Several factors determine when a new home ought to be tested for radon. Proper comprehension of your radon system is therefore vital for you to be able to establish the best time for the performance of the test. Some houses are radon-resistant and they entail a passive radon system but this does not always suffice hence necessitating a test and subsequent measures to keep this in control. There are certain stipulated or recommended levels of radon and they should not exceed 4.0 p Ci /L as provided by the EPA. The lingering question is, when is a radon test done to ensure that these levels are well regulated without exceeding the amounts specified by the EPA? This article shall delve deep and look into this.
Inquiry
It is vital to ask relevant and pertinent questions when buying a new home. An example is whether the new home has pre-installed radon-resistant features and more so if the home has previously been tested for radon possibly immediately after construction or after it has been vacated since some contractors often do this as a way of wooing potential buyers.
This would be ideal so as to know when to schedule the next radon test if one has been done prior or determine when one ought to be done and at what regularity in case some of these radon-resistant features have been already installed. This is because they reduce the frequency of the tests.
Passive Radon System
A new home with a passive radon system needs to have a radon test performed as soon as you move in to make sure that the levels are controlled and well below the levels furnished by the EPA guidelines. If a test reveals a result that is higher than the recommended levels, installation of a fan is a fundamental prerequisite in such instances to remedy the underlying issue, which is normally from the soil as this is a naturally occurring gas. This is why people have opted to have a radon control system installed in their homes at the point of construction, as it is definitely cheaper than the mitigation measures that are undertaken afterward upon the revelation or discovery that the radon levels are indeed higher than anticipated through the conduct of this test immediately following the moving in.
Expert Opinion
Experts have varied opinions. However, in recent times, many of them have come to a uniform consensus and agreed that a home ought to be tested immediately following the occupancy even when the home already has radon-resistant features. Many people usually dread testing for the radon themselves hence opting to involve the services of a professional. This can be attributed to fears about the potential danger of this gas. However, the test kits can be readily obtained and they are quite cheap. This simplifies the whole endeavor but a radon mitigation expert can be involved once the test that you have performed reveals results that are above the aforementioned recommended level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (p Ci /L).
Closed House Conditions
The perfect timing for testing for radon can also be based on the time that the closed house conditions can be perfectly obtained. This has one implication, that during the conduct of a test, the home should not entail any distractions hence contractors and other workers in such instances should not be around at that instance. Therefore, a radon test can therefore be dependent upon securing the most opportune moment or time when such conditions can be obtained for the entire 48-hour duration of the test and the subsequent or 12 hours following the conduct of the same. This means that all openings should remain closed barring the entry and the exit only.
New Construction
The best time for a radon test in a newly constructed house is just before occupancy. It is fitting and prudent that the test be done before anyone has actually proceeded to start living in the home. This is better because if the results reveal some radon levels that are higher than normal, the builder can cater and determine how to fix the issue by possibly installing a radon mitigation system. Having the test done now simplifies the whole process since the builder can remedy such issues easily than you could have done yourself if the test was done after occupancy. This is because he already has the template and construction plans of the house thus making it such a seamless process.
As you have seen, it is important to test a house for radon before living there in the first place. This is something that you need to hire a radon expert to help you out to do. When looking for experts, be sure to go with certified ones for the best experience possible.
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