If you currently own, or are thinking of purchasing, a home that has a radon mitigation system, it’s important to know how to check if the system is working correctly. Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is created naturally underground and can seep into any home in contact with the ground. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and according to the EPA, radon kills over 20,000 people each year. Here are 3 ways to know that your home’s radon mitigation system is working:
1. Perform regular radon tests inside your home. You should test once every two years at a minimum; if you have renovations done to the home or someone begins living in a basement level of the home, you should test once each year. If your test results in an acceptable radon reading, your system is working correctly.
2. All active radon mitigation systems (systems with fans) are required to have a manometer installed to indicate the radon fan is working. It’s mounted to the radon vent pipe, usually in a basement, closet, or garage. When the system is working, the suction from the fan draws fluid up one side of the gauge so the levels on each side of the U-shaped device are not equal. If the levels are equal to each other, the fan is no longer functioning correctly.
3. Have an alarm installed on your radon system. The alarm will immediately alert you if your fan stops working, both with a light and an audible alarm. Alarms can be added to an existing radon mitigation system.
A radon mitigation system is a wonderful asset for your home. Its purpose is to keep you and your family safe and healthy; it can even save your life! For more information about radon mitigation systems and how they work, please contact:
Illinois Valley Radon Mitigation, LLC
717 Bellevue Avenue
Ottawa, IL 61350
815-313-5892
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