You check the amount of radon in your house by obtaining a test kit or by hiring an expert to test it. Whichever method you choose, you might wonder if it is safe for you to stay in your house during radon testing? We have researched this matter and discovered the answers for this.
Radon is naturally present everywhere, making it more concerning because it contributes to health hazards such as lung cancer. The best way to determine the amount of radon present in your home is through radon testing. You can stay at your house during a radon test.
You and your family can avoid a significant risk of lung cancer by having your house tested for radon. This post will tackle whether it is safe to stay in your place during a radon test, the preventive measures before radon testing, and how to use a radon test kit. To find out more about radon testing, continue reading.
Is It Safe To Stay At Home During A Radon Test?
People can be exposed to radon mainly by breathing radon in air that enters buildings and homes through cracks and crevices. It is one natural radiation source that can be dangerous and pose health hazards. Even the smallest radon dosage is not safe because it is a high-level carcinogen.
Lung cancer is one of the effects of inhaling radon at high indoor concentrations. Long-term exposure can significantly raise the hazards, depending on the typical indoor radon level and whether or not the house occupants are also smokers.
Exposure to radon and cigarette smoke together could be more dangerous than either substance alone. It's crucial to stop smoking if you know you are exposed to high levels of radon as well. It will not just infiltrate your home's air but also your water supply if you don't contain it.
You must consider radon testing for your home. A crucial precaution to take is home testing, mainly if you reside in an area with greater radon levels.
Testing is quick and straightforward, and it won't take more than a few minutes of your time. There's also no harm in staying in your house while doing the radon test.
What Should You Do Before A Radon Test?
Most people have serious health concerns about radon, so it's crucial to follow these precautions before implementing the radon test:
1. Find an Appropriate Location for the Test
The basement or crawl space typically has the greatest radon levels. So, this is where you should place the test kit. Position the test kit in a calm area away from potential noise.
It is ideal for placing above the table three to four feet from the ground. Ensure that the device is away from vents, humidity, and heat. Stay away from utilizing a fireplace or a heating stove unless they are your primary heat source.
2. Close the Entire House
Close the entire house before starting the radon test. The outside air does not contaminate the radon trapped inside your home when a place is blocked off.
It is ideal to close the house 12 hours before the test, and it must remain closed the entire time to equalize the air pressures within and outside the home.
This includes all windows, doors, and any ventilation that will release air to the house's exterior. Cover any air vents that allow air to blow onto the testing equipment directly. Radon concentrations could be lower than anticipated if you open any entries of air.
Only open the entry and exit doors when necessary to avoid generating distorted results. Keeping the house closed in the spring or during hot summer days can be challenging, but you must fight the impulse to do so.
3. Avoid Touching the Test Kit
Remember that you must not touch the device during the test.
4. Turn Off the Fans
As much as possible, avoid turning on the fans in the house. Any equipment that moves air must be turned off, such as dehumidifiers and filters. You shouldn't also use aerosols and air fresheners in the testing area.
How To Use A Radon Test Kit?
It's essential to remember that all residences could be at risk for high radon levels, regardless of age or location. As a result, it is necessary to test every home because it is impossible to predict whether or not it might contain excessive levels.
Radon test kits are affordable and straightforward to use. However, a DIY radon testing kit forces you to follow the necessary steps to get the most accurate result possible.
Radon tests come in two varieties: short-term radon kits, quick-to-complete, and long-term radon detectors, which test continuously for three to twelve months.
A short-term radon test is usually used in a home. It is a quick way to screen for radon in a home. The closed-house condition supports the measurement of the maximum radon using a short-term radon test kit.
When it comes to radon gas testing, you have two choices: you may do it yourself at home using a kit, or you can hire a respected company. If you feel comfortable conducting the test yourself, contacting a professional radon tester is unnecessary because these testing kits are simple.
Here are the following steps:
- 1. Find a Location: Decide where to place your radon test.
- Take Out the Testing Kit: Take out your radon test kit from its plastic. Do not remove any labels indicated there.
- Let it Sit: You must keep it undisturbed for a minimum of 48 hours. The product instructions will specify how much testing time is required.
- Place it on a Ziploc Bag: After the testing time, remove the radon test kit from its location and place it in a Ziploc bag.
- Send the Apparatus To The Lab: Fill out the results on the sheet included in your test kit. Include the exact starting date and the end date of the test.
After completing your testing, you must send your samples to a facility for analysis. This facility will supply your radon test results. If you discover the presence of radon, it is strongly advisable that you use a qualified company to test your home.
Click here to see this radon test kit on Amazon.
How Frequently Should I Test My Home For Radon?
Radon is always present in the air near us. Being exposed to this cancer-causing gas poses a severe risk to one's health. Thus, every home must routinely check the radon levels in their house, with follow-up tests required every two years.
How To Reduce Radon?
Radon is produced from the ground, mainly from rocks and soil. This a colorless and odorless gas. Too much of it can accumulate inside your home.
You can reduce radon levels within a home by using passive mitigation techniques. You can take action to lessen the radon levels in your house if they are high.
You can use air purifiers to reduce the risk of radon gas. Its activated carbon filters can trap radon gas and particles, protecting you from its harmful effects.
You could also increase your under-floor ventilation. Installing a ventilation system in the basement can prevent radon from seeping into living spaces.
The issue arises when radon gas seeps into a house through cracks or openings from below. If your home has high radon levels, immediately make repairs.
It is also possible for radon to reach your home through your water supply. If the levels are high, you can treat your water supply to remove radon before it gets into your house. You may reach your provider if you have radon concerns and a public water system provides your water.
In Closing
You cannot completely avoid radon because it is a component of our natural environment. But the following tactics, as mentioned above, can help lessen it.
When conducting the radon test, it is strongly advisable to close all windows. This is because radon combines with the air in the room. You risk getting distorted results from a considerably lower radon concentration level.
Following the recommended procedures and radon testing dos and don'ts are crucial to obtain reliable findings. We hope you got all the information provided about the radon test. Before you go, you may want to visit these other interesting posts of ours:
How To Vent Radon Gas From Basement