Radon gas is a gas that originates from the ground and is formed though natural processes in homes. Various substances decompose through radioactivity to form the gas. After being produced underground, the gas gets into homes through the foundation or other areas. In the long run, when the gas reaches high concentration levels, it can be harmful to human health. Inhaling the gas for extended periods of time can cause cancer. When in search of Radon test kit Canada should be given priority.
There are areas in the US where the occurrence of this gas is higher than in others. As a homeowner, it is important for one to know if their home is located in areas where radon is abundant. Also, the concentration of the gas seems to vary with the season of the year. During certain seasons, the gas can occur in really high concentrations than in others.
When one suspects that radon may be present in their home, it is important to take swift steps to mitigate and remove it. There are several different steps that one can take and one of them involves buying and installing a radon mitigation system. A mitigation system is used to reduce the levels of the gas inside the home. Once the system is installed, it continuously removes the gas from the home to levels that are tolerable.
The EPA has set action level to act as a guideline. An action level refers to the lowest concentration of the gas which when reached, remediation action should be taken. This level is usually 4 pCi/L. The pCi/L refers to amount of picocuries of gas per one liter of air in the home. A high quality system is capable of reducing the levels of the gas to lower than 2 pCi/L.
The type of foundation the home is made on will determine the kind of mitigation system to be used. One should hire an expert in radon gas to get advice on purchasing and installing the mitigation system. The expert will perform tests on the system to make sure it works properly before leaving.
How these systems function is quite simple. Among the many parts of the mitigation system is the fan which extracts air from the ground and lets it out through a pipe installed in the house. The air is led out through the roof to make sure that it does not get back into the home.
Based on several factors, the pipe that extracts air should be located either outside or inside the home. The pipe should not be anywhere near home openings like the doors and windows. In addition, measures have to be taken to cover up any openings and cracks found in the foundation through which the gas may penetrate into the home.
The purpose of sealing is also to make the mitigation more effective. When installed well, the system can stay in place for years. However, it is advisable to inspect and ensure that it is working properly a few times in a year.
There are areas in the US where the occurrence of this gas is higher than in others. As a homeowner, it is important for one to know if their home is located in areas where radon is abundant. Also, the concentration of the gas seems to vary with the season of the year. During certain seasons, the gas can occur in really high concentrations than in others.
When one suspects that radon may be present in their home, it is important to take swift steps to mitigate and remove it. There are several different steps that one can take and one of them involves buying and installing a radon mitigation system. A mitigation system is used to reduce the levels of the gas inside the home. Once the system is installed, it continuously removes the gas from the home to levels that are tolerable.
The EPA has set action level to act as a guideline. An action level refers to the lowest concentration of the gas which when reached, remediation action should be taken. This level is usually 4 pCi/L. The pCi/L refers to amount of picocuries of gas per one liter of air in the home. A high quality system is capable of reducing the levels of the gas to lower than 2 pCi/L.
The type of foundation the home is made on will determine the kind of mitigation system to be used. One should hire an expert in radon gas to get advice on purchasing and installing the mitigation system. The expert will perform tests on the system to make sure it works properly before leaving.
How these systems function is quite simple. Among the many parts of the mitigation system is the fan which extracts air from the ground and lets it out through a pipe installed in the house. The air is led out through the roof to make sure that it does not get back into the home.
Based on several factors, the pipe that extracts air should be located either outside or inside the home. The pipe should not be anywhere near home openings like the doors and windows. In addition, measures have to be taken to cover up any openings and cracks found in the foundation through which the gas may penetrate into the home.
The purpose of sealing is also to make the mitigation more effective. When installed well, the system can stay in place for years. However, it is advisable to inspect and ensure that it is working properly a few times in a year.
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