Until recently, contractors and home builders in Canal Winchester, OH, took little notice of radon gas and its deadly effects. Next to smoking, radon inhalation is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon testing and mitigation have moved to the forefront of most homeowner’s minds.
Today, many newer homes are being built with radon barriers and vents. However, there is still an issue with older residences, and how to deal with and remove radon from homes built before the advent of mitigation systems.
Canal Winchester is a quaint little town of about 9,000 residents southeast of Metro Columbus, OH. The town dates back to the late 1820s when workers digging a canal encroached on land owned by Reuban Dove.
Although he was angry and declared he would sue the state, he was convinced by the workers to create a town instead. The town was named after the hometown of Reuban Dove’s father, which was Winchester, VA.
The small town continued to prosper after the railroad was introduced in 1869. Canal Winchester, although small, continued to prosper.
Policing of the community is conducted under contract with the Fairfield County Sherriff’s department. Fire services have two stations in the district. Emergency services are provided by the Township Fire Department located in nearby Madison.
The community hosts five schools, providing education from preschool to high school. There are two medical centers in the community, too: Mount Carmel Medical Group and Winchester Health Center.
The effectiveness of various approaches to radon reduction in homes is being carried out by the U.S. EPA. Although the work the EPA is doing is far from complete, they have learned one important lesson. No two houses or buildings are alike.
Although many homes look alike and may even be on the same street, they often exhibit small differences in conditions that affect the entry of radon. This has a decided impact on the reduction solution techniques.
Soil differs considerably. The soil surrounding one house and the house next to it can be very different. The differences are what impacts the results of tests and the resulting radon mitigation methods.
Many radon removal procedures require the services of an experienced professional contractor. Knowing that radon is a killer, DIY efforts to identify the source and magnitude of the gas are best left to companies such as Radon Eliminator in Ohio.
Choosing the right radon company cannot be overemphasized. Review any proposals carefully, and do not hesitate to contact the local Better Business Bureau to ensure the reputation of the contractors.
There are several ways to reduce the radon levels in an enclosed structure such as a house. The entry of the gas can be prevented, or indoor air can be exhausted and replaced. Some of the remedial methods are quite simple and straightforward, while others are far more complex.
The method’s effectiveness depends a great deal on the house, the route of gas entry, and the level of contamination. In cases where the level of radon is low, one approach may be sufficient. In Ohio, where the radon level in the soil is high, it may be necessary to employ several methods in an effort to achieve acceptable results.
The choice of contractor and mitigation method depends on how well the source of the problem is understood. Also, the characteristics of the home construction as well as the proposed reduction system, have a significant impact on the results.
Highly specialized radon mitigation contractors have several diagnostic tools at their disposal. Observations made before testing and measurements made during and after testing are carried out.
The process begins with a survey of the home. The contractor visually inspects the house, looking for possible points of radon entry and construction issues that may influence the design and undertaking of mitigation and reduction techniques.
During the initial survey, an evaluation of the soil under the slab is carried out. The contractor is looking for the ease of gas movement through the soil, and if sub-slab ventilation is a viable option.
If the water source for the home is a deep well, the contractor also measures radon levels in the water.
As with any radon testing and reduction process, the skills required to perform the tasks are invariably beyond the capabilities of the majority of homeowners.
The amount of radon given off by water depends on how much of the radioactive substance is in the water in the first place. As the water temperature rises and the surface area of water increases, the amount of radon given off grows.
Any activity that agitates water creates the release of radon. These activities include showering, doing dishes, or washing clothes.
In some areas, Ohio is one of them, water from community water systems can contain enough radon to be of concern. Elevated radon levels in water are major contributors to high radon levels within a house.
If, after testing and analysis of the results, the results show elevated radon levels in your home, abatement becomes an urgent necessity. The average indoor radon level across the United States is about 1.3 pCi/L. In Ohio, 39 counties have a level between 2 and 4 pCi/L, and 53 counties have a radon gas level greater than 4 pCi/L.
Every home in Ohio is at risk, and mitigation must be considered. A qualified testing and mitigation company installs a fan-assisted system that draws contaminated air from around the foundation and exhausts it into free air outdoors where it can do no harm.
Installation of the system is usually a one-day job for knowledgeable professionals. A hole is cut into the basement slab. A pipe is inserted into the hole until it reaches the sub-soil. The pipe leads to a fan that runs 24x7. Contaminated air is drawn from the sub-soil and exhausted outdoors.
The abatement process may include filling cracks and gaps in the foundation and around pipes.
For Ohio residents, mitigating the harmful effects of radon in the home is extremely important. You are invited to contact Radon Eliminator, a company with the knowledge and skill to permanently fix the problem.
Click the link below to schedule a discounted radon test in Canal Winchester, Oh today.
Radon Eliminator
4392 S. Arlington Rd
Uniontown, OH 44685
Call Us: 330-248-5322