Category Archives: Radon Mitigation

New Construction Requires Radon Mitigation Systems in Iowa

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, Uncategorized, , , , ,

Come to AmeriServ for your New Construction Needs

new construction radon mitigation

A new bill is in the works in Iowa that would make it mandatory for radon mitigation systems to be pre-installed in new construction homes. Iowa is known to have some of the highest average radon levels in the United States, so this bill would help lower radon poisoning across the state. If it goes unchecked, radon can lead to a variety of health problems. Radon gas is known to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

So how does radon gas get into your home? Well, radon gas is a naturally occurring gas that travels up through the earth and through foundation cracks where it gets trapped in your home. Unfortunately, radon is a colorless and odorless gas, so it can not be detected through sight or smell. Radon testing is the only way to tell. AmeriServ does offer a variety of radon testing options to help you quickly and accurately identify if you have radon gas in your home.

Radon Mitigation in Iowa’s New Construction

If it is found that your home contains radon gas, the best way to rid your home is through radon mitigation, which is a system of vents and pipes that expels radon gas. With this bill, a radon mitigation system will be mandatory in all new construction. If the homeowner believes there is radon gas, or gets a positive test for radon, all they would have to do is turn the system on, making radon much less of a threat in these Iowa homes.

If you are in need of a radon mitigation system for your new construction home, or in your existing home, make sure to call AmeriServ. We also offer radon testing for a quick and accurate result. Don’t let radon ruin your life, get regular radon tests, and come to AmeriServ for all your new construction radon mitigation needs. Our service area covers a large part of Iowa. Contact us today to learn more!

Signs of Radon in Iowa

Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, , , , , ,

Signs of Radon Gas in Iowa

Radon is one of the most prominent carcinogens in Iowa. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, the first being cigarette smoking. In Iowa alone, radon causes around 400 deaths every year, and five out of every seven homes in the state contain a radon level above 4.0 pCi/L, which is considered to be dangerously high. It is clear that radon gas is a major concern for homeowners in Iowa. So what should you do to find out if your home has elevated radon levels and to start the radon reduction process in your Iowa home?

Radon Reduction and Signs of Radon in IowaRadon is a radioactive gas that has no color, no taste, no smell, and is chemically unreactive. These properties make radon impossible for the average person to detect on their own. This means that the only way to find out if your home has a radon problem is to invest in radon testing. Though you can buy DIY radon-testing kits, the best solution is to contact a qualified radon tester for professional radon testing. This gives you more accurate results for increased peace of mind.

It is important to understand where radon comes from and how it works. Then you can get an idea of what to do if radon is discovered in your Iowa home. Radon comes from the soil, where it is produced during the decaying or uranium in the ground. As the radon seeps up through the ground, it may enter your home through cracks in the foundation. Radon can also invade your water, especially if your home has well water. For radon reduction in Iowa to prevent these problems, contact Ameriserv Radon Mitigation today.

Radon Reduction in Iowa from Ameriserv

First, you should have your home tested for radon to determine the radon levels in your home. Radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L are considered hazardous. Since radon has no visible or easily detectable signs, the only way to find out the concentration of the gas in your home is to administer a radon test:

  • DIY Radon Testing: This is a less expensive (we offer DIY testing kits for $15) option, and while DIY tests are usually not a completely accurate representation of radon levels in your home, they can give you a good idea of any problems. If your DIY radon test result is positive, it should be followed by a professional radon test.
  • Short-Term Radon Testing: This is a professional radon test that can be administered in 3-90 days, and is usually a good way to find the general radon levels in your home. If your short-term radon test indicates a high concentration of radon, you may want to consider long-term testing.
  • Long-Term Radon Testing: This is the most thorough of our testing methods. Long-term test normally take about 90 days or more, and give you a much more accurate idea of average radon levels in your home throughout the year.

If you have invested in multiple radon tests, and they all indicate high levels of radon, it is time that you considered some radon reduction methods from Ameriserv. In as little time as a single day, we can install a radon mitigation system that will greatly reduce the radon levels in your Iowa home. These systems use PVC pipes and fans to channel radon from low areas such as the basement out of the home, keeping you and your family safe from the dangers of radon.

Contact us right away to learn more about our radon testing and reduction methods in Iowa.

What is Radon Abatement?

Radon Mitigation, , ,

Radon Abatement in Iowa

Radon abatement is a service that we offer to reduce the radon levels in your Iowa home. If you are concerned that your home has elevated levels of radon gas, you should have your home tested for radon. Ameriserv offers short term tests to get a general idea of the radon levels in your home, and long term tests to give you a more accurate estimate of the dangers you are dealing with. Radon can be harmful to the health of you and your family – do not hesitate to invest in radon abatement services as soon as you discover a radon problem in your home.

