There are many environmental hazards that people need to be aware of. One of the most challenging to understand is radon. This odorless and colorless gas occurs naturally in many parts of the country. It is emitted from rocks under the ground and released into the atmosphere. Under normal circumstances this is not a problem. However, if significant accumulations in a home it is important to call for the help of radon services right away.
Families with young children should be particularly aware of the dangers of this natural gas. It often accumulates in basements and anyone who plans to finish their basement as additional living areas or as a playroom should have a test done. The test is very affordable and easy to perform. Usually a licensed technician brings a specially designed canister to the property. This is then left in an out of the way spot for a few days. The technician then retrieves the canister and reads the gas levels.
Should a high reading be reported there are a number of step that can be taken. The correct type of remediation really depends on the type of home. Single family homes, condominiums and high rise buildings are all treated in different ways. It is important to have a meeting with an experienced technician to determine the extent of the problem and decide on the best course of action.
In most cases a mechanical ventilation system needs to be installed. This will remove air from the basement and allow any gas build up to be safely removed. The most basis systems are very effective and quite cost efficient. As the air is pumped out, clean fresh outside air is pumped in, however this can lead to additional problems with moisture.
Test kits are now also available in many hardware stores. They are quite reasonably priced and give accurate readings. By following the simple instructions the home owner can get a pretty good idea of how high the gas levels are in their home. Even if the reading is low, the test should be repeated every six month to a year as levels can change over time.
Even those who live in newly constructed high rise buildings are still in danger from radon gas. It is often found in common building materials, such as concrete and dry wall. The mitigation process for these buildings is quite different from that used in single family homes. It can be more complex and costly. In these cases the home owners association may need to be involved to work out a collective solution that works for everyone.
Before hiring a contractor to install a system it is very important to ensure that they have all the necessary experience and also state certification. Each state has its own set of requirements and the home owner or renter should be very aware that they and their families health can depend on working with the right person.
Before hiring any radon services it is important to check the credentials of the company. They should have many years experience in the business and offer prompt and courteous service.
Families with young children should be particularly aware of the dangers of this natural gas. It often accumulates in basements and anyone who plans to finish their basement as additional living areas or as a playroom should have a test done. The test is very affordable and easy to perform. Usually a licensed technician brings a specially designed canister to the property. This is then left in an out of the way spot for a few days. The technician then retrieves the canister and reads the gas levels.
Should a high reading be reported there are a number of step that can be taken. The correct type of remediation really depends on the type of home. Single family homes, condominiums and high rise buildings are all treated in different ways. It is important to have a meeting with an experienced technician to determine the extent of the problem and decide on the best course of action.
In most cases a mechanical ventilation system needs to be installed. This will remove air from the basement and allow any gas build up to be safely removed. The most basis systems are very effective and quite cost efficient. As the air is pumped out, clean fresh outside air is pumped in, however this can lead to additional problems with moisture.
Test kits are now also available in many hardware stores. They are quite reasonably priced and give accurate readings. By following the simple instructions the home owner can get a pretty good idea of how high the gas levels are in their home. Even if the reading is low, the test should be repeated every six month to a year as levels can change over time.
Even those who live in newly constructed high rise buildings are still in danger from radon gas. It is often found in common building materials, such as concrete and dry wall. The mitigation process for these buildings is quite different from that used in single family homes. It can be more complex and costly. In these cases the home owners association may need to be involved to work out a collective solution that works for everyone.
Before hiring a contractor to install a system it is very important to ensure that they have all the necessary experience and also state certification. Each state has its own set of requirements and the home owner or renter should be very aware that they and their families health can depend on working with the right person.
Before hiring any radon services it is important to check the credentials of the company. They should have many years experience in the business and offer prompt and courteous service.
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