Cold Weather is the Perfect Time to Test Your Home for Radon

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Iowans are no strangers to winterizing their homes. Inspecting your roof, cleaning your gutters, pruning your trees, and improving insulation are great ways to prepare your property for the coldest months of the year. This year, add calling radon testing professionals to your winterizing list to ensure your home is the safe and comfortable environment your family deserves. 

What is Radon?

Radon is an inert, naturally occurring gas that is colorless and odorless. Trace amounts of radon constantly surround you in the atmosphere, but too much radon gas can pose severe threats to your health. Most radon exposure occurs inside buildings, including places like your home, workplace, or school. 

Why is Testing Important?

residemtial radon testing in winter

Over time, exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.” There are an estimated 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths annually in the United States. In fact, the EPA notes that “only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.” 

You go to great lengths to keep your family safe. You weigh safety features in cars before making purchasing decisions. You make healthy meals to nourish your loved ones. Making sure your home has safe levels of radon is one more way to encourage health and safety for your family. 

Why Test for Radon in the Winter?

There’s never a bad time to test your home, business, or school for radon. However, experts recommend testing your home during the colder months. When the temperature drops outside, you shut your windows and doors to maintain warmth in your home. One way many Iowans prepare their homes for winter is to install weather stripping. While weather stripping is a great way to keep heat in your home, it also traps radon gas. With radon trapped in your home, it can accumulate to unsafe levels. 

The longer your home, school, or business remains shut, the higher the levels of radon will be. Prolonged exposure can be a health hazard, so testing to determine how much radon you and your loved ones are exposed to is crucial to maintaining safety. 

Radon Mitigation Systems and Keeping Your Home Safe

When you need radon testing, you need a company you can count on for accurate results. Not only can AmeriServi provide you with accurate test results, but we also offer solutions to help you lower radon levels if your home, school, or business is found to be unsafe. We have years of experience installing and servicing radon mitigation systems to help keep Iowa families safe and healthy. 

As you prepare to gather with family and friends during the holiday season this year, take the time to test your home for radon. AmeriServ offers convenient, affordable testing to give you peace of mind that your loved ones are safe in your home. Ready to get started? Give us a call today, or complete our online contact form and a representative will reach out to you soon.

Get Your Home Tested During National Radon Action Month

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January is National Radon Action Month. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that “the aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public’s awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices.”

Why January?

Radon is a completely odorless and colorless radioactive gas, making it impossible to detect without proper testing methods. Radon occurs due to the natural decay of uranium that’s found in virtually all soils. Typically, radon moves up from the ground to the air above. Radon is able to get into buildings through any small cracks or holes, and once inside a building, the radon becomes trapped.

What makes January the perfect time to boost radon awareness and action?

With cold weather, windows and doors are usually more tightly sealed than at any other time of the year. This makes it easy for professionals to accurately test for radon and to determine precisely what level of radon is present in your home.

At Ameriserv, we offer comprehensive radon testing and mitigation solutions in January, and throughout the year! Our experienced professionals can quickly and effectively test for radon in your home,

What Makes Radon Testing so Important?

As previously mentioned, you can’t smell radon. You can’t see it, and you can’t taste it. According to the EPA, radon is responsible for the death of thousands of Americans every year. Without proper radon testing, there’s no way to know whether there’s danger lurking in your home.

With quick, yet thorough, testing from Ameriserv, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe from radon and the various health hazards it poses.

Is It Possible to Eliminate Radon?

If unsafe levels of radon are present in your home, it’s important to take action as quickly as possible. According to the EPA, some radon reduction solutions can eliminate radon levels by up to 99%.

At AmeriServ, we’re committed to keeping your family safe and healthy. Our comprehensive radon mitigation solutions reduce radon levels in your home to a safe level, giving your family a healthy environment in which to live.

Play it safe and get your home tested for radon this January!

