Radon Testing

Atlanta Superior Home Inspections can conduct radon testing in your home. This type of testing is essential to protect the health of you and your family. Most populated areas have elevated radon levels, and radon can be migrated if it is in your home. It would be best if you had professional testing completed before you purchase a home so that you can incorporate the cost of migration of radon into the agreement of purchase and sale.

What is Radon?

Radon cannot be detected with human senses because it is odorless and colorless. This gas occurs naturally in particular rock and soil and forms when radioactive materials within rock start to decay. Radon does not react chemically with many materials, but it can move around as a gas freely. All radon gas that is found in the atmosphere originates from the earth.

The air pressure found inside a home is often lower than the pressure located in the soil surrounding your home’s foundation. The difference in pressure causes your home to act like a vacuum, which draws radon gas through cracks and other openings in your foundation. This radon gas becomes trapped inside of your home, and it starts to build up. You might wonder if you can prevent radon from getting into your home by sealing cracks that you find in your foundation. The simple answer is no because radon gas can move through concrete, whether it is cracked or not. If larger areas are sealed, it can assist with radon migration work, but sealing will not reduce radon levels on its own.

What Are the Risks of Radon Exposure?

If you have prolonged exposure to radon, it can cause lung cancer. Atlanta Superior Home Inspections can assist by conducting testing in a home to determine if there are radon issues. If the testing finding is that radon levels on the first floor or the basement are excessive, then steps should be taken to gain control of those levels of the dangerous gas. Levels of radon in the air are measured as pCi/L or picocuries per liter of air. The average for these levels nationally is 1.3 pCi/L, and a professional should be hired to take care of radon migration if the concentrations are over 4.0 pCi/L.

Atlanta Superior Home Inspections has been conducting radon inspections for decades and understands what needs to be done if these radon levels are discovered. There are dangerous radon levels in many areas of the country, and it is worth your peace of mind to have this testing completed.

How Are These Tests Conducted?

Atlanta Superior Home Inspections offers radon testing on a professional level that meets or exceeds the EPA guidelines. The equipment used by our professionals will monitor continuous electronic radon and show the best results after the testing period is completed. Tests take between 2 and 7 days if conducted under “closed home conditions,” where there is a normal exit and entry with no windows or doors left open. Tests are run for as long as possible with a minimum of 2 days when real estate transactions are conducted. During the inspection, you can request an instant report or hourly readings throughout the testing period. If closed home conditions are not maintained, it could cause invalid test results or slow down any real estate transaction intended to be completed.

Can you Test for Radon on Your own?

Yes, you can test for radon yourself. When you follow the EPA guidelines and testing instructions, you can periodically test your home for radon. This should be a part of your regular maintenance schedule. Some home improvement stores sell radon test kits, and although they are not professional grade, they can give you an idea of the radon levels that can be found in your home. There may be lab fees and a processing time associated with these test kits. Atlanta Superior Home Inspections can take care of these inspections for you through our certified radon testing professionals. Your home can be evaluated by a professional radon tester, which will also improve the credibility required for a real estate transaction.