Category Archives: Radon Mitigation

The Costs and Benefits of Radon Test in Iowa

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Radon Testing Can Save Your Life

You may think that getting radon testing done in your Iowa home, business, church, or school will be expensive, but this is not necessarily true. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer long-term tests, short-term tests, and radon kits.

Long-term tests stay in your home for about 90 days. These tests are administered by our professionals. These tests give an accurate representation of what your home’s radon gas levels are year-round.

Radon testing costs and benefits in Iowa

Short-term tests stay in your home anywhere from 2 to 90 days (depending on the specific device). These tests are also administered by our professionals. These give a result that represents the levels during that time. Radon gas levels may fluctuate throughout the year, and from season to season.

If it is found that your home has higher radon gas levels than the allowable 4.0 pCi/L after taking a short-term test, it is likely that you will have to take another short-term test, or a long-term test, just to be sure.

The last type of testing is a radon kit. These are tests that are administered by you. They are the cheapest, and one of the quickest ways to test for radon gas levels in your home, business, church, or school. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer these radon kits for only $15.00!

Radon tests are the best way to know if your Iowa home, business, church, or school is falling victim to high radon gas levels. Radon gas is a dangerous gas that can not be seen, smelled, heard, or tasted. Because of this, the only way to tell if you are being affected by it is through regular testing.

Radon gas is dangerous because it can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer. In fact, on average about 400 Iowan deaths a year are caused by lung cancer due to high radon gas levels. So, getting a simple radon test could save your life. Paying a little money, and taking a little bit of your time could save your life, so do not wait!

The Side Effects of Radon

The entire state of Iowa is in “Zone 1” which basically means that all of Iowa is likely to have elevated levels of radon gas. In fact, about 5 out of 7 Iowa homes are likely to have high levels of radon gas. Because of this, radon testing in your Iowa homes, businesses, churches, and schools is even more important. Some ways to tell if you could be experiencing the side effects of radon gas include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

These are also early signs of lung cancer, so if you experience these health problems, make sure to consult your doctor immediately, and get your home tested by us here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa. If we test your home and your results come back as high levels of radon gas, we offer a mitigation service to install mitigation systems.

To learn more about our radon testing or mitigation services, our service area, or to schedule a radon test, give Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa a call! We want to help you feel safe and healthy in your Iowa home. Contact us today!

Everything You Need to Know About Radon

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What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms What to know about radonnaturally from the decay of uranium that is found in rock, soil, and water. Once it is produced, radon moves from the ground into the air. Some of it remains below the surface and dissolves in the water that flows underground.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only second to smoking. When it moves up through the ground to the air above, it can get into your home through:

  • Cracks in floors
  • Cracks in foundation
  • Construction joints
  • Gaps in floors
  • Gaps around pipes

Once it is inside your home, it builds up and becomes trapped. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get into your lungs from the air you breathe. As they keep breaking down, the particles release small bursts of energy which can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Breathing radon does not cause any of the short-term effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches or fever.

Radon Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the action level for radon is 4 pCi/L. However, any level of exposure is unsafe. Since there are no warning signs that you have a build-up of radon in your home, testing is the only way to know if you are at risk. Testing is inexpensive and only takes a few minutes.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa does both short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the quickest was to detect radon. This is done when the results need to be determined quickly such as in a real estate transaction. The methods of doing this are:

  • charcoal canisters
  • electret chamber
  • continuous monitors
  • liquid scintillation

Radon levels change on a day-to-day basis and season to season. By doing long term testing which lasts 90 days or more, you will get a more accurate idea of what the year round average of the radon level is in your home. We use electret detectors or alpha track detectors for long term testing.

The electret detectors have a Teflon disc that is statically charged. When an ion generated from radon decay strikes the Teflon disc, the electrical charge is reduced and in the laboratory, the charge reduction is measured and the radon level calculated.

The alpha track detectors have a plastic film that gets etched by alpha particles that strike it. In the laboratory, the plastic is chemically treated to make the tracks visible then the tracks are counted.

If a level of 4 pCi/L is detected, immediately action needs to be taken to reduce the level. pCi/L means picocuries per liter. The lower the number the better, but any level of radon can be dangerous. If your home if found to have radon, AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa can help.

Prevent Radon from Entering your Home

When you have had your home tested and need to get the Radon mitigation in Iowaradon level reduced, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can perform radon mitigation.

Radon mitigation is the process of removing radon from your home to the outside. A hole is drilled into your foundation or slab, which creates a suction point. then we use a PVC pipe connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. Then a fan is connected to this system so that the air flows in the right direction.

