Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, Radon Abatement Near Reading, Harrisburg, Lancaster | Pennsylvania

January is National Radon Action Month

2020-01-03T00:00:00.05Z

Protect your home from the dangers of radon gas during National Radon Action Month

Radon is an odorless, colorless, and invisible gas caused by the decay of trace amounts of uranium in the earth’s crust. The resulting gas has been classified as a carcinogen by the EPA and is responsible for roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths in America each year, making it the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

In recognition of the threat that radon poses, the EPA has made January National Radon Action Month in the United States. If you’ve been ignoring the threat of radon, then this January is the perfect time to learn more and get your home tested.

Radon testing can provide peace of mind

While radon may be associated with basements, even a home without a basement is at risk. Radon is frequently found in crawl spaces, first floors, and even second-story rooms. Radon has also been found in every U.S. state.

The good news though is that January is the best time to test since radon levels are higher in the winter. A qualified radon testing contractor like M. Webster Construction, Inc. can make the whole process go smoothly. Our radon tests use a simple and painless three-step process:

One of our radon experts will visit your home to meet with you and set up a continuous radon monitor. During this meeting, we’ll discuss what you can do to make sure the test goes smoothly (ie closed house conditions) and answer any questions you might have.
Once the radon monitor is installed we’ll let it run for at least 48 hours to collect as much data as possible.
After the 48 hours or so are up we’ll visit again. At this time we’ll provide you with the results so that you can finally have peace of mind. If your home does have a high radon level then we’ll also discuss installing a radon mitigation system.

Protect your home with radon mitigation

If your home tests higher than 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) then the EPA strongly recommends that you have a radon mitigation system installed. It can also be a good idea to install a radon mitigation system even if your radon levels are simply between 2.0 pCi/L and 4.0 pCi/L.

No matter how high your radon levels might be, there’s no need to panic. A qualified contractor, like M. Webster Construction, Inc., can install a radon mitigation system that will reduce even the highest radon levels to a safe point. Contact us today to learn more about our radon services and schedule your radon testing or mitigation today!

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Take Steps to Protect Your Home During National Radon Action Month

2017-01-01T00:00:00.05Z

Image source: Environmental Protection Agency

Radon cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, but its presence could be all too real in your home. Radon is a naturally occurring gas caused by the decay of radium, thorium, and uranium in the soil, and it can enter your home through cracks in your foundation or even seep inside with groundwater. Exposure to dangerous levels of radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 21,000 residents every year. The good news is, exposure to high levels of radon is an easily avoidable health risk if the proper steps are taken.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month, a time when homeowners are encouraged to learn about the dangers of radon exposure and take action to protect their homes through radon testing and radon mitigation. During this month, your number one priority should be to perform a radon test for your home and, if high levels are found, install a radon mitigation system to restore your home’s health and safety. If you’re looking for other ways to get involved as well, help spread the word by urging others to protect their health by performing radon tests in homes, schools, and offices.

Below, we have provided some answers to commonly asked questions about radon so you can learn a bit more about radon exposure in Pennsylvania. Be sure to share the knowledge with your family and friends!

Do I need to re-test my home for radon? If so, how frequently?

The EPA recommends re-testing your home for radon approximately every two years. You should also perform a radon test if you have recently renovated your home or expanded your living area into a lower level such as a basement. These new living areas could have a higher radon level than the rest of your home, and a major renovation project can change your home’s radon levels by creating new entrances for the gas to seep into your home. You may also want to perform a new radon test during different seasons, as seasonal changes can affect radon levels. Radon testing is both simple and affordable, so it can never hurt to perform a new check for this potentially dangerous substance.

I’m buying/selling a home. What do I do?

If you are buying a new home in Pennsylvania, it’s always a good idea to ask for a copy of recent radon test results. Even then, you may want to ask for a new test if the radon testing checklist items were not met, the last test was not performed recently, or you plan to live in a level of the house that is not currently occupied. The same criteria goes for those selling their home: always perform a radon test and review to ensure it was done correctly, take any steps necessary to install a radon mitigation system if high levels are found, perform a new radon test if you’ve recently completed renovations, and provide your radon test results to the buyer. Review this Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon from the EPA for more information.

