Do You Know Your Home’s Radon Risk: Green House Cleaning Tips From Better Life Maids
Radon Gas is a little off the normal green house cleaning tips we provide, but we have been house hunting lately, it appears that this is an important topic to consider when choosing a home, and it is important to know the risks of Radon gas and what you can do to protect yourself and your current home.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon gas is responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than drunk driving, falls in the home, drowning, or home fires. It’s also responsible for more than 21,000 deaths each year from radon related lung cancer, and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Yet many people are unaware of the danger this gas poses to our health. That’s why if you’re considering buying or selling a home, having a radon gas test performed is a great way to create peace of mind. In fact, to encourage homeowners to address this deadly intruder, the EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month.
What is Radon Gas?
A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon is found in all parts of the U.S. It develops in the ground and is tasteless, colorless and odorless, but it is easily detected using the right testing equipment. Because it comes up from the ground, radon gas easily enters our homes at construction joints, through cracks in the foundation or walls, in gaps around service pipes and much less commonly, in well water. Given the way our homes are constructed in Missouri, the gas is trapped inside where it can build up over time. This is true regardless of the age of your home. And the only way to determine the level of radon gas in a home is through testing.
Things for Home Buyers to Consider
When you’re buying a home, be sure to request information on the last test that was conducted. You’ll want to know what the results were, who conducted the test (homeowner or professional), where the test was conducted in the home (lowest level is recommended) and what structural changes, if any, were made in heating, venting, or HVAC since the test was done. If the test is more than two years old, or did not follow the EPA checklist, you should ask for a new test. If a radon gas problem is discovered, you’ll need to negotiate with the seller as to who will pay for the expense of correcting the radon gas problem.
Things for Home Sellers to Consider
If you’ve never tested your home, a previous test is older two years or if the EPA checklist wasn’t followed, you should have a test conducted before putting your home on the market. You can do this yourself with the proper kit; however, home buyers are likely to want a professional conducting the test.
Things to Consider When Building a Home
It is impossible to stop all radon gas seepage. However, many stopgap features can be included in a new home build to reduce the likelihood of gas getting in. Some can also be retrofitted into existing homes. These features include the installation of:
– A Gas Permeable Layer – Typically a layer of gravel between the soil and the slab or basement floor. The gravel allows radon gas to move freely under the home.
– Plastic Sheeting – Placed on top of the gravel layer and under the flooring, the plastic helps prevent radon gas from entering through the floor.
– Gas Venting – A dedicated vent that runs from the gas permeable layer through the roof allows the radon gas to evacuate safely away from the home.
– Sealing and Caulking – All points of entry are sealed to prevent gas from entering.
If you’ve never had your home tested for radon gas, it’s important to have it done, even if you aren’t selling your current home. To learn more, contact your local state EPA office or visit the EPA website for publications specific to radon gas detection and correction as well as health risks.
Radon Gas Resources:
At the state level: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html
EPA publications: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html
About Better Life Maids
Better Life Maids is a green house cleaning service founded in St. Louis, MO. It has created a unique marketing partnership with Better Life a natural household cleaning products manufacturer. Together they are working to create the first national name brand in natural household cleaning products and green house cleaning services. Better Life Maids is expanding in select markets through a franchise development system. For more information visit https://www.betterlifemaids.com or http://www.cleanhappens.com.