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| Serving Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas for over 14 years |
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Gavin A. Smith NC Home Inspector License: 798 NC General Contractor License: 39297 NC State Septic Inspector License: 26571    |
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Digital Radon TestingWhat is radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that comes from decaying uranium. It is colorless and odorless and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. While the northeast part of our country is most known for high radon, dangerous levels of this gas have been identified in all 50 states. Radon seeps from the ground, through the foundation of your home, and into the air. Surprisingly, homes with a slab or basement construction tend to have higher radon levels than those with a crawlspace. This is because a crawlspace allows for some ventilation under the home, and radon can seep directly through the porous concrete in a slab or basement foundation.  Did you know that in May, 2005, Harvard research scientists ranked radon first among home hazards? In a judgemental ranking of 10 potential hazards in the home, they ranked radon in the air as a greater risk than (in order) falling, poisoning, fires and burns, suffocation, firearms, environmental tobacco smoke, formaldehyde gas, insulation fibers, and electric and magnetic fields from power lines. Why should I have a radon test done in my home? In March, 2008, the EPA reported that approximately 1 out of every 15 homes in the US has elevated radon levels, so they currently recommend that every home be tested for radon. While the Triangle area is not as well known for radon as the northeast United States is, there are definitely areas here that have high concentrations. Based on our test results, North Raleigh and Wake Forest tend to have the highest radon levels, although we have also found concentrations of radon in other areas nearby. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to problems with radon, as well as anyone with a respiratory condition like asthma. The only way to know the levels of radon in your home is to have a professional test performed. High radon levels in a home is a correctable problem, but it can be costly. The average cost of radon mitigation is $2,000, so if you have a radon test done before you buy your home, the seller or builder can then be responsible for the repair. How does a radon test work?
We use a Femto-Tech digital monitor for our radon tests. These monitors are calibrated every 6 months and are one of the most accurate measurement tools available. It is a continuous hour monitor that gives you an instant reading of the amount of radon measured in the home every hour, for a minimum of 48 hours. Test results are printed on site, with a printout of the radon levels detected each hour along with the environmental conditions noted for each hour. This gives you a comprehensive look at the levels of radon during the test so you will know what the highest levels recorded were, not just the average level like the charcoal canisters provide. Finally, unlike charcoal canisters, the monitor is tamper-proof, and if a window is opened during the testing period, the machine will detect any environmental changes made. When the test is complete, we will send you a copy of the radon test report and test results so you will have the documentation for your records. If my house has radon, is it a correctable problem? Yes, radon gas can be vented to the exterior of the home through a process called mitigation. In short, pipes are installed under your home and they usually run up along the outside of the house to the roofline. A turbine at the top of the pipe draws the radon gas from under your home to the exterior so the radon is never concentrated inside your home. A mitigation system usually costs between $1500-$2500, depending on the size of your home.
You can click on the EPA link below for more details on radon and mitigation.
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Precision Home Inspections | 919-844-9090 |
