Scheduling for radon mitigation is one of the best investments you could make to limit your exposure to the serious health effects of radon. Radon needs to be removed correctly to make it safe for you and your family. Radon mitigation professionals are well-trained and have special equipment that helps detect radon levels even after remediation.
This process could take a shorter or longer time based on several factors. This article discusses factors that determine how long it takes to remove radon from your home and other necessary precautions to keep your family safe from radon.
Determining Factors For Radon Removal
- Type of Test Used
You can test for radon in your house in several ways since there is no type of test that is the same for every house. Generally, you have the option to choose between using a DIY kit or hiring professionals who come with their advanced testing equipment. These two options of radon tests come with different time requirements and could affect how quickly you would want to get rid of radon gas from your home. If you are majorly concerned about the testing speed, then the short-term DIY tests only need to be left inside your home for a few days to get the results. However, long-term tests could take months to complete as the average amounts of radon gas all year round. Although short-term results could give faster results when analyzing radon levels in your home, it also sacrifices some level of accuracy and seasonal insights that can be achieved by long-term tests.
- Source of Radon
The next step will be to identify the actual source of radon once the test results show levels that warrant removal. The Environmental Protection Agency found out that radon could be present in well water and the soil underneath your foundation. The amounts of radon in well water can get into your home through the shower where it is released as gas to the surrounding environment. However, the one that poses a greater risk is the radon found in the soil beneath your home. EPA recommends using a professional mitigation company to test radon entry through the soil. The right technique of radon removal significantly depends on the proper identification of the source. Although this extra testing phase is important, it could add some extra time to the entire process of radon removal.
- The Recommended Mitigation Technique
Generally, most radon removal systems are often installed in a day while robust mitigation systems may take longer than expected based on other factors. Some additional steps and features could lengthen this process depending on the size and layout of your home, as well as the recommended mitigation technique. Some of these factors include the creation of multiple suction points, installation of multiple pumps or fans, and installation of a crawl space barrier.
Temporary Precautions to Protect Your Home from Radon
Most mitigation techniques often ensure that all gaps and cracks in the foundation are properly sealed to ensure no radon gas escapes from beneath. Carrying out major structural changes such as transforming an unused basement into an ideal, finished living space could alter the present levels of radon gas in your home. It is important to test once more even if you had installed a radon mitigation system before the renovation.
Another way to reduce the levels of radon in your home after radon mitigation is through proper ventilation. It is necessary to ventilate the lower levels of your house such as the basement, crawlspace, and living area if you have a slab foundation. When radon rises from the ground, it will dissipate into the air and get outside your home through open windows. Although this may not be a long-term solution, it could be useful when you are yet to install a proper radon mitigation system. The cost of installing a mitigation system may vary depending on your home’s foundation, size, design, local climate, and construction materials.
Getting rid of radon from your home may take between a few days to several months depending on the type of test used, source of radon, and the recommended mitigation technique. While you are still searching for a proper remediation system for your home, you can reduce radon concentration levels by sealing off cracks in the foundation and ventilating your home. Since radon removal can be such an involving procedure, it is important to seek help from a reputable mitigation professional to ensure it is done correctly.
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