Radon abatement can be accomplished in a couple of different ways: either by installing a ventilation system that allows radon gas to exit the home through a suction point on the concrete floor slab, or by upping the frequency of air changes per hour in the building. At Ameriserv, we normally opt to install a ventilation system to ensure that the radon is removed from your home. This system is installed by:

  1. Radon Abatement In Iowa from AmeriservDrilling a hole in the foundation or slab to create a suction point for the system.
  2. Installing PVC pipes to form a vent for the radon to travel through.
  3. Connecting PVC pipe ventilation system to suction point.
  4. Putting in a fan to ensure that air flow travels in the proper direction (fan is normally installed in attic)

This system runs continuously to keep radon levels in your home low. Any question about the installation of this system can be answered by the professionals here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation. For radon abatement Iowa services, call us now.

Importance of Radon Abatement for Iowa Homes

Iowa homes are known to have dangerously high levels of radon – each year, around 400 Iowans die due to radon exposure, and five out of every seven homes in Iowa have radon levels that are higher than the recommended safe level.

Because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it is impossible to know whether your home has a radon problem or not without testing it. Invest in radon testing as soon as possible to keep your home safe. In addition to long term and short term radon tests, we also offer DIY testing kits.

Another way to reduce radon levels in your home is to check for any cracks, gaps, or spaces in the foundation and basement walls. Since radon comes from the soil, it often enters your home through cracks in the foundation and foundation walls. Sealing these cracks will lower the points of radon entry in your Iowa home. Contact us for more tips on lowering radon levels in your home.

What to Do When You Suspect You Have Been Exposed to Radon?

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, , , , ,

Radon Exposure in Iowa

Radon Exposure and Health Risks in IowaElevated levels of radon in your home could be a major health concern for you and your family. Five out of every seven homes in Iowa have elevated levels of radon in them. Every year, about 400 Iowans die due to radon exposure, which is the number two cause of lung cancer. This is why it is so important to make sure that your home is free of radon. Ameriserv can help you with all of the tests and precautions to prevent radon from causing health issues for you and your family.

We offer several different options for radon testing as well as radon
mitigation. Our professionals can administer short-term and long-term tests to check the radon levels in your home. We also offer a $15 dollar at home radon detector kit so that you can begin the radon testing process on your own.

By what should you do if you think you may have been exposed to radon? The first step to take if you suspect radon exposure is to look for the common symptoms that are associated with prolonged exposure to high levels of radon. These symptoms include:

  • Lung Infections
  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing

These are a few of the common signs that you may have been exposed to radon. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to seek help immediately in order to prevent any further health problems. Mor information on the health risks of radon can be found on the EPA Radon Guide webpage.

What to Do to Prevent Radon Exposure in Your Iowa Home

Most major health problems associated with radon take several years to develop. That is why it is vital to take care of any radon problems in
your home right away to prevent prolonged exposure.

Radon Mitigation in Iowa to Prevent Health ProblemsThis can be done by first administering radon tests in your home. If you think you have already been exposed to radon, it may be wise to try a short-term radon test. This can give you an idea of the radon levels in your home. If the test results show a high radon level, contact a professional for further testing, or to have a radon mitigation system installed.

Ameriserv can install a radon mitigation system to effectively reduce the amount of radon in your home. To install this system, we drill a hole in your foundation to create a suction point. Next, attach PVC pipe to the hole to act as a vent for the gas. A fan is then used to make sure that the air flow is properly directed. With this system running continuously, radon will be able to exit your home, reducing the health risks for you and your family.

Contact the experts at Ameriserv for more information on what to do if you suspect a radon issue in your home, and check out the EPA Radon Guide for even more information. We offer quality testing and
mitigation services to those in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area.

The Real Cost of Radon vs. The Cost of Radon Mitigation

blog, Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, , ,

The Dangers of Radon Outweigh the Cost of Radon Mitigation

No one wants to spend money on things like radon mitigation. Most people would rather buy a movie, a new phone, a TV, or just go out to dinner. Unfortunately, you need to think twice before ignoring radon and radon mitigation. You have probably heard of radon and its dangers. If you have not here are a few facts about radon. Radon is:

Radon Testing Gurtherie Center IA, Radon Mitigation Gutherie Iowa

  • Radioactive
  • Colorless
  • Odorless
  • Tasteless
  • Naturally occurring
  • Easily inhaled

Basically, it is a dangerous gas that can not be detected except by radon testing. Radon appears when when the chemicals uranium and thorium, which reside in the earth, begin to decay. It is a gas that sticks to dust particles and other surfaces, sometimes radon can even affect your home’s water supply. It has been known to cause lung cancer if it goes unchecked in your home, business, or school. In fact, there are 21,000 deaths per year in the USA due to radon-induced lung cancers. That is a scary thought. Radon may not even effect you until years, or even decades, after you are exposed. Some signs of radon exposure are:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

What is even scarier is that Iowa is known to have naturally high levels of radon. This is because a long time ago there were glaciers that covered Iowa. They melted and left behind rocks that contained uranium and when they broke down and decayed they released the radon gas. If radon occurs in your home, business, or school, it could harm your family, customers, or students and staff. This is why you should consider getting your Iowa home, business, or school tested for the presence of radon. Luckily, Ameriserv can help you get radon testing and mitigation for your Iowa home.

