Radon Gas in Homes and Lung Cancer – Get a Home Inspection

Radon is a ubiquitous gas that can be found in anyone of the fifty states in the USA. This said there are some areas of the country where this potentially deadly gas is found in higher concentration levels than other areas. The highest concentration levels are typically found in the northeast part of the United States as well as in the upper Midwest area.

Fortunately Radon gas can be easily dissipated from a home and thus cause no harmful effects to the home’s occupants. Radon gas typically enters a home through its basement or concrete slab floor and slowly works its way up through the upper levels of the home. If the Radon gas stays trapped in the home, which can easily be done with today’s tightly sealed homes, it can pose a dangerous threat to the home’s occupants. However, via Radon gas mitigation systems that include simple pipe venting, and in some cases fans, the Radon gas can be eliminated from the basement and home where it is dissipated into the outside area to pose no threat to human life.

Radon gas can also be found in potable water supplies, and in particular from private wells. Radon gas is soluble in water at certain temperatures, however as it is pulled to the surface and the water temperature rises, it can degas into the home’s air supply as it pours out of sinks and faucets.

Thus, this is why a home should have both its air and water supply tested, if the home is on a private well system. Radon gas can also be eliminated from a home’s water supply by aerating it. There are various aeration systems specifically designed to remove Radon gas from water. So to conclude, if you haven’t had your home tested for Radon gas you should do so immediately. Likewise, if you are buying a new home, make sure to have it tested for Radon Gas as a contingency in the Purchase and Sales agreement. You can either bring in a professional to test your home’s air and water supply for Radon gas, or you can purchase kits from air and water testing companies and perform the tests yourself.

In either case the costs are inexpensive and well worth the piece of mind. In the event you do detect unsafe levels of Radon gas in your home, call in a Radon gas abatement company to install a venting and/or aeration system for eliminating this deadly gas from your home.

To find a home inspector in your local area check the American Home inspector Directory, which maintains a national database of home inspectors. Similarly you can find a home inspector via Renovation Expert’s national database of contractors and home inspectors. Simply fill out their free form and 3 to 4 home inspectors in your local area will contact you. There is no charge or obligation to use this service or any one of the home inspectors.