Did you know that Swift Plumbing & Heating has been certified to measure and mitigate Radon gas since 2017? During these years, we have helped multiple customers get the Radon levels in their homes back down to manageable levels.
If you think you may have Radon in your home, give us a call, and our Certified Radon Professional will be happy to answer all your questions.
What is Radon Gas?
Radon gas is a radioactive, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium in the soil.
How does Radon get into my home?
Some of the ways Radon gas can get into your home are through cracks in your foundation, around pipes, or through drains. Once Radon enters your home it can be hard for it to escape due to our homes being well sealed and insulated.
Is Radon Gas harmful?
Yes! Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. When you live in a house with a high Radon level, you are constantly breathing in ionizing radiation, which causes damage to the DNA in the lung tissue, leading to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Statistics have shown that 1 in 20 non-smokers will die from lung cancer caused by a lifetime of high Radon exposure, and 1 in 3 smokers will die from lung cancer if they live in a home with increased Radon levels. Being a smoker and living in a home with a high level of Radon significantly increases your chances of developing lung cancer, compared to those who smoke and live in homes with a manageable level of Radon.
1 in 20 non-smokers will die from lung cancer caused by a lifetime of high Radon exposure
1 in 3 smokers will die from lung cancer if they live in a home with increased Radon levels
1 in 10 smokers who live in homes with a manageable Radon level will die from lung cancer
How do I test for Radon?
There are a few different ways that Radon can be tested in a home. Customers can purchase a single use test kit, which is then placed in the home for at least three months. Once a minimum of three months have passed, the test is then sent to a lab to obtain the results.
Another way to test the Radon level of your home is to purchase a Digital Radon Monitor. By using a Digital Radon Monitor you can see the short term and long term levels of Radon in your home. It is recommended that you still leave the Digital Radon Monitor in your home for at least three months to obtain the most accurate result. If neither of those options work for the customer, our certified Radon Professional would be happy to come out to your home or workspace and test the level of Radon for you.
How often should I test for Radon?
If your levels are between 100 & 199, you should consider testing your home annually. If your levels are 99 and below, you should consider retesting every five years to ensure that the Radon level in your home stays at a manageable level. It is recommended that after any major renovations to your home or any changes to your heating or ventilation system, that you get your home tested again for Radon during the winter months.
How do I know where to place the Radon tests?
The single use test kit includes everything you will need to be able to test for radon in your home. The kit includes detailed instructions on how to use the test kit and the best place to put the device when testing. Our Certified Radon Professional will also be able to help you determine where the best place in your home is to test for Radon .