How do I know if there’s radon in my area?

No matter where you live in Central PA, it’s possible that your home may have high radon levels. Every homeowner should conduct a radon test, regardless of geographic location. While some areas of the country have been shown to have lower radon levels on average than others, it’s important to keep in mind that dangerously high radon levels have been found even in places that are generally considered low risk. No matter your location, radon testing is always a good idea.

Can radon levels vary from house to house in a neighborhood?

Yes. Radon levels vary from home to home, so even if your neighbor’s home tested fine for radon, your home could be completely different. Radon levels depend upon a number of factors that are unique to your specific home, so the only way to know if your health is at risk is by completing a radon test.

How can I trust that the radon test is accurate?

When you’re ready to test your home for radon, you can either order a radon test kit from a qualified radon contractor or laboratory, or you can bring in a professional radon tester to complete a home inspection and select the radon test device that is most suitable to your home. To ensure the accuracy of your radon test, be sure to carefully follow the instructions on the test kit and consult your local radon contractor if you have any questions. M. Webster Construction, Inc. is your qualified radon contractor in Pennsylvania with extensive training and experience in setting up radon tests. We can help you select the most up-to-date radon device, recommend which options will work best for your home, and answer any questions you might have about the process and results.

If I have a radon problem, what’s involved in getting rid of the problem?

If a radon test reports a radon measurement at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), contact M. Webster Construction, Inc. to set up a radon mitigation system that is specifically designed to reduce radon levels to a healthy amount. There are several different methods for radon abatement that will prevent radon gas from entering your home while reducing your current radon levels, and we will help you select the best option for your home’s specific needs.

Take the first step in keeping you and your family healthy and safe! Contact M. Webster Construction, Inc. today for radon testing or to get an estimate on installing a radon mitigation system in your home. We provide radon services in Reading, Harrisburg, Lancaster and throughout Pennsylvania.

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Reduce Your Home's Radon Risk During National Radon Action Month

2016-01-21T00:00:00.05Z

Every year in the United States, more than 21,000 lives are taken by radon-induced lung cancer – a disease that is completely avoidable with the right precautions. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can be found in any property across the country. No matter where you live in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to find out if radon is a problem in your home. If testing shows a high radon level, steps should be taken to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named January as National Radon Action Month, urging homeowners to take action now and test for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive and can help prevent unnecessary exposure to the harmful gas.

National Radon Action Month is just one part of the EPA’s larger plan to eliminate radon concerns in Pennsylvania and all across the country. The National Radon Action Plan, released late last year, is a collaboration among several organizations dedicated to reducing radon risk in 5 million homes and saving 3,200 lives annually by 2020.

Testing for radon and if necessary, reducing high radon levels with radon mitigation should be your top priority during National Radon Action Month, but the EPA also suggests other ways to get involved. You can help spread the word about radon to your friends and neighbors. If you’re planning on selling your home and haven't had the radon level tested, you should take steps to fix the problem now to protect your family and pass on the health benefits to the next homeowner.

M. Webster Construction, Inc. is proud to support National Radon Action Month by providing homeowners in Central PA with effective radon mitigation. Contact us today to schedule a radon test or request a quote to have a new mitigation system installed or to have your current system inspected!

For more information on radon and radon testing, you can see the EPA's Citizen's Guide to Radon.

How to Lower your Risk of Lung Cancer During Radon Action Month

2015-01-01T00:00:00.05Z

January is National Radon Action Month and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges that all homeowners have their homes tested for radon.

You have likely heard of radon at one time or another, but you may have never thought of it as something you should be concerned about. The EPA has recognized radon exposure as a growing health threat. You can’t see, smell, or taste radon. As the second leading cause of lung cancer, this harmful gas is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year.

Radon gas forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes and even through your water supply. Radon is found everywhere in the US, including Pennsylvania. You can have a radon problem even if your neighbor doesn’t.

Testing is the only way to know if radon is a problem in your home. The best time to test for radon in your home is during the colder months when your windows and doors are shut. If test results show that your home has a high level of radon, the next step is to contact a radon professional to install a radon mitigation system to the level of radon in the air.

