Is It Safe To Be In A House During A Radon Test?

You can test the amount of radon in your home using a test kit or by hiring a professional. Whichever method you choose, you may wonder if staying in your home during radon testing is safe. We investigated the situation and discovered the answers.

Radon is found naturally everywhere, which makes it more concerning because it contributes to health risks such as lung cancer. Radon testing is the most accurate way to determine the amount of radon in your home. You are permitted to remain in your home during a radon test.

By having your home tested for radon, you and your family can avoid a significant risk of lung cancer. This post will discuss whether it is safe to stay at home during a radon test, precautions to take before radon testing, and how to use a radon test kit. Continue reading to learn more about radon testing.

Is It Safe To Remain At Home During A Radon Test?

Radon exposure occurs primarily through breathing radon in air that enters buildings and homes through cracks and crevices. It is one natural radiation source that can be hazardous to one’s health. Because radon is a high-level carcinogen, even the smallest dose is dangerous.

One of the consequences of inhaling radon at high indoor concentrations is lung cancer. Long-term exposure can significantly increase the risks, depending on the average indoor radon level and whether or not the house occupants smoke.

Exposure to both radon and cigarette smoke may be more hazardous than either substance alone. If you know you are exposed to high levels of radon, it is critical that you stop smoking. If you do not contain it, it will not only infiltrate your home’s air but also your water supply.

You should think about radon testing for your home. Home testing is an important precaution to take, especially if you live in an area with high radon levels.

Testing is simple and quick, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. There’s also no harm in staying at home during the radon test.

What Should You Do Before Getting A Radon Test?

Because most people are concerned about radon, it is critical to take the following precautions before performing the radon test:

Locate An Appropriate Testing Location
Radon levels are typically highest in the basement or crawl space. As a result, this is where you should put the test kit. Place the test kit in a quiet location away from potential noise.

It is best suited for installation three to four feet above the table. Place the device away from vents, humidity, and heat. Avoid using a fireplace or a heating stove unless they are your primary source of heat.

Close The Whole House
Before beginning the radon test, close the entire house. When a location is sealed off, the outside air does not contaminate the radon trapped inside your home.

Close the house 12 hours before the test, and keep it closed the entire time to equalize the air pressures inside and outside the house.

This includes all windows, doors, and ventilation that will allow air to escape to the outside of the house.

Cover any air vents that allow air to blow directly onto the testing equipment. If you open any air entries, radon concentrations may be lower than expected.

To avoid distorted results, only open the entry and exit doors when necessary. Keeping the house closed in the spring or during hot summer days can be difficult, but you must resist the urge.

Do Not Touch The Test Kit
Remember not to touch the device during the test.

Switch Off The Fans
Avoid turning on the fans in the house as much as possible. Any air-moving equipment, such as dehumidifiers and filters, must be turned off.

Aerosols and air fresheners should not be used in the testing area.

How Does A Radon Test Kit Work?

It is critical to remember that all homes, regardless of age or location, may be at risk for elevated radon levels. As a result, every home must be tested because it is impossible to predict whether or not it contains excessive levels.

Radon test kits are inexpensive and simple to use. A DIY radon testing kit, on the other hand, forces you to take the necessary steps in order to obtain the most accurate result possible.

Radon tests are classified into two types: short-term radon kits that are quick to complete and long-term radon detectors that test continuously for three to twelve months.

In most cases, a short-term radon test is used in the home. It is a quick way to test a home for radon. The closed-house condition allows for the maximum radon to be measured using a short-term radon test kit.

When it comes to radon gas testing, you have two options: do it yourself at home with a kit or hire a reputable company. Because these testing kits are simple, contacting a professional radon tester is unnecessary if you feel comfortable conducting the test yourself.

The steps are as follows:

• Choose a Location: Determine where you will conduct your radon test.
• Remove the Testing Kit: Remove your radon test kit from its packaging. Remove any labels that are indicated there.
• Allow it to Sit: You must leave it alone for at least 48 hours. The amount of testing time required will be specified in the product instructions.
• After the testing period, remove the radon test kit from its location and place it in a Ziploc bag.
• Fill out the results on the sheet included with your test kit and send it to the lab. Include the exact start and end dates of the test.

After you have completed your testing, you must send your samples to an analysis facility. Your radon test results will be provided by this facility. If you discover the presence of radon in your home, it is strongly advised that you hire a qualified company to test it.

How Often Should I Test My House For Radon?

Radon is constantly present in the air around us. Exposure to this cancer-causing gas is extremely dangerous to one’s health. As a result, every home must routinely test their radon levels, with follow-up tests required every two years.

How Can Radon Be Reduced?

Radon is emitted by the ground, primarily from rocks and soil. This gas is colorless and odorless. It is possible for too much of it to accumulate inside your home.

Radon levels in a home can be reduced using passive mitigation techniques. If your radon levels are high, you can take steps to reduce them.

Radon gas can be reduced by using air purifiers. Its activated carbon filters can trap radon gas and particles, shielding you from its potentially harmful effects.

You could also improve the ventilation beneath the floor. Radon can be prevented from entering living spaces by installing a ventilation system in the basement.

The problem arises when radon gas seeps into a home through cracks or openings in the foundation. If your home has high radon levels, make repairs right away.

Radon can also get into your house through your water supply. If the levels are high, you can treat your drinking water to remove radon before it enters your home.

If you have radon concerns and your water is supplied by a public water system, you should contact your provider.

Conclusion

Radon cannot be completely avoided because it is a natural component of our environment. However, as previously mentioned, the following strategies can help to mitigate it.

It is strongly recommended that all windows be closed during the radon test. This is due to the fact that radon combines with the air in the room. You run the risk of getting distorted results from a much lower radon concentration level.