Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US after cigarette smoking. Yet, many people do not consider radon as a threat and often ignore safety norms. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas, produced due to the breakdown of uranium. Radon can seep into the house through cracked floors, foundation, construction joints, walls, and other cavities and gaps. As the gas gets trapped in the building, the levels will continue to rise, potentially exposing the occupants to radon. In NJ, services like RAdata, LLC offer comprehensive radon mitigation at affordable prices.
Radon and your health
When ingested/inhaled, radon decays into radioactive particles, which can eventually get trapped in the lungs. This can cause massive lung damage, potentially leading to lung cancer. Since there are no immediate health symptoms, it is almost impossible to understand the effects of radon on someone’s body right away. The only way to know is to do a radon test at home, and these tests are fairly affordable and easy. If the level of radon is over 4 pCi/L., one must take action immediately. Ideally, homeowners should consider radon testing periodically, at least once in two years.
How to fix a radon problem?
Since radon is a radioactive gas, it goes without saying that there are no DIY methods. Radon mitigation is a job for the experts, who can rely on a bunch of methods to counter the problem. The simplest and often the most effective option is to seal foundation gaps and cavities, to prevent the gas from getting trapped inside the house.
Another option is to install an active radon mitigation system, which creates a pipe from the soil to the roof. With the help of an electric vent fan, radon produced in the soil can be vented outside the building. These are also known as “sub-slab depressurization systems”. Such a radon mitigation system is easy to maintain and install and will not impact the exterior aesthetics of the property.
What’s the cost of radon mitigation?
It depends on the approach. You may have to pay more if a standard sealing process is coupled with a sub-slab-depressurization system, as this is a permanent solution. The good news is most local services will be happy to offer radon mitigation estimates for free. You can look at a company’s credentials and work profile to decide what works best for your budget.
Do not delay in calling for radon testing at home.