Lowering high radon levels requires an expert with the technical knowledge and equipment to handle the job. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has the experts that are licensed and certified who can test and reduce the radon in your home. They are professionally trained by the State of Iowa and certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

We will test your home again after mitigation to be sure that the radon levels have been reduced. Our services include a 5 year warranty on the mitigation systems.

The risks of living with radon can be high. There is more to know about the risks of radon and cancer than most other cancer-causing substances. We know more about this because these risks are based on studies of cancer in underground miners.

The risk to your health from radon depends on how much radon is in your home and the amount of time you spend in your home. If you have not had your home tested for radon, don’t hesitate. The sooner it gets tested and the sooner the radon level gets reduced, the safer you will be.

Radon can be present in all types of homes.  Construction material and the location are all factors that can affect radon levels. If your home tests high for radon, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa will perform professional radon mitigation at an affordable rate.

Radon Mitigation Cost in Iowa

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Radon Mitigation Cost Iowa

If you haven’t tested your home for radon, don’t panic. At AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa, we can test your home’s radon levels. It may be cheaper to test radon levels yourself, but AmeriServ provides accurate testing at affordable rates. We can also perform radon mitigation at your home, if your home tests positive for radon. AmeriServ is your low radon mitigation cost Iowa team.

Radon Mitigation Cost IowaRadon is found all over the United States. It is a odorless, radioactive gas emitted from the natural breakdown of uranium and radium.  No home or building is immune from radon.  Radon enters the house through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, wall cracks, the water supply, and wall cavities. It can be found in any type of building.

Your risk of developing lung cancer depends on the radon levels in your home. The length of exposure time also has a huge factor. Radon gas enters the lungs and emits alpha particles. These particles are absorbed by lung tissue, which causes lung cell damage.

The best way to test your radon levels, it to call AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa. We can test your home at affordable rates. We have short and long-term tests. It may be cheaper to purchase a short-term test at your local hardware store, but AmeriServ can perform accurate testing to assure your family is safe. At AmeriServ, our short term testing includes charcoal canisters, electret chamber, and continuous monitors. Because radon levels vary day to day, the long-term test is the best test. They remain in your home for more than 90 days. We use alpha track and electret detectors. This type of test is more accurate because it measures your levels throughout the season.

If your home is being built, ask about radon-resistant construction for new homes. Find out if the builder specializes in radon resistant construction. Choosing radon-resistant construction, can save you time and money in the long run.

AmeriServ Iowa Radon Mitigation can perform professional radon mitigation, if your home tests positive for high radon levels.  We are your affordable radon mitigation cost Iowa team. Our mitigation team can perform various mitigation techniques depending on your home and the extent of the problem.  High levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. EPA recommends levels below 4 pCi/L.

EPA recommends every home should be tested for radon. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer. At AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa, our professionals can fix your radon problems. We can also perform radon mitigation at your home, if your home tests positive for radon. AmeriServ is your low radon mitigation cost Iowa team. Contact us today!

Radon Detection in Your Iowa Home

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Radon is a radioactive gas that is created from the breakdown of uranium. Since radon is odorless and tasteless, every home should be tested for radon gas. Radon can enter your a home’s structure through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, wall cracks, and gaps in suspended floors. It is a silent killer that causes lung cancer.  At AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa, we can test your home for radon to protect your family. According to EPA, Iowa is  high risk because of high radon levels in homes. We are your radon detection Iowa team here to serve you. We have more than 50 years of experience.

Radon Detection Iowa

Family in autumnHow does AmeriServ test your home? Radon gas can be detected using two different radon testing techniques. At AmeriServ Iowa Radon Mitigation, we can use short or long-term testing. Short-term testing is the quickest way to detect radon gas. These tests consist of charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, liquid scintillation, and continuous monitors. Radon results should be lower than 4 pCi/L. Our professional team can administer these quick tests to make your family safe and secure. We are your radon detection Iowa team.

Long-term testing last 90 days or longer. We use alpha track detectors and electret detectors. This type of test will give you a clear indication of radon levels. It measures your radon levels year around. It is the most accurate testing system.

If you have radon levels above 4 pCi/L, your home is considered a danger zone. We recommend radon mitigation for your home. Any amount of radon, is considered unsafe. We take accurate tests to make sure your family is safe. AmeriServ is your radon detection Iowa team.

