When it comes to smelling weird smells in your home, homeowners will often get confused as to where the scent is coming from. Typically, if you smell something like rotten eggs or something foul, it is from a dead animal or sulfur from your water source. Keep in mind that not everything harmful to you has a smell. Additionally, if you ever were worried about radon or carbon monoxide in your home, you can test your home for radon gas. Does Radon smell? No, Radon gas is actually found in the soil and it is a gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
Let’s take a look below at what’s involved with Radon and Radon testing.
What Is Radon
Radon is a gas that comes from the soil of the earth. It is a result of the decomposition of decaying uranium. As the uranium breaks down, it becomes radioactive gas and is released into the soil. The gas will work itself up through the soil to escape into the surface of the soil. Radon gas can access your home via cracks and crevices in your foundation. Once it enters the home it becomes trapped and will compound itself. Typically, radon gas from the soil is a far bigger issue than radon gas from well water. In the United States, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer.
How Can I Test For Radon
Luckily for homeowners, there are multiple ways that you can test for radon gas. There are options such as short-term testing, long-term testing, and continuous testing. In most cases, this is not something that a homeowner will want to take on as a do-it-yourself project. Hire a professional to test your home for radon gas.
- Short-term Radon Testing kit – activated charcoal or electric ions-based test. Measures radon gas levels over a period of 2 to 7 days. Once the tests are completed they are mailed to a laboratory for review. Most local hardware stores sell these types of tests.
- Long-term Radon Testing kit – these tests can also be purchased at a local hardware store or online. Long-term tests are conducted over a period of 90 days to a full year. This allows the test to collect data such as air pressure, wind gusts, snow levels (if present), moisture levels in the soil, and the level of radon gas. These factors will trap radon gas, so it is important to measure their amounts or levels.
- Continuous Radon Testing – this radon test is conducted by an electrical outlet or plug-in. The unit is simply plugged into any standard electrical outlet and collects air samples from your home. This is a great way to consistently know the radon levels in your home. Another positive is that you will know of any immediate danger in your home.
How Much Does It Cost
Radon testing is fairly inexpensive. Depending on the type of radon testing you select will determine how much you will spend. Of course, you cannot put a price tag on your family’s health and safety. The national average ranges between $150 and $350 for a radon test. Also, consider getting a radon mitigation test during a full home inspection. This might cost you between $500 and $700. Lastly, consider purchasing a full home radon mitigation system. This system will cost you between $750 and $5,000 depending on the size of your home.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you are aware radon gas has no smell, this might be a good idea to read up on how often you should get a radon test done. You can place this information with your other yearly maintenance needs.
Next, if you are concerned about gases in your home, then be aware of carbon monoxide. It is another odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can be a result of any gas-fueled appliances or amenities. So, if you have a gas-fueled fireplace, you will want to install carbon monoxide testers to monitor any carbon monoxide leak.
Lastly, when it comes to inspections you should really get to know what is involved. Some homeowners get confused with a home inspection vs a home appraisal. Knowing the difference allows you to be successful when looking to have a home inspection and radon mitigation inspection done.
When Do I Call A Professional
Having an understanding that radon gas can enter your home and it has no smell, taste, or color should mean that hiring a professional to test for radon is important. As a homeowner, you can purchase a radon test and conduct it yourself. However, it is better to reach out to your local home inspection team to conduct a radon mitigation inspection. Keeping your family healthy and safe is your main priority here.
Conclusion
Getting a radon mitigation test conducted is highly recommended. No matter where you live, it is a great idea to conduct a radon test every two years. Anytime you are talking about a gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, you will want to test for the levels in your home. It is recommended that you conduct a mitigation inspection after you have completed a renovation to your home, or after you buy a new home. This will give you peace of mind regarding the radon levels in your home. Reach out to Enviroquest Home Inspections for a radon mitigation inspection as well as a complete home inspection in Harrisburg, PA.