Get Radon Mitigation in Iowa by Ameriserv

By getting regular radon testing you will be able to keep almost constant tabs on your home, business, or school’s radon levels. Radon tests will tell you whether or not the radon levels are dangerous. While any radon is not exactly safe, a level of 4 pCi/L is considered dangerous to the health of a building’s inhabitants. If your radon levels are at 4 pCi/L or higher you will need to receive radon mitigation.

Radon mitigation is a process that removes the radon from your home, business, or school and releases to the outside air where it will no longer pose a danger to you, your family, customers, or students and staff. The actual radon mitigation system is installed into your home, business, or school. There are a few different options, and we can help you, by doing a radon test, pick which option will be best for your structure.

Come to Ameriserv today to get a radon test, and if needed to get radon mitigation. Remember that radon is not something to be ignored. It may be tasteless, odorless, and colorless, but that does not mean it is not there. Radon can seriously harm a person’s health, especially if it goes unchecked. So, get radon testing today, because it is the best way to prevent radon in your home, business, or school. Call Ameriserv today to learn more about our radon tests, radon mitigation, radon mitigation costs in Iowa, or our service area. Contact us today!

Radon Basics in Iowa

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, , , , ,

The Basic Facts About Radon

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that forms from the decay of uranium in rocks and
Radon mitigation in Iowa by AmerServ Radon Mitigationfilling the soil with radon. The entire state of Iowa is in the red zone for radon, meaning that every county in Iowa has the potential for higher than normal level of radon.

Radon can damage lung tissue, which increases the risk of lung cancer. It is estimated that there are 20,000 lung cancer death per year in the United States caused by radon. Radon can enter your home in many ways. Some of these are:

  • Cracks in the walls
  • Cracks in the floor
  • Gaps around pipes
  • Construction joints
  • Cavities inside the walls

Radon coming up through the soil and into your home, will build up and be trapped. The effects of radon can go completely unnoticed for years after exposure. Some of the symptoms that you may have from high levels of radon are:

  • Wheezing
  • Persistent cough
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

Even if you don’t have any of these symptoms, doesn’t mean that you aren’t being harmed by high level of radon. A radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is cause for concern. Even a level of 4 pCi/L can pose a risk. It is important to have a professional come and test your home for radon. The experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation has the equipment and expertise to come and test your home and offer radon mitigation to get this harmful gas out of your home.

Solutions for High Radon Levels in Your Iowa Home

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation can come and test your home through either short-term testing or long-term testing. S

Short term testing is done using several different methods:

  • Charcoal canisters – these canisters containers activate charcoal. Radon is absorbed into the charcoal and then is measured
  • Electret ion chamber – this method is used to measure radon in water
  • Continuous monitors – this monitors hour by hour measurement of radon
  • Liquid scintillation detectors – this method is similar to charcoal measurement except the analysis is accomplished by treating the charcoal with scintillation fluid and then analyzing the fluid using scintillation counter.

Short term testing is usually completed in 2 to 3 days.

Long term testing will last for 90 days or more. Radon can fluctuate through the year due to weather conditions, operation of furnaces and fireplaces and the opening and closing of windows and doors. Long term testing gives a more accurate reading to tell you your home’s year-round average radon level. Long term testing is done one of two ways:

  • Alpha track
  • Electret detectors

If the testing shows that your home is high in radon, AmeriServe Radon Mitigation will install a radon mitigation system. This system is done by drilling a hole in your foundation which creates a suction point. Then a PVC pipe is connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is then connected to the pipe to ensure that the air flow is in the right direction. This system will direct the radon from your home to the outside.

Don’t let radon become a health issue to you and your family. Let the professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation test your Iowa home and offer you the solution you need to get this harmful gas out of your home. Contact us today!

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon in Iowa

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, , , , ,

Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon

Radon causes thousands of lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. The entire
Radon mitigation is Iowa by AmeriServ Radon Mitigationstate of Iowa is in the red zone which means that every county in Iowa is in the highest potential area of the United States for higher than average levels of radon. This is due to the fact that Iowa has uranium-rich soil. Radon is formed when the uranium and radium in rocks decays, filling the soil with radon.

