FAQ

A: Maybe. Certain circumstances such as stormy weather and wind and rain can cause slightly elevated levels of radon to appear. Abnormally high spikes caused from a fire in the fireplace or other unusual conditions can make the average higher than it really should have been. If you are not involved in a real estate transaction, follow up your slightly elevated result with a second short-term test or preferably a long term test using an alpha-track detector.

A: No. Radon Mitigation Standards require that the fan be installed in a non-livable area of your home. These include the attic, the attic of an unfinished garage or the exterior of the home.

A: The process is actually radon reduction or mitigation. Complete elimination of radon gas in the air of a home with radium under the soil is virtually impossible. The average outdoor radon level is .4 and the average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. Our mitigations typically bring your level to less than 2.0 pCi/L and often times less than 1.0 pCi/L.

A: A radon fan, when not hooked up to a radon system, is noisy from the air blowing through it. It quiets down considerably when installed. However, we take steps to make it even quieter. We use Schedule 40 Cellular Core PVC piping. Not only does this exceed the EPA Mitigation Standards, the cellular core provides a layer of dramatic sound insulation. Additionally, we mount our fans away from any structure using flexible, corrosion-free PVC couplings. These absorb any vibrations and additional sounds. A functioning radon system installed by Household is extremely quiet.

A: An interesting question and one we get all the time. The simple, yet inconclusive answer is "It depends". If a seller is motivated or is simply happy with the price he or she is getting for the house, likes the buyer or many other psychological factors, then the seller typically pays. If the buyer is getting a "steal" in the eyes of the seller, the buyer has been difficult to work with or other factors, then the buyer typically pays. Sometimes both buyer and seller split the cost. However, more often than not, the seller pays for the system.

A: Yes. They vary during the day and night, and from winter to summer, usually higher at night and during the winter.

A: No. Although Radon enters buildings all the time, some is carried away by natural ventilation, even homes with good draft seals and double glazing change their air several times a day.

A: The major risk from radon is an increase in the risk of lung caner, but this is usually confined to miners exposed to high levels over a long period of time.

A: There is no indication that children are more at risk than adults.

A: Measurements show that areas with a high granite concentration, like New England have higher concentrations. But radon is by no means confined to that location, other areas which do not have a concentration of granite have been found to have above-average levels of radon.

A: Washing the walls with a disinfectant may give a temporary cosmetic solution, but it will not likely solve the problem. The key issue with all mold problems inside a structure is to find the source of moisture that is giving the mold an opportunity to grow. Steps to remediate mold contamination in a home or commercial properly depend on the extent of contamination and the species present. HEPA-vacuuming techniques, wet-wiping surfaces with anti-microbial solutions, and sealing the porous materials are common methods of remediation. Materials such as drywall and carpet are often unable to be salvaged and are typically disposed of as general demolition debris. Retaining a professional contractor to perform remediation work is advised because they are able to utilize appropriate engineering controls to prevent contamination of clean areas inside the structure.