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Radon Testing in Homes: Everything You Need to Know

Radon Testing in Homes: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas which occurs naturally in the earth’s soil and rocks. Exposure to high levels of radon can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. As a result, it’s important for homeowners to test their homes for radon and take appropriate action if high levels are detected. 

In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about radon testing in homes, including where radon is most common, how to test for radon in your home, what to do if your home has high radon levels, and whether you should walk away from a house with radon. By the end of this article, you will have the knowledge you need to ensure your home is safe and healthy for you and your family.

Where is Radon Most Common?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas which can be found all over the United States. However, some areas are more prone to high radon levels than others. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a map of average radon levels by county, which can give you an idea of the likelihood of high radon levels in your area. 

The EPA has identified several “Radon Zones” throughout the United States, where homes are more likely to have elevated levels of radon. These zones are based on data collected from radon tests performed in homes throughout the country, and are divided into three categories: Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3.

  • Zone 1: This zone has the highest potential for elevated radon levels, with an average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. This zone includes counties in states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and several others.
  • Zone 2: This zone has a moderate potential for elevated radon levels, with an average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L. This zone includes counties in states such as New York, Illinois, and several others.
  • Zone 3: This zone has the lowest potential for elevated radon levels, with an average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. This zone includes counties in states such as Arizona, California, and several others.

It’s important to note, just because a home is located in a Zone 3 area does not mean it is completely safe from radon exposure. Radon levels can vary from home to home, even within the same neighborhood. It’s always best to have a radon test performed in any home you’re considering buying, regardless of its location. Here is a link to the map on the EPA’s website or you can contact your state radon office.

How to Test for Radon in Your Home

There are three main ways to test your home for radon: hiring a home inspector, a certified radon measurement professional or using a do-it-yourself radon testing kit.

If you choose to hire a professional, be sure to select someone who is certified by either the National Radon Proficiency Program or the National Radon Safety Board. These certifications ensure that the individual has the knowledge and experience necessary to accurately measure radon levels in your home.

If you prefer to test your home on your own, radon testing kits are available for purchase at most hardware stores or online. When selecting a kit, be sure to choose one that is approved by the EPA and includes both short-term and long-term testing options. Short-term tests typically take between two and seven days, while long-term tests can last up to 90 days. We recommend AccuStar as a great resource for DIY kits.

Regardless of the testing method you choose, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure accurate results. You should also test your home for radon on a regular basis, especially if you have made changes to your home’s heating or ventilation systems, or if you have experienced structural changes such as a new addition to your home.

What to Do if Your Home Has High Radon Levels

If your home has high radon levels, there are several options available to you to reduce your exposure to this harmful gas. The most common approach is to install a radon mitigation system, which typically consists of a ventilation system which draws radon out of your home and vents it outside.

The cost of a radon mitigation system can vary depending on the size of your home, the complexity of the system, and other factors. However, in general, the cost of mitigation ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. While this may seem like a significant expense, it’s important to remember radon exposure can have serious health consequences, so the cost of mitigation is a small price to pay for your health and safety.

If you are in the process of buying a home and the radon test results come back high, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to either install a mitigation system or reduce the price of the home to cover the cost of installation.

It’s important to note not all homes with high radon levels need to have a mitigation system installed. In some cases, simple changes such as sealing foundation cracks or improving ventilation can be enough to reduce radon levels to safe levels. It’s always best to consult with a certified radon professional to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Should I Walk Away from a House with Radon?

If you’ve had a radon test performed on a home you’re considering buying and the results come back with high radon levels, you may be wondering if you should walk away from the sale. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the level of radon, the cost of mitigation, and your personal risk tolerance.

First, it’s important to understand, no level of radon is completely safe. The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon levels in your home if they are at or above 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). However, even levels below this threshold can still pose some risk.

