WHAT IS RADON?
Radon
is a natural occurring radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over
the United States. It comes from the
natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you
breathe. Radon typically moves up
through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other
holes in the foundation. You cannot
see, smell or taste radon. When you
breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that
radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Currently, Nebraska is rated as having the fourth highest levels
of radon, and Iowa is number one.
SHOULD YOU TEST FOR
RADON?
Yes! Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed
and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Nearly one out of fifteen homes in the
United States is estimated to have elevated levels of radon. Do not rely on radon tests taken in other
homes around the neighborhood. Homes
that are next to each other can have different radon levels. The only way to know your radon level is to
have it tested.
HOW DO YOU TEST FOR
RADON?
Cornerstone
uses only active radon testing devices.
These radon machines are extremely accurate and are calibrated every
year through a certified company. When
testing a home, we follow strict EPA and state guidelines for every test. We place an active radon machine in the
lowest livable space in your home and it will take a reading every hour. A minimum of 48hrs is required for all
tests. At the end of the test,
Cornerstone will provide you with a detailed print out on the radon level in
the home.
REDUCING YOUR RADON
LEVEL:
If
your home was tested for radon and had high levels, it can be reduced. Even
high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Independent contractors can be hired to install a radon
mitigation system which will reduce your radon level. Cornerstone does not install radon reducing systems, as this
would be a conflict of interest.
RADON LINKS:
A GROWING CONCERN
Mold
has become a growing concern in homes today. The presence of
mold in residential buildings is generating a new wave of litigation against
builders, building owners, and property managers for personal injury and property
damage. And, while mold growth in indoor environments is not new, the issue has
generated national media attention and led to the creation of dozens of mold
sites on the Internet. Visible mold growth in a home is never acceptable;
however, the scientific and medical literature contains differing opinions
regarding the potential health impacts of exposure to mold. Moreover, there is
conflicting information about the proper methods for investigating and
remediating mold, which has led to uncertainty and fear in the minds of many.
WHAT IS MOLD?
Molds
are fungi, usually microscopic in size (invisible to the naked eye), that occur
in nature in large quantities. They
reproduce by releasing spores into the air that settle on surfaces and, under
the right conditions, grow. Growths of
mold can often be seen in the form of a discoloration, ranging from white to
orange and green to brown and black. Over
100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified.
Mold can grow on virtually any surface but especially likes moist
surfaces such as leaky basement walls, laundry rooms, bathrooms, crawlspaces
and where water has been leaking.
Although mold spores are too small to be seen, colonies of mold growth
are sometimes visible. The only way to
know for sure is to have your home tested.
MOLD AND THE HEALTH
EFFECTS:
Even
though some forms of mold can add value to our lives, other forms can be
harmful. Mold exposure can cause health risks relating to flue-like symptoms
such as asthma, nasal congestion, coughing, throat and respiratory problems and
even skin rashes and skin irritations. When people are experiencing these symptoms, it is hard to tell if
it is the exposure to mold or other causes.
Everyone is affected differently
by mold. The mold that does not affect
the seller of a property may be a serious health effect on the buyer. You should contact your physician to determine
if you or your family is allergic to mold.
SHOULD YOU TEST FOR
MOLD?
All
homes have mold in the air and dust we breathe, but does your home have a mold
problem. Every time you open a door or
window in your home you are allowing mold to enter. Mold could be hidden in your carpet or behind walls in the
basement. If your home has a musty
smell, previous water damage, leaky pipes or if you are experiencing flue-like
symptoms such as upper- respiratory symptoms, eye irritations, fatigue,
coughing or skin rashes you may have a mold issue and testing is recommended.
TESTING PROCEDURES FOR
MOLD:
Cornerstone
provides various types of mold testing and inspections. We offer visual inspections, air sampling,
swabs and bulk samples. All of our
samples are sent off to a certified laboratory for analysis. To determine which
inspection is right for you, we would need to first evaluate the property. We are certified through The American Indoor
Air Quality Council.
HOW TO REDUCE THE
LEVELS OF MOLD IN YOUR HOME:
To
completely eliminate mold in your home is impossible. It will always be floating around your home in the air and
dust. Every time you open a door or
window it will enter your home. Various types of remediation are used to reduce
the mold in your home. Usually, the
suspect area of mold can be removed and cleaned up. If you suspect a mold
problem, call us and we will investigate for you. Below are some tips to
help reduce the level of mold in your home.
Keep the humidity in your home at a controlled
level, usually around 25-30 percent.
Have all water leaks professionally repaired
within 24-48 hours.
Make sure your attic and crawlspace is
properly ventilated
Have your attic insulation reviewed and
increase to the recommended amount if needed
Have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected
annually
Change the HVAC filter regularly and/or
install a special HEPA filter
Professionally have your HVAC ductwork cleaned
every 3-4 years
Install bathroom ventilation fans and exhaust
the vent to the exterior of the home
For more information about mold, please visit:
EPA Mold Resources
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture
& Your Home