Radon Detector Iowa

Radon mitigation is a process that removes radon gas from your home. Our AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa team can install a radon mitigation system in your home. After our professionals confirm high radon levels in your home, we can determine the best system that your home needs. We can control the direction of the radon gas so it is redirected out of your home. This involves using a PVC pipe. The pipe connects through a hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is used to blow the air out in the right direction.

If you are worried about radon gas in your home, then hire our radon mitigation Iowa team to test your home. We even offer a referral program so you can get paid every time you refer a friend. Tell your family and friends about your great experiences with AmeriServ. We have fast, friendly professionals that care about our clients. Contact AmeriServ so we can be your radon detector Iowa team!

Real Estate & Radon Testing in Iowa

Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing

As a real estate agent, you can be a good agent, or you can be a great one, and knowing about radon is important step to being great. Your clients with be more willing to trust if you are willing to share information with them about radon in the home they want to potentially purchase. AmeriServ can help with your radon real estate Iowa concerns. We are your radon mitigation Iowa service provider.

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Testing

It is so much better than a client finding out later that they have radon in their home, or, what would be worse – finding out a client has lung cancer, which radon is the second leading cause of behind only smoking. For assistance in radon real estate Iowa concerns, we can be your backup, we can help you with this hard task. Contact AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa as your service provider.

What you can do as a Radon Real Estate Agent

You can start by performing a radon test for your client’s potential home. You want to make sure levels are lower than above 4 pCi/L. If you find out the home has high levels of radon, at least you know so you can inform you client and a radon mitigation system can be installed. This can take as little as one day!

Become a real estate agent that is an informer, an educator. Let your clients know about the dangers of radon – the odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally with the decay of radium and uranium. Let them know how easy it can be to install a system to protect their family from harm. Let them know that you know a licensed and insured team that can help put their mind at ease with all their radon real estate Iowa concerns – the team at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa. We can work with you by providing a consultation to your clients and together we can inform them of the dangers of radon gas. Call us today!

Iowa Radon Mitigation and Testing for New Homes

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Radon in New Homes

Living RoomWhat is the first thing you should do if you found radon in your new home? First, AmeriServ Mitigation Iowa will come to your aid. For Iowa radon mitigation and testing for new homes, we provide the best mitigation service. Many new homeowners never consider testing their  house for radon. Homeowners have many options to consider like how many  bedrooms their house should have and the size of the basement. Homeowners never think about a silent killer lurking in their home.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It  is a radioactive gas that is produced from uranium found in rocks and  soil. As the uranium breaks down, radon emits particles in the air that  we breathe. As we inhale these particles, it alters the DNA cells. This  can eventually cause lung cancer. Radon is not a health risk if it is  outdoors. It only becomes dangerous when it is trapped indoors.

What are basic steps to follow when buying a new home? First, check your area’s radon potential. Find out if radon is high in the geographical  area. If the homes are built in a high radon location, they should be  built with radon resistant features. Second, install a radon reduction  system. Your builder should install a radon reduction system. Obtain free  copies of the EPA’s Model Standards. Make sure your builder knows the radon-resistant materials. Third, remember to test your home. Every new home should be tested. The test kits can be purchased at your local  hardware store. If radon levels are still high, Environmental Protection Agency recommends a second  test before fixing a radon problem because radon levels naturally  fluctuate. Radon levels at 4pCi/L are considered to be dangerous.

Radon mitigation is a process that removes radon levels in your home to  the outside. We can install a Iowa radon mitigation system in your home. After  your home tests positive for radon several times, we will find a system  that fits your home. There are several techniques to redirect the radon  gas out of your home. We create suction points by drilling a hole in the  foundation. A PVC pipe is connected through this hole to use as a vent  for the radon gas. A fan is used to increase air flow in the right  direction. The mitigation system is usually installed in the attic.

At AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa, our professionals are your Iowa radon mitigation service. We will test your mitigation system. For Iowa radon mitigation and testing for new homes, call us today. We will provide you with the radon removal  process that your home needs.

Choosing an Iowa Radon Company

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Iowa Radon Company

Radon is a concern for many homeowners and businesses in the state of Iowa. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked all of Iowa as high risk for high levels of radon. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can cause cancer. With radon, you can not see it, smell it, or taste it and that is why it is such a worry. If your home or business has radon and you breathe it over a long period of time, it becomes a health risk. It is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and smokers.

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium and radium in soil, rock and water. Air pressure is lower in your home than the pressure in the soil around your foundation. This difference in pressure acts like a vacuum by drawing the radon in through the foundation cracks and openings. The radon gets trapped in your home and builds up causing the problems. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has found it in new construction of homes and businesses, as well as, older construction. The first line of defense is to get your home tested by a reputable Iowa radon company to make sure the levels are less than 4.0PCi/L. Testing is the only way you will know for sure if you, your family or employees are at risk from radon.

