...
Does radon hurt pets?
The worst thing about radon gas poisoning for your dog is the risk of cancer. Several tests on animals prove that radon gas and its associated isotopes can certainly have carcinogenic effects. Your dog is not immune to this and is at risk for developing lung cancer the same way you would be.
How does radon get into a house?
When certain rocks begin to decompose, and erode, radon gas is emitted. After a certain period of time, homes begin to settle, and because the concrete foundation is not flexible, it will crack. This is how the radon gas gets into your home. If you have a basement, it is easier for the radon to get in to your home due to the large amounts ...
Why is radon in the ground?
Because radon comes up out of the ground and enters the home through its foundation, which every home has, each house is susceptible to radon gas. It makes no difference if the building is old, new, insulated, or drafty. All types of homes are at risk of radon whether or not they have a basement.
What is the goal of Radon Eliminator?
Our primary goal at Radon Eliminator is to share the essential information as it relates to radon, its health effects and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Can you get radon from a basement?
YES! Even single type of home is susceptible to radon gas regardless if there is a basement or not. If you live in a split level, ranch, 2 nd floor apartment, or a 2-story home with a basement, radon is a potential threat to you.
Do you need radon test if you don't have a basement?
Radon Testing is Critical Even if You Do Not Have a Basement. Many people believe the lie that if their house does not have a basement then they are not susceptible to the gas; however all homes in Ohio are at risk to radon gas because of the soil. This is why it is important for all homes to be tested for Radon gas regardless what style home you ...
Do homes have radon?
The answer is, Yes....kind of! Homes built on all types of surfaces have radon problem; however, some homes are built on foundations that contain large amounts of natural stones like limestone, granite, and other quarry rocks. When certain rocks begin to decompose, and erode, radon gas is emitted.
Do homes with more radon have higher levels of radon gas?
Homes that are more elevated, and have a more ventilated living space are undoubtedly less likely to have high levels of radon gas.
How often should I test for radon?
According to the "authorities that be", you're supposed to test for radon every two years. You're also supposed to test your GFCI devices monthly. We all do this, right? ;-)
How to tell if radon mitigation fan is running?
The quick and dirty way to see if a radon mitigation fan is running is to take a peek at the radon pipe in the basement. If it's an active system, there should be a monitoring tube installed. This tube gets filled with a liquid which gets offset by the suction created by a fan. It'll tell you if the fan is running or not. If the liquid levels are even, there's a problem. If the levels are offset, that's good news.
What happens if you don't have a basement?
If you don't have a basement, your potential for high levels of radon will go down. If you have a Minnesota home that was built after 2009, it should have a passive radon mitigation system. Passive radon systems will lower the potential for high radon.
Do you need a radon test if you don't have a basement?
After that experience, I stopped telling people that they probably don't need to test if they don't have a basement. I started saying that the only way to be sure of low levels of radon is to test. That's all. If you don't have a basement, your potential for high levels of radon will go down. If you have a Minnesota home that was built after 2009, it should have a passive radon mitigation system. Passive radon systems will lower the potential for high radon. We've found that about 20% of homes with passive systems have high levels of radon, compared to about 40% of homes without any system. See Radon in New Minnesota Homes.
