Commonly known as the ‘Gateway To The West’, St Louis is a vibrant metropolis in the heart of the USA. It is ranked amongst the best places to live in, according to a survey done in 2019. In addition, it boasts of its Forest Park, a 500-acre park even bigger than Newyork Central Park. You might be reading this article because you live in this eclectic city In Missouri.
One of the basic rules of nature is that nothing is perfect, similar is the case with St Louis. St Louis is plagued with lethal Radon gas. Unfortunately, no matter where you live in the USA, may it be the north, east, or midwest like St Louis, there is one problem you may not be able to run away from. This one lurking issue is found in almost every home in the US and has become a nuisance for homeowners. It can’t be seen, smelled, or heard, but it is there. This health hazard is scaring homeowners into taking action to protect themselves because of the severe risks involved. Often labeled as “The Serial Killer”, “The Silent Killer,” and the “Uninvited guest,” Radon is one thing there is no hiding from. The only solution is to get st Louis radon testing done and determine if the gas is within acceptable levels in your home.
Is radon common in Missouri?
You may be asking yourself, “Is radon a problem in St Louis?” or “How Common is Radon in homes?”. Not to scare you but radon gas in Missouri ranks higher in almost 56.6% of the homes, averaging at about 4.0 pCi/L; this is exceptionally high considering the nation’s average indoor radon concentration for houses in the US is about 1.3 pCi/L. The sad part is that even though 11 counties in Missouri are in the highest potential radon zone, there are no laws for regulation or radon solutions being looked into. The Only protection is self-protection, and considering the high radon levels in Missouri, preventive measures are a must!
Is radon testing essential?
If I tell you that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, causing 21000 deaths a year, you wouldn’t ask this question again, maybe even never forget the answer, which is a fact that will not be changing anytime soon. Unfortunately, these statistics are very accurate; radon is not far behind smoking, the number one reason for deaths due to lung cancer. If you lived in Missouri and looked at the radon zone chart above, you wouldn’t think twice about having a radon inspection in St Louis. After all, health precedes everything, and no one wants to risk themselves and their loved ones’ lives. Radon testing gives peace of mind about the air you are breathing in your home. There is nothing that will signal the presence of radon in your home other than eventual signs of your deteriorating health, and that is one way you don’t want to discover you have radon. If you live in St Louis or any part of Missouri, get radon testing done to avoid ending up with medical testing, that can be a likely fate with this lethal killer on the loose!
Are Home Radon Test Kits Accurate?
Radon testing requires homeowners to take some preparatory steps before a home inspector visits their home. A professional inspector helps carry out accurate tests with fast reporting. On the other hand, radon gas detection can also be done with an over-the-counter radon test kit available in the market. Although a wide variety of radon kits are available in the market, the question arises; is performing a radon test at your home worth endangering the health of your family members? I will let you decide that yourself.
There are many steps required to complete a radon test at home yourself; beware, the slightest mistake can cause inaccurate results. You may end up breathing poisonous gas and being oblivious to it.
Steps To Take If Testing With A Home Radon Test Kit
Some steps you will have to go through before, during, and after performing a radon test with a home kit include:
- Closing and sealing your home from fresh air so that the radon concentration is at its highest at the time of testing.
- Selection and finalizing the most appropriate place to perform the test. This is usually the lowest level of the house, such as the basement.
- Ensuring you are testing at the prescribed height above the ground level according to the company instructions.
- Collecting the sample in the provided vial enclosed in the kit.
- Mailing the sample to the laboratory address provided on the enclosed leaflet.
- Waiting in anticipation for days or weeks for the results to come back.
- Thinking and researching the following steps to take if the results are positive and above acceptable radon level.
The number of steps involved and discussed above can be overwhelming. In addition, the fear of “Did I do everything right?” always remains. Keeping all these things in mind, getting radon testing by a professional inspector from a reliable Home Inspection company in Missouri is advisable. Not only are professional inspections stress-free but also come with a guarantee that the results you are receiving are accurate.
How Much Does A Radon Test Cost In Missouri?
Radon is generally not tested during a standard home inspection by most home inspection companies. If you need a radon inspection and mitigation in Missouri, you will have to look for companies offering advanced radon testing and inspections. Schedule an appointment with them; an inspector will visit your home and give you an estimate of how much an inspection will cost. On the other hand, if you are looking for a generalized rough estimate, Home Advisor estimates $145 to $702 for a radon inspection; this averages around $412 for standard-sized homes. On the other hand, test kits are relatively cheap, but I have already discussed the negatives of home testing earlier in this article.
Radon Gas Mitigation Services
Radon gas mitigation services involve steps to reduce the radon levels in homes or buildings. Reliable home inspection companies in St Louis perform radon tests and also offer mitigation services amongst many other advanced inspections; others may just provide radon inspections and refer to a reasonable radon mitigation officer in case your reports are positive. Lowering high radon levels in your house requires the practical knowledge and skills that come with an experienced radon mitigation inspector.
Information And Guidelines For Radon Testing And Mitigation
Keep the following information in mind whether you are a homeowner or a company requiring radon mitigation or inspection.
- Radon is a colorless, odorless gas released from uranium and thorium chemical breakdown and decay in the soil below.
- Professional laboratories can only confirm radon testing results.
- Radon enters homes through the ground that comes in contact with the house’s foundation: this can be through cracks, holes, sump pits, or even pipes. The radioactive energy produced by radon can affect the lung cells and cause cancer.
Radon Testing Guidelines
Whether you end up doing a test yourself or hiring an inspector, make sure that your choice is an informed one and comes after thorough research; after all, you and your family’s health are at stake. A certified inspector should always carry out a radon inspection by the state. Next, search for a company that preferably offers a radon protective plan with inspection services. The Residential Warranty Services provide this plan to inspectors enrolled in their program. If a mitigation system is present in your home and the radon inspection result comes under 4.0 Pc/l, the policy offer is for a year after a complete home inspection. In other cases, the policy offer remains 120 days after a home inspection or 22 days after closing, whichever comes later.
What If My Radon Test Report Is Positive?
Suppose radon test results come above acceptable levels; the inspector will refer you to a good radon mitigation company. The most common method employed by a radon mitigation officer is the SSD or sub-slab depressurization method. This method involves using a fan and a PVC pipe to draw air from below the basement or flooring. The air is taken above the roof from where it dissipates into the environment. Attempting to do radon mitigation on your own is possible, but only if you are handy and have good carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills. Call a specialized radon inspector and get the job done hassle-free if you feel this isn’t your piece of cake.