Real Estate Radon Mitigation

What You Need To Know About Radon & Real Estate Transactions In Iowa

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What You Need To Know About Radon & Real Estate Transactions In Iowa

Buying a home is a large investment, and as a home buyer, you want to make sure that your purchase will provide a safe space for your family. You may have heard of radon but aren’t sure how high your risk is or even if you should have your future home tested for radon before buying it. Learn more about radon and real estate transactions below and contact the professionals at AmeriServ Radon with any questions or to schedule your radon test.

What Is Radon?

In short, radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is caused by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. When the gas is released from the ground, it can seep into homes and have harmful side effects such as lung cancer.

Do Homes In Iowa Have Radon?

The EPA has designated that elevated levels of radon can be found in homes of all counties in Iowa. Unfortunately, radon does not discriminate when it comes to the types of homes it can get into and can be found in homes of all ages both with and without basements. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) estimates that over half of homes have high levels of radon that require remediation to protect residents. 

How Do I Know If The House I Am Buying Has Radon?

At this time, Iowa law does not require radon testing for real estate transactions, which means that as a buyer, it is up to you to ask for a radon test before you purchase a home if the seller hasn’t already provided results. The IDPH, EPA, American Lung Association & Surgeon General all recommend radon testing before buying and selling a home. Luckily, radon testing is a routine procedure that licensed radon specialists are able to provide in a timely manner.

How Can High Radon Levels Be Fixed?

If your radon test shows high levels in a home that you anticipate buying, do not panic. As your licensed radon mitigation contractors, we can install a radon mitigation system that will ensure that the radon levels in your home will stay below the EPA’s recommendations. You can then move forward with purchasing your new home knowing that the air quality will be safe for your family. Contact us today to get started!

4 Quick Summer Radon Testing Tips

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4 Quick Summer Radon Testing Tips

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas created by the decay of radium in soil and has been proven to cause cancer in people who have experienced long-term exposure. This is why it is so important to have your home tested for radon at least every other year.

In many cases, homeowners test their home’s air for radon during the winter when radon levels typically spike. However, since radon levels can fluctuate depending on weather and seasonal conditions there is never a bad time to have your home’s air tested—particularly if it has been two or more years since it was last tested. There are a handful of steps that can be taken to make sure a radon test performed during the summer months is as accurate as possible.

1. Test during a scheduled vacation

In many cases, it is best to plan a radon test during a scheduled vacation. This will allow the test to proceed without any interference or excessive changes in airflow.

2. Central air conditioning

The use of central air conditioning to keep your house cool does not interfere with the testing process. However, window air units should be avoided since they tend to cycle outside air into the home.

3. Turn off interior fans

Too much air circulation inside the home may prevent an accurate test. That’s why it’s important to turn off any interior fans and avoid unnecessary circulation of air during the testing process.

4. Close all windows and doors

All windows and doors should be shut at least 12 hours prior to testing for radon. During the test, it is important to leave all windows shut and minimize the use of any exterior doors as much as possible.

By following these simple suggestions, you can be sure that your summer radon test will go smoothly and provide you with an accurate assessment of your home’s radon level. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a radon test for your home this summer, please contact us today.

Why Ameriserv is One of the Best Radon Mitigation Companies in Iowa

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Why Ameriserv is One of the Best Radon Mitigation Companies in Iowa

At Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa, we are experts in radon detection, testing and mitigation for your home or business. We have over 75 years of combined construction experience and our mitigation specialists are professionally trained, certified and insured.

We are a company that stands behind our work and offers a 10 year warranty on radon mitigation systems, as well as free 2 year follow-up tests to ensure that the radon levels are still within a low range.

Our reputation for great customer service is evident in our reviews. We work hard to ensure that each system is designed to fit your needs.

We are so confident that we are one of the best radon mitigation companies in Iowa, that we provide a 200% satisfaction guarantee. What that means for you is that if we are not able to reduce the radon level below 4.0 pCi/L, we will not only refund the cost of mitigation, but also pay for another licensed mitigation company of your choice to fix the issue.

Amerserv takes pride in being members of DMAAR (Des Moines Area Association of Realtors), Central Iowa Board of Realtors, The Better Business Bureau (BBB), Angie’s List, and The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technicians (ARRST).