M. Webster Construction, Inc. is trusted by homeowners throughout Central PA who are looking for a guaranteed solution to their radon problem. If you are looking for radon testing, or you performed a test that showed unsafe radon levels, we can help. Radon exposure is preventable, but action must be taken. There’s no better time than now to protect your health!

Call us at [phone] today to learn more about our options for radon testing and mitigation.

How to Protect Yourself from Radon Exposure & Radon-Induced Lung Cancer

2014-10-28T00:00:00.05Z

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, M. Webster Construction, Inc. is encouraging all Pennsylvania homeowners to test for radon in their homes.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. While cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Lung cancer is often thought of as a self-inflicted disease. This misconception has unfortunately made it one of the most deadly diseases. Lung cancer is also among the causes that receive the least amount of research funding. Each year, more than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer, and more than 150,000 people die from the disease every year.

How is radon linked to cancer?

Radon is found everywhere, in varying levels. Radon is a naturally-occurring gas that builds up as uranium and other soil particles decay. The gas then seeps into our homes and accumulates in our basements or crawl spaces. This can then travel up into the living space. When the radioactive particles are inhaled, this can damage the lining of the lungs and over time, can result in lung cancer.

Radon is undetectable to our human senses and kills around 20,000 people each year; just 840 less than Leukemia.

The question you are likely asking yourself is: If radon is undetectable, how do I know if I should have my home tested?

The only way to know if radon is present, and putting you and your family at risk, is to have your home tested. Radon testing is easy and inexpensive. "Do-it-yourself" radon test kits are available at some home improvement and hardware stores. Some states also provide free or discounted test kits. If you prefer, you can hire a certified radon testing specialist to perform a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) test.

Even if your neighbor doesn’t have a problem with radon in their home, the same may not be true for your house. There are many contributing factors to radon levels: season, soil composition, a home’s tightness of their building envelope, and more. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends maintaining a constant level below 4.0 picocuries per liter. Once you have had a radon test conducted and have received the results, M. Webster Construction, Inc. can recommend the right radon remediation system to extract the gas from your home, if needed.

As a qualified radon services professional, M. Webster Construction, Inc. is compliant with all state requirements to provide radon mitigation services. Our coverage area includes Reading, Harrisburg, Lancaster and many parts of Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

There is no better time than now to make sure your family is protected from this deadly gas.

There’s No Better Time to Test for Radon

2013-12-18T00:00:00.05Z

Pennsylvania Residents Urged to Test for Radon During National Radon Action Month

Most of us spend a majority of our time indoors and this is especially true during colder months. With winter comes an increased risk of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. When a home is sealed up for the winter, elevated radon levels can also become a major problem. Along with inspecting our heating system and installing a CO detector, winter is an ideal time to test for radon. During National Radon Action Month in January, M. Webster Construction, Inc. is encouraging Central PA residents to take action to protect their homes and families.

Elevated radon levels found in 1 out of every 15 homes

Much like carbon monoxide, radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas. Elevated levels of radon are found in every state and can be present in every home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 deaths per year. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer cases in the U.S. and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that becomes a hazard when at a high concentration. The EPA has found proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon can have serious health implications, including cancer and death. When radon is trapped inside our home or a building, the gas can reach harmful levels. One out of every 15 homes is estimated to have elevated radon levels. The only way to find out if radon is a problem in your home is by conducting a test.

The cost of radon mitigation is the same as many home repairs

Testing your home for radon is easy and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores. The EPA suggests having a radon reduction system installed if the test shows a radon level of over 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), however, levels less than 4 pCi/L may still pose a risk. A qualified radon contractor can thoroughly inspect your radon problem and help choose the right solution to effectively reduce radon levels. A radon mitigation system can reduce levels in your home up to 99 percent. If you already have a radon mitigation system installed, they can also provide a radon system inspection.

M. Webster Construction, Inc. urges Pennsylvania residents to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon. The cost of fixing your radon problem is similar to that of many home repairs like painting or installing a new water heater, but the payoff is priceless. Contact M. Webster Construction, Inc. to schedule a radon test or for more information on radon mitigation in Reading, Harrisburg and surrounding areas.