Why radon testing is important for your central Kansas home
Radon is a dangerous gas that could be lurking in your home without your knowledge. It has been blamed for 20,000 yearly deaths from lung cancer, and is currently the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. How can you be sure that your family isn't at risk? Our certified radon specialists can tell you if the radon levels in your home are dangerous.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the earth. As elements like uranium and radium break down in the rock and soil beneath your house, they release radon gas.
Reminder for anyone struggling to recall high school chemistry class: uranium and radium are radioactive. The same is true for radon gas, which can cause lung cancer — in fact, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon isn’t a problem outdoors, because it quickly dissipates into the atmosphere, leaving only minuscule amounts in the air you breathe. But if your house is tightly sealed — as many modern homes are, thanks to high-quality insulation and efficient air sealing — you could be at risk. That’s because radon can become trapped inside and build up to unsafe levels.
Because radon is odorless and invisible, the only way to know if you have a problem is to conduct a radon test. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend checking the radon level in your home for safety.
What is a radon test?
A radon test kit collects radon gas or radioactive particles so they can be measured. This sample is used to estimate the total amount of radon in your home’s air. Because radon gas rises up from the ground, your radon testing device should be placed on the lowest level of your home that is typically occupied: the first floor in most buildings, but the basement if it’s finished to provide living space.
Though a hardware store kit is convenient, it’s not the most accurate or complete measure of radon in your home. These kits tend to be small, and their placement can determine what type of reading you get. Hiring a professional will help ensure that you get accurate results.
Elevated Region:
Central Kansas, including all of Comfort Pro’s service area in Barton, Pawnee, Ellsworth and Russell counties, are in an elevated radon risk region. The average radon level in our region is more than three times the national average.
Radon mitigation services
If your house tests positive for elevated radon levels, the Pros at Comfort Pro are here to help. We are certified in testing and radon mitigation – also known as radon abatement.
Radon mitigation is a system that reduces radon levels in your home. While it’s not possible to eliminate radon entirely, a radon mitigation system helps to expel the gas from your home to keep concentrations low. Often, the system consists of a pipe that is sunk through your basement floor and into the soil beneath your house. The pipe may continue upward through your home to an exit point on the roof, or it may exit the basement and continue upwards along the outside of the house.
Attached to the pipe is an exhaust fan that draws air from under the ground, through the pipe, and out the other end. The idea is that any radon gas being released underground will be sucked out of the home through the pipe and allowed to safely dissipate in the air outdoors instead of becoming trapped in your living space.
Using a professional for radon services
Whether you want a detailed test immediately or you need to follow up on a concerning DIY kit result, Comfort Pro is a certified radon specialist here to help.
Comfort Pro is a certified radon testing and mitigation provider in Central Kansas. We serve all of Central Kansas for your plumbing, heating and air quality needs. Comfort Pro has offices in Larned, Russell and Great Bend. Call to schedule your radon test today – 1-800-937-3030
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