We’ve all heard of radon and how dangerous it can be when on our property, however, most homeowners are unaware of what the ramifications of its presence are.
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is hard to identify, making it extremely dangerous for homeowners. The radioactive gas can be present in your home for a long period of time without you noticing it and can lead to several long-term health issues including lung cancer.
It forms naturally in soil and can enter a home through a crawlspace, basement or damaged foundation, making it important to have your soil, home inspected for radon if you live in an area that is known to have high levels of this gas.
When you have regular radon testing performed at your home, you’ll be able to have peace of mind in knowing that your family and property are as safe as possible.
A dangerous, radioactive gas
As stated above, radon is a radioactive gas that can cause long-term health issues when someone is exposed to it over a long period of time.
Surprisingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has radon gas ranked as the #2 cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. As many as 21,000 people die each year from lung cancer that is brought on by this dangerous gas.
An odorless, hard-to-detect gas
Since this gas is colorless and odorless, you will never know if you have radon inside your home unless you have it tested by a professional radon inspection team.
If you’ve heard from neighbors or have seen news stories that radon is present in the general area where you live, it’s strongly suggested to have your home tested.
There are home-testing kits available, but these are not accurate enough to tell you how much radon is on your property or where it is located.
A naturally forming gas in soil
If you’re wondering how radon can enter your home, you may be surprised to find out that it forms naturally in soil under your house where it can seep up and create issues.
When uranium breaks down in soil it can be released as radon and can make its way through cracked cement in a basement, a damaged foundation, a crawlspace and more.
If you’re looking for a way to protect your home from radon, make sure that your home’s basement and foundation are in good working condition.
Whether you’re purchasing a home and want to have it tested for radon or would like to have your current home tested, we ask that you reach out to our team at Mountaineer Inspection Services.
We have been providing trusted radon inspection services to homeowners throughout Morgantown, WV for years and take pride in finding radon issues and keeping your property and family safe.
Give us a call today at 304-709-3200 to find out if you have radon in your home.