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What is a Radon Test and Do You Need it For Your Home?

A radon test is an important way to measure the level of radon gas in your home. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can cause cancer. It is important to test your home for radon and take steps to reduce the level of radon if it is high.

What is radon?

Radon is a gas that is produced when uranium and radium break down. It is colorless and odorless and can be found naturally on the earth. Radon can be harmful if it is present at high levels in a home, as it can cause lung cancer.

Radon is a gas that comes from the ground. It is not a problem outdoors because it quickly goes away into the air. But, if your house is sealed tight, radon could be a problem because it could get trapped inside and get to high levels.

What is a radon test?

A radon test kit helps you measure the amount of radon gas in your home. Radon gas rises from the ground, so the kit should be placed on the lowest level of your typically occupied home. This will help you estimate the total amount of radon in your home’s air.

The most common type of test is a passive test, which uses a charcoal canister to absorb radon gas. The canister is then sent to a lab for measurement. 

Passive tests are left in the home for the collection period (typically 48 hours, but some tests last up to a week), and it is important to keep the windows closed during this time to get an accurate reading. 

A high radon level would result in a false reading if the windows were left open, because the gas would escape.

If you want an accurate measure of the radon in your home, it’s best to hire a professional rather than a hardware store kit. Hardware store kits are small, and their placement can affect the reading. A professional will make sure you get accurate results.

An active radon testing device is a machine that is used to measure the amount of radon in a certain area. It is important to have this device professionally installed to get accurate readings. 

This machine is beneficial because it can be used for long-term testing and allows people to see how radon levels change over time. 

Active radon monitors are often a part of a radon mitigation system, which is installed to reduce radon levels in a home. The radon detector is important because it lets people know that the system is working and that their home is protected.

How much is a radon test?

You can buy a radon test kit at a hardware store for around $10-$30. These kits will give you quick results to show the radon level in your home.

A home inspector with special training in radon testing can provide more accurate results than a DIY test. These tests are not time-consuming and are often bundled with a standard home inspection at an affordable price.

Radon and real estate

Many homebuyers are intimidated by radon and will ask for a radon test before they make an offer on a home. If test results show high radon levels, the seller will be asked to mitigate the problem before selling the house.

You should inform your real estate agent of radon problems in your home. Many buyers will refuse to buy a home with elevated radon levels, so you’ll want to prepare yourself in advance.

If you own a radon-prone home, you can avoid selling problems by removing radon before listing your house. Once the problem is corrected, the test results will reveal that your home is radon-free, and the home will be more attractive to buyers.

Is your home radon-free?

A radon test is important because it can help identify if your home has elevated levels of radon gas. If you have elevated levels of radon gas, it’s important to take action to reduce the amount of radon gas in your home. By taking a radon test, you can help ensure that you’re taking the necessary steps to reduce the amount of radon gas in your home.

Get accurate radon testing in Atlanta, GA here at Ally Property Inspections. We also serve Birmingham and Alabama. Call us today. 

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