When choosing an Iowa radon company, you will need to make sure the company and staff are fully licensed and insured. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa has the staff that can answer your questions and concerns. Their team is trained by the State of Iowa and certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. They use the latest technology in radon mitigation to test your home and solve your radon issues. The qualified staff of AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can install systems in new construction to prevent radon entering your home from the beginning.

If you are considering doing home improvements, this might be the time to have your home tested and have mitigation solutions installed in your home. As a real estate agent, you should inform your clients of possible testing by an Iowa radon company that could be done before selling or buying a home. School radon testing can be done by the experienced staff at AmeriServ Iowa Radon Mitigation. If radon can get into your homes it can get into your schools. Children’s lungs are still developing and the danger is much higher for them than an adult. The technicians are qualified to test for radon in the schools in your area and create a solution to lower the levels of radon.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa is the Iowa radon company to choose for your testing and radon mitigation. They are highly trained, professional, and guarantee their work. Give them a call about your concerns and let them solve your radon issues that influence your quality of life for you and your family.

Iowa Radon Map: What it means for Iowa Residents

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Iowa Radon Map

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the state of Iowa a level of high risk for the gas radon. As you can see by the map to the right, all of Iowa counties are in red. Red is the highest level of predicted average indoor radon screening level that is greater than 4 pCi/L. High levels of radon in your home, business or school can cause lung cancer according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Since radon gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, you can see why it is such a dangerous gas. With the help of a qualified company like AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa, you can have your home tested to make sure the levels fall below the recommended amounts.

Why does Iowa have such a high levels of radon? During the Ice Age glaciers moved over the land breaking up and carrying rocks from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario to Iowa. With the movement of the glaciers these rocks got smaller and smaller increasing the surface area allowing radon to escape easier. Over more time the rain, freezing, thawing, plant roots, and exposure to oxygen, break down the rocks even more creating more surface area for the radon to escape. So all of these crushed up rocks filled with uranium and radium now cover the state of Iowa.

All across Iowa homes, businesses and schools have been built on soil that has radon in it. The pressure in the house or building is lower than the pressure around the foundation. The difference in the pressure works like a vacuum drawing the radon into your home through any cracks or openings. Your family now is breathing the radon gas and their health is a risk of getting lung cancer.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa is the company to call to have your house or business tested for any levels of concern. Checking the Iowa radon map above will make you want to take precautions to protect your family. Our company can install a vent system and fan to pull the radon from beneath your house to the outside. We are your radon mitigation Iowa service provider. This is great since there is no major changes to your house or landscape. Cracks in the foundation will need to be sealed to prevent radon seeping into your house. When the levels are high, you will need to find a trained contractor that has the knowledge and skills to study your home and plan the treatment that is best for your situation. As a homeowner, you should also get references and maybe more than one estimate. Once the work is done, be sure to set up a retest at a later date. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa is a trusted and reliable company that can take of your radon concerns.

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Things to Know about Radon when Selling your House

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Radon mitigation and radon testing for selling a home is a very important thing to make sure is completed before you try and sell your home.  This deadly gas has been found in homes all over the county and can be quite a problem in some homes without the homeowner even realizing it. Whether your home is new or old, the same problems can be present. Because this gas is emitted from soil and rock and even water, it can affect the air that you breath and can end up causing lung cancer if not found quickly. It is reported that this radioactive gas is the second most cause of lung cancer. AmeriServ, we can be your radon mitigation Iowa service provider.

When you decide to sell your home, be aware that most home buyers will want to see some type of radon testing report to make sure they are not purchasing a home that is going to put them at risk. The testing should be done in the lowest level of the home that will most likely be used by a family as living space as this is where they will be spending the most time. Two short-term tests should be conducted at the same time for 48 hours when needing to get a quick result for selling your home.  Once the test is completed, getting it to a testing lab quickly will get the best results. If high levels of radon are detected, getting the problem resolved quickly is very important.

Some ways that radon can be mitigated in the home are to make sure there is proper water drainage in your basement area and also to seal the basement foundation. Another method that is used is active soil depressurization which uses a fan to pull out the gas from under the foundation.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa is a company you can trust when it comes time to test your home for radon and/or to get rid of it if it is detected. Call AmeriServ today for you radon mitigation Iowa and radon testing needs today.