If the radon levels in the home you’re considering are above the recommended threshold, you should consider the cost of mitigation. As mentioned earlier, the cost of mitigation can vary, but in general, it can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If the cost of mitigation is more than you’re willing to pay, or if the seller is unwilling to negotiate on the price of the home to cover the cost of mitigation, it may be best to walk away from the sale.

However, if you’re willing to invest in radon mitigation, it’s important to understand this process can be very effective in reducing radon levels to safe levels. With the installation of a mitigation system, you can significantly reduce your exposure to radon and enjoy a healthy, safe home.

Ultimately, the decision to walk away from a home with radon levels above the recommended threshold is a personal one which depends on a variety of factors. It’s always best to consult with a certified radon professional to discuss your options and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Conclusion

Radon is a serious health risk and should not be overlooked when buying a home. It’s important to have a radon test performed in any home you’re considering buying, regardless of its location. If high levels of radon are found, it’s important to take action to reduce your exposure to this radioactive gas.

If you’re buying a home, consider hiring a professional home inspector to perform a thorough inspection, including a radon test. A professional home inspector can also identify other potential safety hazards in the home, such as electrical or plumbing issues.

In addition to hiring a professional home inspector, it’s important to educate yourself about the risks of radon and how to protect yourself and your family. This includes learning about the symptoms of radon exposure, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and knowing when to seek medical attention.

By taking these steps, you can make an informed decision when buying a home and ensure you and your family are protected from the potential dangers of radon. Remember, a safe and healthy home is a happy home.

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Drone Deliveries 2022

I’ve written about drone deliveries in the past and wanted to share this cool update! 

There are lots of rural parts of the US that rely on products & supplies being delivered. Spright has developed a drone to help with the specific needs for hospital supply transport. That way, if a hospital is an hour away that has the supplies needed, the supplies can be placed in a drone and delivered quicker than if transported on the ground. 

Initial tests are being done now in Kansas at the Hutchinson Regional Health System. Just how big is this drone and what supplies can it carry? For starters it can carry: vaccines, blood, lab samples, medications, various other medical supplies. This improves quality of care for patients because nurses aren’t leaving to make a supply run. This initiative also helps reduce their carbon footprint. It’s a win win!

Right now Spright has a network of 300 bases at hundreds of hospitals across the US.

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Dryer Lint…When Did You Clean It Last?

Almost 3000 fires are reported every year due to dryers. This accounts for $35M in property loss, 5 deaths and 100 injuries each year. This is why you should clean your lint trap before every use and also get your ductwork cleaned yearly. 

For more information:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/clothes_dryers.html

You may also read this topical fire report PDF:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v13i7.pdf

Fire safety in the home is paramount. Check back for information coming later about fire alarms.

*The FEMA website has provided the information listed above. Please check out their website for more detailed information and to learn more about fire safety with home appliances.

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Winter Checklist for Home Inspections

Happy New Year! Winter is in full swing and here are some important tips & tricks for home maintenance during these winter months. Have questions for our inspector about your home? Fill out the form below or click the chat button to speak with us and we can help. 

Have questions for our inspector about your home?

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Drone Deliveries Part 2

Before we discussed the different things happening in the world of drone deliveries from the hospitals in North Carolina all the way over to Dubai and China. Just this past week UPS has applied for their part 135 certification which would allow them to start delivering packages via UAV’s (drones). If they can pull this off and word on the street is they are hoping too before the end of the year they will ‘have one of the first fully-certified, revenue-generating drone operations in the United States’ according to the article in UAS Magazine.
Scott Price the UPS Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer had this to say “UPS is committed to using technology to transform the way we do business, UPS’s formation of a drone delivery company and application to begin regular operations under this level of certification is historic for UPS and for the drone and logistics industries.”
Drone deliveries aren’t just a things here in the states as we spoke about in our last blog post and last month there was a VTOL (vertical takeoff & landing drone) that completed a 50 mile delivery in 28 minutes over in the Bahamas. The drone flew over both land & water and is able to transport perishables, mail, mechanical parts, and medicine.
Head to the FAA website for rules & regs regarding part 135 operations but basically it applies to air carriers & operators. Under this part 135 certification, UPS will be allowed to fly over people, fly at night and also fly beyond visual line of sight (bvlos.) These three factors are big in the UAV community right now because these are big no no’s for any other drone operators. It can be a very hard and lengthy process to receive any of those waivers.
Morgan Stanley has stated that by the year 2040 autonomous urban aircrafts could be a $1.5 trillion market! Crazy!!!
Let’s face it, drones are here to stay and every day we are discovering more and more reasons they are useful. Drones can free up those in mundane jobs to be more creative and think outside the box. Let’s get the creative juices flowing and start preparing for the drones of the future!

