What is Radon Gas and Why is it a Health Risk in Homes?
Radon is a radioactive gas formed naturally when uranium, thorium or radium breaks down in soil, rock or water. Radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless, so proper testing is the only way to detect it. Radon can enter homes through foundation cracks, pipe gaps and other openings. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, as radioactive particles from radon damage lung tissue.
The EPA and WHO identify radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking. Homes in areas with high natural uranium deposits, including parts of Northern Illinois, face a greater risk of elevated indoor radon levels, making radon facts and education critical for homeowners. Addressing this silent hazard with professional radon mitigation protects your family from long-term health risks.
How Can I Tell If My Home Has a High Radon Level and What Testing Methods are Available?
Since Radon is invisible and odorless, testing is the only way to determine if your home has high radon levels. Short-term tests, lasting 2 to 7 days, provide quick results, while long-term tests, which monitor radon for 90 days to a year, offer more accurate exposure measurements.
You can purchase radon test kits at hardware stores or hire a professional to perform the test. Professional radon testing delivers precise results, making it a preferred option for homes with suspected radon issues or during property sales. If elevated radon levels are detected, professional mitigation services from certified professionals can reduce the gas to safe levels using customized solutions.
What is Sub-Slab Depressurization and How Does it Work in Radon Mitigation?
Sub-slab depressurization is a leading radon mitigation technique designed to prevent radon gas from entering your home. Radon often seeps through foundation cracks, pipe gaps or other structural openings. A sub-slab depressurization system creates a vacuum beneath the home’s concrete slab, using a fan and pipe network to redirect radon gas from the soil and safely vent it outside.
This mitigation method works well for homes with basements or slab-on-grade foundations and significantly lowers radon levels when installed by certified professionals to EPA standards. Regular testing after installation helps guarantee your home’s protection from radon gas exposure.
What Are The Benefits of Hiring Professional Radon Mitigation Services?
Professional radon mitigation services offer expertise and precision DIY methods cannot match. Certified technicians assess your home’s radon levels and recommend the most effective solution for your foundation type and radon entry points. Lifetime Home Services uses specialized systems like sub-slab depressurization to vent radon gas safely outdoors.
Professionals also conduct post-mitigation testing to confirm radon levels are reduced to safe limits, giving you peace of mind. Hiring experts helps your home comply with EPA and state safety standards, which is especially important if you plan to sell your property.
What Areas Does Lifetime Home Services Cover for Radon Mitigation and How Can I Schedule a Radon Test?
Lifetime Home Services provides comprehensive radon services throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Rockford, Naperville, Aurora, Chicago, Waukegan and other surrounding communities. Our certified technicians deliver customized radon solutions to reduce exposure and improve indoor air quality for your home.
Scheduling a radon test is simple. Contact us online or call our customer service team and we’ll arrange a convenient time to test your home’s radon levels. If high levels are detected, we’ll install a mitigation system tailored to your needs to keep your home environment safe.
Whether addressing health concerns or preparing to sell your property, Lifetime Home Services is your trusted partner for residential and commercial radon testing and mitigation in Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.