Radon Testing
Radon Testing:
Unity Property and Pest proudly offers professional radon gas testing services. We offer this testing in addition to our home inspections or as a stand-alone service.
Our team performs efficient and accurate radon gas testing in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and most of Northeast Ohio.
Interested in testing? Not sure if you need it?
Everything you need to know is outlined below.
What is Radon?
Radon is a type of radioactive gas. It’s naturally formed when radioactive metals (such as uranium, thorium, and radium) are broken down in groundwater, rocks, and soil.
Everyone is exposed to radon in small amounts throughout their lives. However, when radon levels rise too high, they can have a negative effect on indoor air quality and cause a variety of health problems.
Risks of Radon
The following are some of the most well-known symptoms linked to high levels of radon exposure:
● Coughing
● Shortness of breath
● Wheezing
● Chest pain
● Unexplained weight loss
● Frequent infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.)
Long-term radon exposure can also cause serious lung damage. In fact, it’s the number two cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
Benefits of Radon Testing
There are lots of reasons to make radon testing a priority, including these:
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
First of all, radon testing helps you ensure your home is safe for you and your family. If you make testing a priority, you can save yourself and your loved ones from the health problems caused by Radon (coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and frequent infections).
Easier Home Sales
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s a good idea to schedule a radon test as part of your home inspection.
There’s a good chance that potential buyers will ask for paperwork showing that your house does not have unsafe radon levels. If you beat them to the punch and get the testing done early, you can speed up the sales process.
How does Radon Testing work?
Preparing for Radon Testing
There are a few steps you can take to prepare your home for accurate testing, including these:- 12 hours before the test, close all exterior windows and doors.
- Keep all doors and windows closed, except for normal entries and exits.
- Keep heating and air conditioning on “auto” mode, and set them between 67 and 77 degrees.
During testing, be sure to turn off all ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and air filters that are within 20 feet of the monitors. This ensures that nothing skews the test results.
What to do about high Radon levels
Radon gas is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA has defined an “action level” of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) regarding radon gas testing and measurements. Meaning, if your radon gas level test results are 4.0 pCi/L or greater, the EPA recommends the home be fixed (mitigated). However, since there are no known levels of safe exposure to radon, the EPA recommends that all Americans consider fixing their home if the levels are between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
If you learn that radon levels in your home are higher than what the EPA deems safe, here are some steps you can take to lower them:
- Identify and seal cracks and openings in the foundation to prevent more radon from entering.
- Install a soil suction system for radon reduction. This is a pipe and fan system that pulls radon out from under the house and sends it outside.
- Install a gas-permeable layer beneath your flooring. This option only works if you have a basement or slab foundation.
Remember, the sooner you act after learning about high radon levels, the better.
Average cost of a Radon Test
The average radon test cost is about $437. Tests can range from $146 on the low end to $730 on the high end.
If you’re hesitant about the cost, keep in mind that professional Akron radon testing is much more accurate than an at-home radon test kit. An at-home test kit is better than nothing, but it won’t provide the level of precision that you deserve.
Keep in mind, too, that professional testing for radon in Akron will also be cheaper than radon mitigation. If you test early, you’ll be able to avoid having to spend a lot of time and money lowering radon levels later.
Schedule your Radon Testing Today
Do you want to schedule Akron radon testing for your home? If so, we’re here to help at Unity Property & Pest.
Contact us today to learn more or to make an appointment for testing.
If you want to learn more about radon testing or mitigation, you can visit the EPA’s website. You can also contact the Ohio Indoor Radon Program.