Contact us today for a free quote and find how we can help you make your home and business safe.

How Often Should My Home Be Tested For Radon?

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing

How Often Should My Home Be Tested For Radon?

Radon gas is both colorless and odorless, which means that there is no way to tell if there are high levels inside your home without testing for it.  The danger of not knowing is running the risk of being exposed to elevated levels of radon for an extended amount of time, which can lead to lung cancer.

Change of Seasons

The change of seasons can affect the level of radon in your home.  If you previously tested your home in the spring or summer, consider testing it in the fall or winter.  Changes in temperature, as well as the opening and closing of windows and doors, can change the level of radon in your home.  Testing for radon in different seasons can help to determine if there are higher levels at different times.

Remodeling or Changes to Your Home

Changes to your home, such as remodeling your basement, installing new windows or getting a new roof are all projects that could affect how much radon is in your home.  These home improvement projects all change the amount of ventilation, which can alter the amount of radon that is trapped inside.

Living Condition Changes

If you have recently decided to utilize your basement as a bedroom or family room, now is the time to get a radon test.  Elevated radon levels can be dangerous and have a big impact on those that spend time in the basement, including pets.  Make sure that everyone is safe by having your home tested.

After Mitigation

Once a mitigation system has been installed in your home, it is important to have a radon test conducted to ensure that the system is working properly.  It’s also necessary to continue to have tests done at least every two years to continue to monitor that things are working as they should.

Test Every Two Years

The EPA recommends testing your home every two years, regardless of whether you have a mitigation system installed. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa provides FREE 2 year follow up radon tests. Contact us today to schedule your initial test or free follow up test!

2019 Torch Award Nominee

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Of Iowa Is Excited to Announce 2019 BBB Torch Award For Ethics Nomination

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AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Of Iowa Is Excited to Announce 2019 BBB Torch Award For Ethics Nomination

From the way we run our business to the way we treat our customers, honesty and integrity have always been part of our DNA. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has taken notice and nominated AmeriServ for the 2019 Torch Award for Ethics. Each year, the BBB Board of Directors chooses outstanding businesses that have upheld the highest standards of leadership, character, and organizational ethics, and AmeriServ’s excellent BBB track record has fueled this nomination. We are grateful for this nomination as part of our 5-year anniversary as a BBB member and look forward to continuing our mission of protecting Iowa communities from the dangers of radon.

January calendar

Celebrate National Radon Action Month by Scheduling Your Radon Test

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Celebrate National Radon Action Month by Scheduling Your Radon Test

January is not only a time to start New Year’s resolutions but it’s also National Radon Action Month. Combine to the two and make it your resolution to have your home tested for radon this year. It is affordable, quick, and can ultimately save your life and the life of your family members. After all, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Below are some quick facts about radon and radon testing to get you up to speed.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs when uranium breaks down in our soil, water, and rock. As it develops, it gets into the air we breathe and can be dangerous at best. It becomes a huge problem when it is trapped in homes, causing constant exposure.

Does My Home Have Radon?

Most homes in Iowa have some radon. In fact, most homes in Iowa have very high levels of radon. The EPA recommends that there be no more than 4 pCi/L, which can occur both in large, small, new, and old homes. The only way to know is through radon testing.

Is Testing For Radon Difficult?

Getting a radon test can be as simple as picking up your phone and calling AmeriServ. One of our technicians can come right to your home and either conduct a short-term or long-term radon test. Winter is a great season to have a radon test since your windows and doors are sealed, giving the most accurate testing.

But Radon Mitigation Must Be Difficult, Right?

If your radon test shows a level higher than the EPA’s recommendation, radon mitigation is a must to keep your family safe. When you work with the radon professionals at AmeriServ, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Our technicians will simply come back to your home to install a radon mitigation system that will keep your levels exactly where they should be. Our systems even come with a 5-year warranty.

You may decide to put off healthy eating or exercise, but radon testing and mitigation are nothing to delay. While it may not seem like a big deal in the immediate future, the adverse health effects can be deadly. Contact us today to cross off your first New Years’s goal and schedule your radon test.