Why is it so important to test your property for radon gas regularly?
Radon testing is one of the most important steps homeowners can take to protect their family's health and safety. Why should homeowners care? Prolonged exposure to high radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., posing a significant risk to those living in affected homes. The problem is that radon doesn’t give any warning signs—you can’t smell or see it, and its effects can take years to show up.
Homeowners who skip testing might be living with elevated radon levels, putting their family’s health at serious risk. Radon testing provides the knowledge and peace of mind you need, ensuring that if your home has elevated radon, you can take swift action to reduce it and safeguard your living space for the long term.
What Makes Radon Testing Important?
Radon testing is crucial for every homeowner because high levels of radon gas can present a serious, yet often overlooked, health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified radon exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, right behind smoking. What makes radon particularly dangerous is that it’s completely invisible—there’s no smell, no taste, and no obvious signs that it's present in your home.
The only way to know if your family is being exposed to harmful radon levels is through testing. By regularly testing your home for radon, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your family’s health and ensuring that your living environment is safe from this silent threat.
Take Action Against the Health Risks of Radon Gas
Radon gas seeps into homes through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. This is why regular testing for radon is critical, especially since radon levels can fluctuate over time.
When Should You Test for Radon?
You should test your home for radon regularly, especially:
- When buying or selling a home: It’s recommended to test for radon during real estate transactions, as part of the home inspection process.
- After renovations: If you’ve made changes to your home’s foundation, ventilation, or basement, radon levels could shift, making testing necessary.
- Every two years: Even if your radon levels were previously low, periodic testing ensures that new sources of radon haven't developed over time.
How Radon Testing Works
Testing for radon is easy and affordable. There are two primary ways to test for radon:
- Short-term tests: These tests last anywhere from 2 to 90 days and are ideal for quick assessments.
- Long-term tests: Lasting more than 90 days, long-term tests provide a more accurate picture of your home’s average radon levels over time.
Both types of tests are available in DIY kits or can be performed by a professional radon tester.
What to Do if Radon Levels Are High
If radon testing reveals high levels (4.0 pCi/L or above), don’t panic! Radon mitigation systems can be installed to significantly reduce radon gas in your home. These systems work by venting radon gas out of the home before it can accumulate indoors.
Protecting Your Family’s Health
The most important reason why radon testing is important is that it protects your family’s health. By identifying and reducing radon exposure, you can prevent potential health risks, particularly lung cancer. Regular testing ensures that your home remains a safe environment for everyone.