UAS Magazine : http://www.uasmagazine.com/articles/2050/with-ups-flight-forward-drone-delivery-operations-near-reality

Verge Magazine : https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/23/20707470/ups-drone-delivery-faa-certification-approval

Morgan Stanley : https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/autonomous-aircraft

FAA Part 135 : https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/sas/135_certification/cert_process/

Fox News : http://www.fox5ny.com/news/drone-makes-first-commercial-delivery-in-the-bahamas

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Drone…deliveries?

By now you’ve probably heard about drones making waves in the news by becoming modes of delivery. When I say delivery I’m not only speaking about packages! In Dubai, Chinese company EHang debuted their taxi drones, which can carry people!! EHang has been in business since 2014 and they have an interesting story. (*Check out this video from YouTube to learn more about their story, see the drones in action etc. We do not own this video nor its content but we thought it was really cool and gives good details about the company: https://youtu.be/zAQDFK-Ic0E )

Recently EHang partnered with DHL (the American founded German international courier company) to create a drone specific for carrying a delivery to parts of China. EHang created the Falcon Drone – which sports 4 arms and 8 rotors. In this particular part of China a road delivery would normally take around 40 minutes but with the Falcon the delivery time is cut down to 8 minutes.

As we keep delving and moving forward with drone technology we will start to see more and more things like this. Best to take it in stride and ride the wave to see where it goes. Every day we hear how close big companies like Amazon and Uber are to integrating drone technology to enhance their current services.

Does this drone delivery idea make you uneasy? Comment below and let us know how you feel! Are you excited about the opportunity? If you have questions about drones please refer to our blog post with drone FAQ’s.

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UAV FAQ’s

We get a ton of questions regarding our UAV’s and we thought we would compile a list to help everyone! If you have a question you don’t see here make sure to email, message or comment with the questions and we can answer it and add it to our list.

  • Do you need a license to fly it?

A:  You don’t need a certification to fly for hobby purposes but if you are going to use it for commercial purposes or for any compensation or furtherance of a business, then YES you do need to become part 107 certified. (see our blog about Hobbyist Vs Part 107 HERE)

  • How fast does it go?

A: There are several types of drones and all have varying speeds.  The maximum average speed of a drone is around 45mph.

  • Can you take off from anywhere?

A: This is where things get a little tricky. You cannot take off from private property without permission, but you can take off from anywhere public. Depending on the state you live in and the ordinances of the towns, the areas you can launch from may differ. For example, some states prohibit launching from state owned parks, National parks are prohibited. However, if you launch from a public road and fly over these areas that is perfectly legal.

  • Can you take pictures of me from my house?

A: Technically, if someone launches from public property and they fly by your house and your shades aren’t drawn they can legally take a photo of you.  You can read the ‘Photographers Rights’ that have been around forever that break down this very thing. But remember, if you have a smartphone – your privacy has probably been invaded wayyyyy more than you probably know.

  • How far away can you fly and how high can you go?

A:  Some drones can go up to 4-5 miles away!  But there are still UAV laws in place where UAV’s cannot go beyond visual line of sight.  So even though UAVs can fly up to 4-5 miles away most of the time they aren’t. Legally, UAV’s can not go higher than 400 ft AGL (above ground level).

