Radon inspection:
Because there are areas in the state of Illinois that have unsafe levels of radon, we offer radon testing as a way to ensure you and your family are protected from the harmful effects of radon gas. Our 48-hour test will determine if the home you currently own, or are interested in purchasing, has unsafe levels of radon.
A radioactive gas that naturally occurs in the soil, radon can seep into homes through cracks and other openings in the foundation.
Radon is recognized as a carcinogen and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. While the safest level of exposure to radon is no radon at all, you should always aim to have the lowest level. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a radon mitigation system for homes with radon levels above 4 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L).
Radon is a geological issue; any structure is at risk for potentially high levels of radon. 31 states have radon exposure above 4 pCi/L, generally located in the northern half of the United States.
Radon levels can change seasonally.
Winter radon levels tend to be higher than summer, as summer heat rising in the house creates a stronger vacuum on the soil. Radon levels have been shown to rise during heavy winds, rain, or even snowy weather.
A typical radon mitigation system includes a ventilation system that draws the radon gas out of the home and vents it safely to the outside.
There are various methods of mitigating radon from a home and differing types of radon mitigation systems ranging from active soil depressurization, passive radon mitigation systems, to waterborne radon mitigation systems. A radon mitigation system has a single objective: reduce or eliminate radon gas exposure inside the home. The most common type of radon mitigation system is called a sub-slab depressurization system, which involves installing a pipe and fan system beneath the foundation of the building to draw the radon gas out from below the foundation and vent it to the outside, typically above the roof line.
Radon mitigation systems are installed by certified professionals who are trained and certified in radon mitigation.
It’s important to have your home tested for radon before considering a mitigation system, as levels can vary widely depending on a variety of factors such as location, soil composition, and building materials.
The cost of a radon mitigation system depends on the severity of the radon gas levels or radon in water levels and what is needed to properly mitigate the gas. Because radon exposure can be deadly, discovering and addressing the risk early is important to protecting you and your family.
Our radon testing services give a quick turnaround with 48-hour testing.
We use a continuous electronic monitor that gives an hour-by-hour breakdown of the test results. Every situation is assessed by a certified professional who will recommend the best approach to address your radon threat.
While we do testing for radon gas, we do not install mitigation systems.
All of our radon technicians at Real Inspection Experts is licensed in compliance with the State of Illinois.