Radon Mitigation & Repair

What Is Radon?

Radon gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and invisible. It is created by soil and rocks containing uranium. When uranium decays naturally into thorium and radium, radon gas is produced. Because soil pressure is higher than the air pressure in your home, radon is pushed up from the soil toward the surface. When radon gas enters the air through cracks and crevices, it often collects in basements, crawl spaces, and other areas below ground level. Once inside, it seeps out of walls and ceilings and accumulates in homes.

Radon gas is commonly found in homes built before 1978 because this type of house was not adequately sealed against leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 20% of all places built before 1980 contain high radon concentrations. In addition, radon has been found in more than half of all new homes since 1990. Between 1/3 and 1/2 of all Colorado homes have radon levels more than the EPA's action level.

The EPA recommends testing if you suspect a radon problem. A trained technician will come to your premises to perform a radon test and provide you with a detailed analysis of the results. Since your basement or crawl space is commonly where radon first makes its appearance, this is where we check first. When we test homes and offices for radon exposure, we place our testing kit in the lowest building level and leave it there for 2 or 3 days. If the readings exceed four pCi/L, a radon hazard requires mitigation before it puts your health or your employees' health in danger.

Planning a remodel? Read why to test for radon before you remodel, and get the basics in Radon in Colorado Homes: What Western Slope Residents Need to Know.

The main risk posed by radon is cancer, as experts linked radon gas to an increased risk of lung cancer. The EPA estimates that approximately 1 out of 10 people will develop lung cancer due to exposure to radon gas. People who live near uranium mines or other areas where radium-containing materials were used historically face a higher risk of contracting this disease.

Radon is found by testing the air in your home with a short-term or long-term radon test. A short-term test measures radon levels over a few days. A long-term test measures them over 90 days or more and gives a better picture of your year-round average.

How You Know

Radon Testing

Radon testing is the process used to measure the concentration of radon gas in buildings. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that's colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without specialized equipment. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon gas can be harmful and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

There are two main types of radon tests: short-term and long-term tests.

Short-Term Tests

Short-term tests last between 2 and 90 days, depending on the device used. They provide a quick way to screen a home for radon levels and are typically used when immediate results are needed, such as during a real estate transaction. Short-term tests include charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, continuous monitors, and liquid scintillation detectors.

Long-Term Tests

Long-term tests last more than 90 days and provide a more accurate representation of the average radon level in a home, as radon levels can fluctuate daily and seasonally. Long-term tests include alpha track and electret detectors.

During the Testing Period

During the testing period, we place the devices in the lowest lived-in level of the home, typically the basement, where radon levels are usually highest. All windows and outside doors should be kept closed as much as possible during the test, except for regular entry and exit.

Test Results

Once the test is complete, the device goes to a lab for analysis, and we receive a report with the radon levels expressed in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon levels if the result is 4 pCi/L or higher.

Radon Test Positive

Radon Mitigation

There are many professional ways for radon abatement and mitigation. At Valley Restoration, our two main mitigation systems are the "slab system" and the "crawl space system."

Our Process

How Valley Restoration Handles Radon

Western Colorado is highly susceptible to radon gas exposures within homes and local businesses. For this reason, Montrose area residents need to measure their home's radon levels and, if necessary, install a radon mitigation system to reduce exposure. These are all things that Valley Restoration can help with as needed.

If you suspect your home has unsafe levels of radon gas, we will evaluate the situation and provide the best abatement and mitigation plan. We will first test your home radon levels and determine what is happening. Then, we will provide a custom radon mitigation solution based on your property using one of the methods outlined above.

Regardless of how your home or business property is built, Valley Restoration and Construction can create a custom radon mitigation system to reduce exposure to this deadly gas. Call us today to see how we can help keep you and your family safe and healthy.

FAQs

Common Radon Mitigation Questions