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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can penetrate your home and cause serious health risks to the whole family. Most soils contain uranium that, over time, decays to produce radium and polonium. Eventually, polonium is released with the radon, which creates a high toxicity level in the air and water that it infuses.
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Continue... Radon is a radioactive gas you can’t see, feel, taste, or smell. It starts out as uranium, a heavy metal found in the ground and most rocks on the planet. When uranium decays, it turns into another metal called radium. When radium breaks down, it becomes radon. It can be in the air around you, but it’s usually in very small amounts that aren’t harmful.
Where does Radon come from? Radon is found naturally all over the world, including the U.S. It comes from the radioactive breakdown of uranium that’s present in the soil, rock, water, gas, and building materials. Human beings most commonly come in contact with it in the air and, to a lesser extent, in drinking water.
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that enters the home is several different ways: 1. Cracks in walls 2. Cracks in foundations 3. Loose-fitting pipes 4. Sump pumps 5. Exposed dirt floors 6. Slab joints 7. Porous block walls
1. Cracks in Walls: Homes may contain cracks in walls and floors, though these may not be a serious problem to the home’s stability, other problems may be present. Something that can’t be easily noticed and observed, especially by the naked eye could be working its way through the cracks and crevices.
2. Cracks in Foundations: If you see cracks accompanied by displacement or if you suspect that cracked masonry may be caused by soil settlement or soil pressure, the best strategy is to contact an experienced foundation repair contractor.
3. Loose-fitting pipes: PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a versatile material used for pipes, tubing and fittings for transporting liquids. It is suitable for applications where the temperature of the liquid does not exceed 140°F, above this temperature it may soften and lose its shape.
4. Sump pumps: A sump pump is your best defense if you have a basement or area that gets water after heavy rains. These pumps are placed in a hole under your foundation and are designed to move large amounts of water directly from your basement into an area where it won’t cause harm or seep into your storm water system.
5. Exposed dirt floors: Dirt contains moisture from the earth. When moisture evaporates, it rises, and creates condensation when it hits cold air ducts in the crawl space. Where there is moisture and humid air, mold can grow.
6. Slab joints: Concrete moves—expands and contracts—with changes in moisture and temperature and as part of the curing process. It is weak in tension, and as it shrinks, the stresses become greater than its tensile strength, resulting in cracks.
7. Porous block walls: The porous block wall is a concrete-based material which are used to manufacture a range of retaining wall products that do not require separate drainage systems, however for extra longevity these are sometimes specified or recommended.
Radon Mitigation Specialist in Knoxville Our radon mitigation systems are installed by drilling a hole in your foundation or slab and connecting a PVC pipe through this hole creating a suction point. Then a fan is connected to this system to flow the radon out in the right direction.
More Information www.radon1.com Email: info@radon1.com Address: 1014 4th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37210