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Iowa Radon Abatement: A Guide to Radon Reduction

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Getting Rid of Radon Gas in Iowa

Radon gas is a dangerous radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Iowa is known to be the state with the highest average levels of radon gas. It is also naturally-occurring. It is created through the decomposition of uranium and rises through the soil into homes, businesses, churches, and schools through cracks in the foundation. Radon gas can cause health issues, including lung cancer. Radon gas is the second most leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It takes the lives of 21,000 people per year.

Radon Abatement in Iowa from Ameriserv

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The best and only way to tell if your home has high levels of radon is through radon testing. If your home is found to have high enough levels of radon, radon abatement is the next step. There are a variety of ways to decrease high levels of radon, in fact, the EPA cites 13 different methods to lower radon levels. The basic idea is to ventilate the home so that radon gas can escape, where it then becomes harmless. We here at Ameriserv can use sub-slab suction, which is one of the methods that the EPA cites. It is one of the most successful forms of radon abatement, reducing radon levels from 50 up to 99 percent.

If your home, business, church, or school is found to have high levels of radon gas, do not hesitate when considering radon mitigation. Do not wait until someone is sick. Contact us today to learn more about our radon testing and radon mitigation methods. Our service area covers all of Iowa, including Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Carroll. We are fully licensed and insured for all projects in Iowa. We want to hear from you! Give us a call today!

Iowa Radon: Knowing Fact from Fiction

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The Truth about Radon in Iowaradon testing, mitigation, iowa

Did you know that Iowa is known to have the highest average levels of radon in the United States? Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive, colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that can reside in Iowa homes. Radon gas is the product of decomposing uranium in the soil. It travels up through the soil and into homes through cracks in the foundation. Though even low levels of radon gas can cause problems, high levels can lead to health issues such as lung infections and even lung cancer. Radon gas is thought to be the cause of up to 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. It is almost completely undetectable, except through radon testing.

Regular radon testing is the best way to be safe from the effects of radon gas. The best times to get radon testing are during home inspections, especially before buying a home, but testing once a year is best. It is not just homes that can be effected, either. Homes, businesses, schools, churches; any structure can be effected. If high levels of radon are found, radon mitigation is the next step. Just like any other danger in your home, you want to find a way to get rid of it as soon as possible without anyone being harmed. Well, it is the same with radon gas. Rather than waiting until someone is sick, get radon mitigation right away.

Radon Mitigation in Iowa from Ameriserv

The best way to rid your home, business, school, or church of radon gas is through radon mitigation. You can also seal any cracks or holes in your foundation to prevent future radon gas getting into your home. Radon mitigation is a process through which a series of vents and fans are installed to clear out radon gas and lower radon levels. Some new construction homes in Iowa are even pre-installing radon mitigation systems to prevent high radon gas levels.

Ameriserv can offer Iowa homes, business, churches, and schools with both radon testing and radon mitigation. We want you to be safe, happy, and healthy in your Iowa home, so make sure to get regular radon testing. Contact us today to learn more about radon gas, radon testing, and radon mitigation. Our service area covers a large part of Iowa, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Sioux City, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Give us a call today!

Mandatory Radon Testing in Iowa Schools

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Iowa Schools may Require Radon Testingradon testing iowa schools

For many years, it has been known that Iowa has the highest radon levels in the country. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and radioactive gas that can lead to a variety of health problems, especially with long-term exposure, such as in a home or school. This gas is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, making this a dangerous chemical that should be avoided at all costs.

There has been a debate as to whether schools should undergo regular mandatory radon testing to reduce the risk of exposure for students. Because children are attending school every day, long-term exposure is possible, which has been known to lead to lung-cancer. This is why radon testing is being considered mandatory in Iowa schools.

Radon Testing and Mitigation for Iowa Schools

Some believe the schools will not have enough funding, and that radon testing is a low priority. The price of a radon test for a school is about $700, but this would ensure that schools receive quality radon tests. Many schools say they do not test for radon regularly, if at all. It is up to the people and school boards to decide.

Contact AmeriServ today to learn more about our service area, radon testing, or radon mitigation. We want to answer any questions you have concerning radon, and we will try to help in any way we can. Give us a call today!

New Construction Requires Radon Mitigation Systems in Iowa

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Come to AmeriServ for your New Construction Needs

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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!

The Costs and Benefits of Radon Test in Iowa

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Radon Testing Can Save you Something More Important than Money – It 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!

Radon Detection: The Best Methods in Iowa

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What is Radon?

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. It comes
Radon testing in your Iowa home by AmeriServfrom the natural decay of uranium that is found in soil. It moves up through the ground to the air above and enters homes and buildings through cracks and other open spaces in your home’s foundation. When it does enter your home, it becomes trapped and will build up causing many health problems. It is estimated that radon causes thousands of deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer second only to cigarette smoking.

Why So Much Radon in Iowa?

