Whether you’re buying a new house or selling your current one, radon testing should be at the top of your to-do list. According to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, two of five Idaho homes that have been tested have radon levels above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is high and requires mitigation.
In the Sun Valley and surrounding areas, radon levels are higher than average due to the large amounts of minerals from rocks and soil that eventually degrade into radon gas. When Sun Valley homes without radon mitigation systems are tested, many results come back higher than 4.0 pCi/L.
Along with emergency disaster restoration and home remodeling, Valley Restoration provides effective radon testing and mitigation throughout Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, and Bellevue, Idaho. Our professional radon team will test your levels and take necessary action to reduce radon in your home.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and water. This gas can enter the home through foundation cracks in walls and flooring, as well as other small openings in the house.
Radon is common in homes and can be present at safe levels (any radon level between 0.4-1.3 pCi/L is considered average). However, high levels of radon (over 4.0 pCi/L) can have serious health consequences. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers and the second leading cause for the general population. When radon is inhaled, its radioactive particles are trapped in the lungs. There are no symptoms until lung cancer advances, according to the CDC.
Why Radon Testing Is Important for Home Buyers and Sellers
Along with health consequences, high radon levels and the absence of a radon mitigation system can have a negative impact on home value. Homeowners who are selling their homes must first test their radon levels. Homebuyers should also request a radon test before signing for a new home.
Radon-Testing Tips for Sellers
Test your home before listing it for sale. Check with your state radon office to find out if there are specific requirements for radon testing.
In Idaho, there are two types of tests: short-term, which provide a radon value between 3-7 days, and long-term, which are placed in the home for up to a year. You can order a test kit yourself or have your home tested by a professional.
Radon-Testing Tips for Home Buyers
Before getting too far in the home-buying process, ask the seller for the home’s radon test results. If they haven’t tested their home yet, you can request this. If the test shows high levels of radon, ensure that a radon mitigation system is in place.
High Radon Levels Require Radon Mitigation
If your house tests for unsafe radon levels, radon mitigation is required. Radon mitigation systems vary in design but typically involve a fan and venting system to redirect radon outside the home.
A professional radon mitigation team will assess your home’s construction to determine the best placement for the system’s components. Whether you have a basement, crawlspace, or slab-on-grade foundation (concrete on the ground level) affects the type of mitigation system that should be installed.
Soil suction is one of the most common methods to reduce radon levels. There are numerous types of soil suction:
- Subslab, drain-tile, sump-hole, and block-wall suction: Used in basement and slab-on-grade homes
- Submembrane suction: Used in crawl space homes.
The EPA outlines other radon reduction measures that professionals use:
- Sealing cracks in the foundation, in addition to other radon mitigation techniques
- Pressurization, or using a fan to blow air inside toward the lowest level of the home, thus preventing radon from entering
- Heat recovery ventilation, which increases ventilation and improves air quality
During the execution of any radon mitigation plan, close monitoring is required to ensure the system is working and radon levels are being reduced.
Choose Valley Restoration for Radon Mitigation
At Valley Restoration, we’re dedicated to protecting Sun Valley homeowners from high radon levels. Our professionally trained team uses the most advanced equipment and techniques for radon mitigation, ensuring radon is efficiently vented out of your home. Our continuous commitment to homeowner safety has allowed us to provide decades of service to the Sun Valley and surrounding areas.
In need of professional radon testing and mitigation? Contact Valley Restoration at 208-788-2789 or info@valleymaintenance.net.