Radon Testing Services in CT
Radon pollution is a major problem for the people of CT. Anchor Home Inspection, LLC, along with many other services, provides Radon Testing services in CT. The inspectors use advanced equipment to detect the colorless and odorless radioactive gas. Radon, along with causing several diseases, is a major cause of lung cancer. We make sure that your potential home is radon-free. If the test results come out to be in drastic levels of radon, measures to mitigate radon will be recommended.
Radon, a Harmful Element
Radon, a radioactive noble element, remains colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It forms as part of the decay chain of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. While smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer due to carbon monoxide production, radon also contributes to lung cancer, though with a distinct time frame. Unlike the immediate effects of smoking, radon exposure can go unnoticed for years, gradually leading to serious health issues.
The Entry of Radon Into Your Home
Radon gas has a tendency to flow towards areas with low atmospheric pressure, even from a considerable distance. Inside a house, low atmospheric pressure often exists due to the operation of combustion appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces, as well as exhaust fans and vents, all of which reduce indoor air pressure. The heated air inside the house rises, creating lower air pressure on the lower floors, further intensified by strong winds. These conditions can create a vacuum, allowing radon gas to
move upwards and eventually enter the house from the porous gravel layer surrounding the house.
Surprisingly, even though most houses have a concrete foundation, which may seem very hard, concrete is porous and allows fluid substances to pass through, including radon gas. As a result, the low air p
ressure and negative vacuum draw radon gas into the house through tiny cracks and crevices present in the cemented floor. In modern households, radon gas that enters through the floor tends to accumulate in the basement and lower areas of the house, partly due to the airtight construction of modern buildings. Soil gas infiltration can account for a significant portion of the total “fresh air” entering homes, ranging from less than 1% to over 20%.
Various factors contribute to the diffusion of radon gas atoms inside a house, such as temperature changes resulting from the use of air conditioners and natural air movement that distributes radon at
oms throughout the interior spaces of a house.
Why is radon testing important?
Radon, a colorless, odorless, and transparent gas, can silently exist around us, going undetected while we unknowingly breathe in contaminated air. This gradual exposure poses a serious risk of developing fatal diseases like lung cancer. For smokers, the chances of getting lung cancer are already high, and living in an environment with high radon levels adds to the problem.
In the United States, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, claiming about 21,000 lives annually. Its lethality underscores the importance of getting radon testing done to protect your family’s future. Radon testing takes approximately 48 hours, providing crucial information to ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones.
What if my results are high?
A radon level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher is considered dangerously high. If radon levels exceed this threshold, it is essential to install a radon remediation method. There are various techniques available to reduce radon gas concentration within the house, but one of the most effective methods is a vent pipe system with a fan. This system efficiently extracts radon gas from beneath or lower levels of the house and vents it outside. Known as a soil suction radon reduction system, it offers an effective solution without requiring major changes to your home.
We also offer several additional home inspection services:
At Anchor Home Inspection, LLC, we rely on our core values in order to provide our clients with consistently superior home inspection services.