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). All of Iowa is located in Zone 1 indicating that Iowa home’s have a very high potential for elevated levels of radon gas throughout the entire state. The average radon concentration in Iowa home’s is 8.5 pCi/L which is more than six times the national average. The EPA recommends that homes above the level of 4 pCi/L should have mitigation measures installed to reduce the exposure.

Iowa has such high numbers because the glaciers during the ice age moved over, ground up, and carried rocks from which is now Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario to Iowa. The glacier’s movement pulverized the rocks into smaller chunks, increasing the surface area of the once whole rocks. Since radon is formed by the decaying process of uranium and radium which is found in rocks, Iowa has these high concentrations of radon.

Radon enters the home in many ways such as:

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

Radon Detection in Iowa

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can help with your radon detection in Iowa. The experts at AmeriServ will measure the radon that is in your home and if it is high, will install a radon system to lower your radon that is in your home.

The quickest way to detect radon is through short term testing. There are several methods of doing this. A few of these are:

  • Charcoal canisters – these canisters containers activated charcoal. Radon is absorbed onto the charcoal then measured
  • Electret ion chamber – this method is used to measure radon in water.
  • Continuous monitors – this monitor gives hour by hour measurements 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 and is the best method is you are in need of the results quickly due to a real estate transaction or other reasons for quick results.

Long term testing will last for 90 days or more. The radon in your home can fluctuate throughout the year due to weather conditions, operation of furnaces and fireplaces, and the opening and closing of windows and doors. That is why the long term testing will give a more accurate reading to tell you your home’s year-round average radon level. Alpha track and electret detectors are used for this type of testing.

The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L. If your home is tested and the results come back with a level of 4.1 pCi/L, then this level carries some risk. Mitigation systems installed by AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa can reduce this level significantly even if the level is very high.

The professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has the experience and radon Radon mitigation in Iowa by AmeriServdetection methods to measure your home for radon. If we find that the level is high, we will install a radon mitigation system. We will determine what system best fits your home. These mitigation systems radon into homeredirect the radon gas out of your home. One way to do this is to drill a hole in your foundation or slab that in turn creates a suction point. Then we use a PVC pipe connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is then connected to this system to ensure that the air flow is in the right direction. This is usually installed in the attic of your home. This system is known as a soil suction radon reduction system and does not require major changes to your home.

Don’t let the worry of radon building up in your home cause you to lose sleep. Let the experienced, licensed, certified specialist perform your radon test and recommend the best system for your needs. We are your radon detection experts in Iowa. Contact us today!

 

 

 

 

Radon Screening Levels – What they Mean for your Des Moines Home

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Radon Screening Levels in your Des Moines, IA Home

Radon that enters an enclosed space, such as your home, the
Radon levels in your Des Moines, IA homeradon can accumulate and the levels can become high. Radon is produced by decaying uranium and radium that are naturally found in soil and rock. It is drawn into homes through cracks in the foundation or slab and through unsealed pipes, sumps, drains, walls and any other opening in your home.

The radon levels in your Des Moines, IA home can be tested by AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The smaller the number the safer you are. However, even small amounts of radon is not safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that 4.0 pCi/L is the level that action needs to be taken for indoor air quality. This means that radon levels need to be immediately reduced through mitigation.

Remember though, any level of radon can be dangerous, which is why radon reduction systems are important to have installed. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. To better understand radon levels, here are some examples of comparison:

  • Radon level of 4.0 pCi/L is equivalent to the radiation from 100 chest x-rays
  • Most hospitals only allow people to have four chest x-rays in a year. That is .16 pCi/L per x-ray and .64 pCi/L per year.
  • 1 pCi/L is the equivalent to 2.5 cigarettes a day

Radon Testing in your Des Moines, IA Home

Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa can detect the radon level of your home through short-term testing or long-term testing. Of course the short-term testing is the quickest method. This is done using several different methods. The most common methods short-term testing are:

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

Charcoal canisters and liquid scintillation detectors absorb radon onto the charcoal then the radioactive particles emitted from the charcoal are counted in a laboratory.

The electret ion detectors have a Teflon disc which is statically charged. The ions produced by the decay of radon inside the detector strike the disk, reducing the surface voltage. Then the voltage reduction is measure in a lab and the radon concentration is calculated.

Continuous electronic radon monitors for short-term testing usually provide a more precise measurement of radon than the charcoal canister method.

Short-term testing is usually done when the results are needed quickly such as in a real estate transaction. Radon levels can be affected by the time of day, the varying temperature changes during the day, and the changes from season to season. That is why the long-term testing is more accurate.

Because radon levels can vary from day to day and from season to season, long term testing can be done to get a better ideal of the radon level.  This usually takes 90 days or more and gives a more accurate idea of the year round average of radon levels in your home.

Radon testing and mitigation should be done by a licensed, certified specialist. AmeriServ Radon Testing and Mitigation Service has the specialists you need for all of your radon testing and mitigation needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us to get your home tested and keep you and your family safe from radon. We guarantee all of our work and have a 5-year warranty on our radon mitigation systems.

 

 

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!