How and Why You Should Hire a Radon Service Professional

Now that I’ve shared what radon is and why it’s dangerous, today I’ll explain the next step. What should you do if you’ve tested your home and discovered you have dangerous levels of radon?

The first step is to hire a qualified radon service professional. While it may be tempting to do it yourself, a professional knows exactly what to do and how to do it. If you attempt the work on your own, you could potentially create a bigger problem by increasing radon levels. Let’s face it. Some things are best left to professionals.

(Note: When testing your home for radon, you can do it yourself. You can choose to purchase your own radon test kit, or a professional can do the testing. Tests should be taken for at least 48 hours.)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring a certified radon service contractor – you can find a list of certified contractors in your area by checking your state’s radon office.

Get estimates
Once you’ve made a list of potential contractors, get estimates and ask for references. The EPA advises home owners to “Compare the contractors’ proposed costs and consider what you will get for your money, taking into account: a less expensive system may cost more to operate and maintain; a less expensive system may have less aesthetic appeal; a more expensive system may be best for your home; and, the quality of the building material will affect how long the system lasts.”

The EPA has a helpful resource that lists questions to ask a contractor before, during, and after the mitigation process.

According to the EPA, you’ll want to make sure the radon mitigation includes: diagnostic testing before and after installation of the radon reduction system; a warning device that will alarm you if the reduction system isn’t working correctly; and a guarantee that radon levels will be reduced to 4 pCi/L or less.

Sign a contract
When you find a contractor you’d like to hire, sign a contract that matches the original proposal. The contract should include the total cost, warranty details, cleanup details, proof of liability insurance, permit details, the estimated time it will take to complete the job, as well as details of the mitigation process. (The EPA has prepared a handy checklist.)

Check the work
While your contractor is working – and once he or she completes the job – you’ll need to check the work. Fortunately, the EPA has detailed exactly what you should look for in a checklist. Once the work is completed, another radon test is needed to monitor levels.

For more information
To learn more about finding qualified radon service professionals, check with the National Environmental Health Association’s National Radon Proficiency Program or with the National Radon Safety Board.

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Hilary Kimes Bernstein

Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.

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