  • How expensive is a drone?

A: UAV’s can range from $10-$1M – all depending on the needs of the buyer!

I’m sure there are a million more questions that we could answer but these we found were the top contenders for most frequently asked. Once again, if you have a question comment below or reach out and we would be happy to answer it.

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your week!

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Drone Integration

Drones are starting to make more positive appearances in the news and this is a great start.

In 2017 the FAA rolled out the Integration Pilot Program (IPP). This program brings together governments (state, local, tribal) together with private entities (drone operators or manufacturers) to successfully and safely integrate drones. ‘The program has created a meaningful dialogue on the balance between local and national interests related to drone integration, and provide actionable information to the USDOT on expanded and universal integration of drones into the National Airspace System.’ – FAA website (author unknown)

The 9 IPP Lead Participants are evaluating a host of potential operational concepts like:

  • Fying at night operations
  • Flying over people
  • Beyond the pilot’s line of sight (BVLOS)
  • Delivering packages
  • Obstacle avoidance technology
  • Reliable & secure data links between pilot & aircraft

There are some fields that could see immediate opportunities from this program, such as:

  • Commerce
  • Photography/Videography
  • Emergency management
  • Agricultural support
  • Infrastructure inspections

There are so many practical and useful applications for drones and that’s one thing we love to do is help industries figure out how to create safer & ore efficient workflows. Have questions? Reach out! We would love to problem solve with you!

Interested in reading more about this program? Click here . (All this information was provided by the FAA website.)

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Hobbyist & Part 107…what does it mean?

Hobbyist vs Part 107 certified

First, let’s look at definitions.  We need to give credit to the FAA website for a lot of today’s info.  We went straight to the source for definitions as to not confuse anyone. You may head over to their website to check out all things drone related at www.faa.gov.

Recreational or Hobbyist: flying for enjoyment and NOT for work, business purposes, or for compensation or hire.

Part 107: any use of a drone or quadcopter for furtherence of a business for compensation or hire

Can someone still receive a part 107 and remain a hobbyist?  Absolutely!  Anyone over the age of 16 can take the exam needed for certification.  We recommend that anyone interested in flying drones takes the test regardless so they can understand the laws and practice safely.  You can find all the information for the test on the FAA website or you can do a google search and find a few places offering a training program to help.

The FAA partnered with Kittyhawk to create a mobile app called B4UFLY.  This app is geared towards helping recreational drone operators in knowing where they can/cannot fly.  For more info on this click here

 

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Traveling with Drones

Happy New Year!  We hope you had a wonderful time over the Christmas & New Years holiday.  We escaped to the snowy mountains and had a blast!  Head on over to our AerialScope YouTube page to watch our new Vlog series and watch the latest video while up there!

So, traveling with drones is what we are chatting about today.  We figured, since we are out of town what better way to talk about this subject! You have two options when flying on a plane with drones.  Checking bags (in which a hard case is recommended) or carrying baggage on (a soft case should suffice).

Let’s talk about the heart of our drones, the batteries.  Lithium Ion Polymer batteries CANNOT be checked and they should be drained around 30-40%. Regardless if you check your drone or not the batteries need to stay with you. Some people like to cover the battery terminal with tape for added protection, up to you.  If you’re not sure, just check your airline regulations/TSA to verify.  Another thing with batteries is getting a good plan in place for battery management.  Always have extensions cords with you and have a plan for how you want to charge your batteries.  There isn’t always a place to plug in so keep that in mind.  Lots of dronies use generators as their supply so they don’t have to go very far.

We like to have a small repair kit with us when we travel.  Honestly, you should have this on you at all times anyway – you never know when you might be needing to make some quick repairs!

It’s also a good idea to pack extra propellers – this is good practice for anywhere you go you just never know when you are gonna need new props.

It’s always a good idea to see what the FAA recommends in terms of flying with your drones. To read what they suggest click here

Happy flying!