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Radon evaluation
Interested in
testing for radon gas before you buy? Block By Block Home Inspections is
certified by the National Environmental Health Association in Radon
Measurement and Analysis. Please contact us for more information or to
schedule a radon evaluation.
Answers to frequently asked questions about radon
Are you qualified to test for
radon?
How much do you charge to test for
radon?
How do you test for radon?
What is radon?
Is radon just a problem in
the Midwest?
How do I find out if my home has unsafe
levels of radon?
How does radon get into my
home?
Can a radon problem be fixed?
Are you qualified to test for
radon?
Yes. Brian Block is certified by the National
Environmental Health Association Radon Proficiency Program (Administration
for the U.S. E.P.A. Radon Proficiency Program) and is a member of the
American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. He follows all
EPA protocols to ensure accurate measurement results.
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How much do you charge to test for
radon?
$120 - radon test conducted with a home inspection
$150 - radon test conducted without a home inspection
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How do you test for radon?
We
use continuous radon monitoring equipment, which provides accurate radon
readings and instant measurement results. No waiting one to three weeks
for lab results.
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top
What is radon?
Radon is a
cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon. And you can't smell
it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. It can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
Radon is estimated to cause 15,000-22,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
When you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact,
the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of
lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung
cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk
of lung cancer is especially high.
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Is radon just a problem in the
Midwest?
Radon can be found all over the U.S., but has a higher
density in the Midwest. Nationwide, nearly 1 out of every 15 homes is
estimated to have elevated radon levels. In Wisconsin, this statistic
increases, with 1 out of every 4 homes having elevated radon levels, while
in Minnesota 1 out of every 3 homes have elevated radon levels.
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How do I find out if my home has unsafe
levels of radon?
Testing is the only way to know if you and your
family are at risk from radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend
testing all residences below the third floor for radon.
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How does radon get into my
home?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural
decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up
through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and
other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can
build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes,
well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.
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Can a radon problem be
fixed?
Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly.
Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to
99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. We do not
install radon reduction systems; we only test for radon. If you need to
find a qualified mitigation company, we would refer you to the National
Environmental Health Association’s web page:
http://www.radongas.org/Description_of_Radon_Mitigation_
Services.html.
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Helpful links
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Radon Homepage:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
index.html
EPA Radon Publications:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
pubs/index.html
State Radon Contacts:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
contacts.html
Minnesota Department of Health Radon Page:
http://www.health.state.mn.
us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/
index.html
Minnesota and Wisconsin Radon Concentration Maps:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
zonemap/minnesota.htm
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon
/zonemap/wisconsin.htm
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National
Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP):
http://www.radongas.org
National Cancer Institute - Radon and Cancer Q &
A:
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_52.
htm
Proud member in good standing of the American Society of Home Inspectors
Licensed in Wisconsin.
License #
1692-106
Proud member of the National Environmental Health Association's Radon Proficiency Program
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Helpful home maintenance book included with each
inspection Read more>> |
Block By Block Home Inspections Inc. is professionally insured and meets or exceeds all accepted industry standards.