FAQs About Radon
APEX Radon has been providing radon mitigation system installation and radon testing for Denver Metro area residents for nearly 15 years. As a locally owned and operated radon mitigation company, we offer solutions for every radon concern our customers have. We strive to make the radon mitigation system process as easy as possible and install our systems efficiently so they stand the test of time. Below, our experts have answered frequently asked questions we get about our services and processes. If you have more questions, please reach out to us directly.
About Radon
Radon is a cancer-causing gas that could be in your home. This radioactive gas, which is colorless and odorless, comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, and gets into the air you breathe. It is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year when present at elevated levels.
Radon is present in all 50 states. In Colorado, about half the homes have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L).
Radon exposure is estimated to be responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. As the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, breathing it for long periods of time can present a significant health risk to families all over the country.
There isn’t conclusive data on the effects of radon on children, but it’s widely known that children are more susceptible to certain types of cancer. Testing the radon levels in your home can greatly reduce that risk for your children.
The chances of you getting lung cancer from radon exposure increase depending on what the levels in your house are, how often you’re home, and whether you’re a smoker or non-smoker.
If you believe you have been exposed to elevated radon levels, you must check with your primary healthcare provider to talk about potential contact and its effects. Some of the symptoms of radon exposure include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing.
Radon & Homes
Acting as a trap for radon gas, your home’s structure allows it to build up and prevents it from dissipating into the air naturally. Radon can enter through crawl spaces, cracks in your floors and foundation, as well as the water supply.
High radon levels can happen in any home, no matter the age. Well-sealed homes, drafty homes, or homes that are with or without basements are all at risk for elevated radon levels.
Testing For Radon
The only way to know what the radon levels are in your home is to have them tested by professionals. The experts at APEX Radon recommend radon testing every two years.
We know it is crucial to make the right decision about radon testing and radon mitigation according to your needs and budget. We can give you more accurate information about pricing and quotes if you reach out to us directly.
Radon Mitigation Systems
Removing radon is a necessary investment if you have elevated levels in your home. APEX Radon installs radon mitigation systems and technology to allow it to break down and disperse safely and effectively.
Radon mitigation systems are vent pipe systems with a fan. This type of ventilation system sucks the radon from underneath your home and releases it outside. If you have a crawl space, it must be sealed with a vapor barrier to ensure that radon levels are decreased as much as possible.
We recommend installing both parts of the system to reduce radon levels as much as possible, but we will do a two-phase install first if you prefer.
A manometer is a U-shaped tube filled with either mercury or liquid used to measure the pressure difference between radon and the atmosphere. It shifts when a gas line is connected to one side of the manometer. The difference in the height of the liquid in each side is used to calculate the gas line’s pressure. The radon fan works efficiently if the liquid levels are at a slant.