A Homeowner’s Guide To Radon

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that has no smell, is invisible to the naked eye, and has no taste. It is considered one of the most life-threatening forms since it cannot be detected without proper testing. The Surgeon General and American Lung Association warn that radon gas has been proven the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

So, do you know how healthy your home is?

Radon reaches unsafe levels in an average of 50% of homes in the state of Colorado. The EPA deems levels at or above 4 pCi/L as a health risk. We believe in educating our customers and the community so they can make informed decisions to protect their families.

What exactly is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas created when uranium in the earth’s rock, soil, or water decays. Indoors, it is not naturally occurring, but a result of the way our homes, schools, and workplaces are designed, constructed, and maintained. Radon is one of the most significant environmental health risks that exist today.

If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at higher risk of developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.

How does radon get into my home?

Radon gas seeps into homes and structures from rock and soil beneath the foundation. Radon can be found in new construction and older homes. Certain areas of the region and country can produce higher levels based on the composition of the earth’s rock and soil in that area. You cannot detect radon with smell, taste, or sight, but it exists in EVERY home and structure. The only way to determine if radon levels are above the EPA’s Action Level of 4 pCi/L is to conduct a radon test.

How dangerous is radon?

When you breathe in radon gas, particles settle in your lung tissue and begin to decay. As the radon particles decay, they release bursts of energy that damage the lung tissue cells. Over time, cell damage can lead to the development of lung cancer. Scientists now estimate that between 15,000 – 22,000 deaths in the U.S. are caused by lung cancer each year.

Radon in Water

Radon can dissolve in groundwater and be released into the air of a home when used for showers, laundry, and other purposes. This problem is not widespread and is primarily an issue in homes with water supplies from private wells that use groundwater. 

The main concern is not with the drinking water, but rather with the increased amount of radon added into the indoor air in addition to the radon coming from the soil. A radon-in-air test will measure this contribution if the house is occupied during testing.

How do I get radon out of my house?

By calling us! Don’t wait to make your home a healthier, safer environment! Call (719) 332-3747 or contact us today to receive a free radon consultation today! Or if you would like to test your home and want to schedule an appointment, click Schedule Testing. We serve Colorado Springs and all of the Southern Colorado Region.

Our level of expertise allows us to offer an unusual guarantee: in virtually all cases we promise that for the (competitive) price we quote for every installation you will receive a system that is guaranteed to work. Even if that means that we have to return to modify the system, or even add a second system. Every few hundred installations, specific soil conditions surprise even us and we have to change an installation. If this were to happen to your property, you will not face additional charges – this is where the guarantee comes in.