You cannot see, smell or taste radon so you won’t know if your have a high radon level unless your home is tested. It causes thousands of deaths a year because when you breathe air that contains radon, it can cause lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking. If you smoke and your home has high radon level, you have an even higher risk of developing lung cancer. There are several ways that radon gets into your home. They are:

  • Cracks in floors
  • Cracks in walls
  • Construction joints
  • Gaps in suspended floors
  • Gaps around pipes
  • Water supply
  • Cavities inside walls

Once radon enters your home, it becomes trapped and builds up. A radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is cause for concern. Even radon levels less than 4 pCi/L poses a risk. It is important to get your Iowa home tested for radon. The experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation  can come and test your home and offer radon mitigation to keep your radon levels low.

Solutions For High Radon Levels in Iowa

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation can test your home using short-term testing of long-term testing.

  • Short-term testing: This testing remains in your home for 2 to 90 days, using either charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret iron chamber, continuous monitors and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. This type of testing may not determine a year-round average. Many times, short-term testing is done for real estate transactions.
  • Long-term testing: This testing remains in your home for more than 90 days and give a more accurate year-round average of your radon levels. This testing includes alpha track and electret detectors.

If the testing finds that your home has elevated levels of radon, the AmeriServ team can install a radon mitigation system to remove the harmful radon from your home.

The first step in radon mitigation is to drill a hole in your foundation to provide a suction point. Next, we attach a PVC pipe to the hole to act as a vent then the pipe is connected to a fan. The fan allows the air to flow in the right direction, out of the home.

It is important to get your Iowa home tested for radon, and have a professional perform radon mitigation if the levels are high. Protect yourself and your family from health issues related to radon. Let the professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation test your home.

The AmeriServ team is professionally trained by the State of Iowa and is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Don’t hesitate to contact AmeriServ to get your home tested for radon and keep you and your family safe from this harmful gas.

 

PHYSICIAN’S IN IOWA HAVE A GUIDE FOR RADON

Radon Levels, Radon Mitigation, Radon Testing, , , , , , ,

Radon in Iowa is Radon Mitigation in Iowa by AmeriServa health threat. The US Environmental Protection Agency
has provided a guide to the physician’s of Iowa as to the the risks and
consequences of exposure to radon. The radon levels in Iowa are some of the
highest in the country. The entire state of Iowa is in the red zone,
meaning that every county in Iowa has above average radon levels.

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. Radon is
released by uranium-bearing rocks and soil as the uranium undergoes natural
radioactive decay. The gas moves through the soil and reaches the outdoor
air and can accumulate under the slabs and foundations of homes and
businesses. The radon will enter the home or business through cracks and
openings, and becomes trapped inside. This can cause high indoor
concentrations. When this radon is inhaled, it can become a danger to the
lungs. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette
smoking. Here are some of the ways that radon will enter your home or business:

  • Cracks in concrete slabs
  • Floor-wall joints
  • Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-brick foundation
  • Mortar joints
  • Loose fitting pipe
  • Open tops of block walls
  • Pores and cracks in concrete blocks
  • Exposed soil, as in a sump
  • Weeping drain tile, if drained to open sump

Physician’s are well aware of how radon can affect the health of their
patients. That is why they encourage patients to test for radon levels in
their homes. Knowing the levels in your home and having radon mitigation if
the levels are over 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is important. AmeriServ
Radon Mitigation of Iowa can come and test your home or business and offer
radon mitigation if we find the levels to be high.

SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH RADON LEVELS

The professionals at AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa has the testing equipment and mitigation solutions for you in Iowa. We have short term testing and long term testing. The short term testing is used when there is a need to know the results quickly as in a real estate deal. There are a few method of doing short term testing:

  1. Charcoal canisters
  2. Electret ion chamber
  3. continuous monitors
  4. Liquid scintillation

Long term testing will last for 90 days or longer. The benefit of long term testing is that it will give a more accurate, year round average of the radon levels in your home. This prevents false negative or positive results because of a peak or valleys in the radon levels.

After testing, if the levels in your home or business are above 4pCi/L, the experts at AmeriServ will perform radon mitigation. The process of radon mitigation removes radon from your home and expels it to the outdoor air. To do this, we drill a hole in the foundation or slab, creating a suction point. Then a PVC pipe is connected through the hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is then connected to this system to ensure air flow in the right direction. this is usually installed in the attic of your home.

Don’t let radon in your Iowa home become a health issue for you and your family. Let AmeriServ conduct radon testing and give you the solution you need to remove the radon from your home or business.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has a team that has been professionally trained by the State of Iowa and is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Don’t hesitate to contact us for your radon testing and radon mitigation needs. We have the solution for you! Contact us today!