Do homes in New York have radon problems?
Radon testing by an Accredited Environmental certified radon inspector is the only reliable method of determining the level of radon gas in a home or building. After testing kits are analyzed by our laboratory, Accredited Environmental will provide you with accurate, detailed reporting of your test results.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer and is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. It’s detected at high levels in more than 10% of homes in New York State.
Radon testing should always be done when you buy a home or after building a new home. You can’t see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure.
Contact Accredited Environmental to have one of our certified radon inspectors test to help ensure the safety of your home.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil and rock beneath the basement or foundation slab of every home. Being in constant contact with the ground, a home’s basement is the main entry point for radon gas.
How does radon get in your house?
Radon enters the home by penetrating through cracks in the concrete foundation and through other cracks or penetrations in the basement floor. Without proper ventilation, radon gas levels can accumulate and lead to an unhealthy environment in the home.
How Accredited Environmental Will Test Your Home for Radon
The goal of radon testing is to accurately measure the levels of radon exposure in the home. To get the most accurate radon testing results, an Accredited Environmental certified radon professional will identify in your home where to place test kits for optimum results locating them in the areas of greatest concern.
These samples will be used to estimate the total amount of radon in your home’s air. Because radon gas rises up from the ground, the radon testing devices will be placed on the lowest level of your home that is typically occupied: the first floor in most buildings, but the basement if it’s finished to provide living space.
If positive results are obtained Accredited Environmental can inspect the home to help locate any areas of concern that might allow radon gas to seep into the home. We can also provide expert advice for mitigation if necessary. Radon mitigation systems generally use a fan to continuously pull air from the soil into a pipe and reroute it outside through a pipe that extends above the roof of the house. Any visible penetrations will be sealed to help prevent the radon gas from entering the home.
What Homes Are At Higher Risk for Radon?
Our experienced inspectors will be able to identify some of the indicators that may create a higher risk for radon exposure. Radon gases rise up through the soil and is opportunistic and will enter through any penetration in the foundation. Gaps or openings in the concrete foundation such as sump pumps, foundation floor cracks or penetrations for wires or pipes entering the basement are routes for radon penetrating into the home. The worst case scenario is a basement with only a dirt floor which will easily allow radon gas to enter into the home.
It’s important to understand that your neighbors radon results can be substantially different than yours.