High Radon Levels Are Common In Southeast WisconsinCertified radon testing is available with every home inspection. What is radon? Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon is inert, odorless, and colorless. Radon is found in the soil and enters homes through the foundation of a home. Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater.
It is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and occurs from breathing high concentrations of radon gas into the lungs over time. Radon only affects the lungs and only causes damage when breathed into the lungs. People who smoke are more at risk of radon and the effects of lung cancer. The amount of exposure and the time of exposure to radon gas has an effect on the possibility of health issues. Radon levels can vary from house to house and even houses in the same neighborhood can have dramatically different levels of radon. New homes and older homes can have high levels, age of the home is not a determining factor. Radon enters the home from the soil through the foundation and other openings into a house. Radon is a problem in southeastern Wisconsin, which tends to have much higher rates of radon levels. The only way to know if you have high radon levels is to have your house tested. Radon can be easily tested using a 48 hour continuous radon monitor test. If high levels are found it be mitigated to reduce or minimize the concentrations of radon in a house. |
We Provide National Radon Proficiency Program NRPP Certified Radon Testing
We are certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program NRPP to provide residential radon testing. We are one of the few home inspectors in Wisconsin that offers NRPP certified radon testing. The State of Wisconsin does not require licensing or certification to conduct radon testing, however we are certified nationally and use state of the art Sun Nuclear continuous radon monitors. Our tests are completed in 48 hours and unlike charcoal tests you get an hour by hour reading of the radon level in your home. Our radon monitors also prevent tampering and movement to ensure your test is accurate.
How Does Radon Enters Your Home?
Radon can enter a home a number of ways. The most common is in the basement through cracks, gaps, or holes in a foundation wall. It does not take a large crack for radon to enter through the foundation. Radon can also enter through an unsealed sump pump pit, which allows radon gas to easily enter the basement space. Homes without foundations can also have high radon. Radon can enter a home on a slab foundation through a crack or gap int he slab foundation. Another common method of entry for radon is through the water. Radon can enter a home through the water running in your home. This means you could be on the 2nd floor taking a shower and have radon coming through your shower head. While not as common as entering through the basement it can happen and can contribute to overall house radon levels.
Dairyland Home Inspection LLC
6559 Spring Meadow Lane
Mount Pleasant, WI 53406
(262) 744-4053
Copyright 2019 Dairyland Home Inspection LLC