Have you heard the nickname given to radon gas? It is often called the silent killer. Wondering why it was given such a nickname? Lets dive into what radon gas is and what you really need to know. How does Radon enter my home?
What Is Radon Gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed when uranium in soil and rock decays. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless and can be found in ANY soil. There is no way to test soil to see if it contains radon as it is a gas that is released into the air. Why is radon so scary?
Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can actually damage the cells of our lungs. Leading to lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and actually accounts for 21,000 deaths per year. You can see why this is something we want to keep out of our homes.
How Does Radon Enter A Home?
Radon can be very sneaky. This radioactive gas can enter your home through the foundation. Any small crack, around construction joints, plumbing, sump pups and even the tiniest pores in the foundation.
When hearing this, your first instinct may be to start sealing cracks and construction joints. However, while this may help keep radon levels lower, because it can enter through the pores, if the soil your home is built on has high levels of radon, there is a high likely hood that it will enter your home.
What Can Be Done to Protect Your Home?
The only way to determine if a home has radon, is through specialized testing. If high levels are found, a radon mitigation system may need to be installed. This affordable solution can be installed in one day and can drastically reduce the radon levels in your home.
Fill out the form on this page or call the experts at Utah Radon Services to start with testing or learn more about radon mitigation.