Great Home Improvement Tips

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Over recent years the public has become increasingly aware of Radon Gas. New laws and effective promoting from state and federal government programs have led to increased testing and control. For those that may not have heard of Radon yet it is a colorless and odorless gas that is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer and the first among non smokers.

To test for Radon you have a couple of paths that you can take. The first is a simple at home test kit that should be available from a local state or borough agency or the internet. Most of these kits come with clear and concise directions but lets take a look at the basic setup and use. First off you will need to pick a period of time that will have low winds and clear weather for several days. Then before beginning the test you need to close all windows and doors for a minimum of twelve hours and make sure that only recirculated air is used in air conditioners and heating systems. Small ventilation will not be a problem if used for short periods. Once you have met that criteria just open the kit and place it in the lowest used level of the house such as your basement. Then make sure its left alone for the time specified in the instructions and reseal it when you are done. The last step is to send it off to a testing company and wait for your results.

Once you receive your results you can decide whether or not you wish to have long term testing done. Generally if you receive a test result that is “negative” from your in home self test you will want to have a professional conduct another. They will begin by doing many of the same steps that you started with in your test. The major difference with a long term professional test is that it will take at least ninety days and they use sophisticated detectors. The benefit with this type of test is that you will get a much clearer picture of what your levels are year round rather then just for the small frame of time that you had tested.

Now that you have tested for Radon lets look at how to get rid of it. It really is a basic process that involves sealing and then venting the gas to the outside of your home. You can find a qualified contractor from the same agency that you received your short term kit from and get a quote on initial costs. They will have to seal all of the cracks in your wall and floors and then install a vent pipe under the basement or lower level floor that will vent to the roof. This will be connected to a series of vents that have been placed in the floor and possibly walls and hooked up to a venting pump. All of this equipment is of relatively low cost but the labor can become quite expensive. Once they have installed the vent system make sure that you have your home tested once more to be sure that the problem is corrected. This could be one of the best home improvements you have ever done!