Crawl space repair in NC

Radon in the news

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:48:15 -0500

The state of Illinois has recently passed legislation that is forcing owners of rental units to inform prospective tenants (before a lease has been signed) whether or not the building or unit has been tested for radon. If testing has not occured, tenants can petition the owner to do it, or, simply do it themselves.

Under the new Illinois Radon Awareness Act the seller of property must supply the buyer with two documents before the buyer will become bound on a contract to to purchase the property: "Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions," and "Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards."

While this law covers the seller having to disclose information about radon and radon testing to potential buyers it does not require the seller to do any radon testing or to take remediation steps if high levels are discovered. Any further negotiation on the subject is left to the buyer and seller's discretion. This new law applies to residential properties with "not less than one nor more than four residential dwelling units."

With radon increasingly becoming a national health concern it is important to get your home tested for radon. Purchase a home test kit or contact a radon mitigation company such as Foothills Crawlspace to take care of it for you.

Cleanspace your Crawlspace!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:08:20 -0500

Attention home owners! Have you noticed excessive moisture accumulations or dampness in your crawlspace? Have you caught a whiff of some stale unfamiliar odor down there? Seen mold or mildew spores colonizing your floor joists?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions then sadly your home is one of many that has fallen prey to the South's rampant mold problem. Mold growth is facilitated by three factors that can be found together in your crawlspace: Nutrients (such as plywood, drywall, furring strips, carpets, and carpet padding), Moisture (a necessary component to begin the decaying processs caused by mold), and Time (mold growth requiring between 24 hours and 10 days from the provision of the growing conditions).

Mold and mildew spores are natural hazards to the safety of your home for both structural and health reasons. Mold and moisture, if left untreated can cause wood rot on joists and the underside of floors, and, in some cases, have inverse effects on your families health and well-being (acting as a natural allergin and causing breathing problems for your family).

So what should you do, you ask, if your home is in need of mold or moisture (or even radon!) remediation? Simple: call Foothills Crawlspace. Our dedicated team of technicians and mold remediation experts were come to you home for a free inspection and estimate. We will work with you to craft a specific remediation plan to suit you and your families needs (because we know that no two jobs--like the homes themselves--are alike) while making it effective and afforadable.

Our services include but are not limited to: testing for mold and moisture in the crawlspace, debris removal from under the crawlspace, removing insulation, laying out drainage matting to allow water to run under the home without collecting, installing our Cleanspace material (in a variety of thicknesses from 6-20 mil) on floors and walls, installing a dehumidifier to keep the air under your home dry, scrubbing mold from joists, and fogging with a special solution to kill mold and mildew spores. Because no two jobs are the same please allow us 2-3 days (sometimes more depending on the size of the home) to successfully install our system and make your home mold free.

Testing for radon

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:28:23 -0500

Testing is the only way to know if a person’s home has elevated radon levels. Indoor radon levels are affected by the soil composition under and around the house, and the ease with which radon enters the house. Homes that are next door to each other can have different indoor radon levels, making a neighbor’s test result a poor predictor of radon risk. In addition, rain or snow, barometric pressure, and other influences can cause radon levels to vary from month to month or day to day, which is why both short- and long-term tests are available.

Short-term detectors measure radon levels for 2 days to 90 days, depending on the device. Long-term tests determine the average concentration for more than 90 days. Because radon levels can vary from day to day and month to month, a long-term test is a better indicator of the average radon level. Both tests are relatively easy to use and inexpensive. A state or local radon official can explain the differences between testing devices and recommend the most appropriate test for a person’s needs and conditions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. About 1 in 15 U.S. homes is estimated to have radon levels at or above this EPA action level. Scientists estimate that lung cancer deaths could be reduced by 2 to 4 percent, or about 5,000 deaths, by lowering radon levels in homes exceeding the EPA’s action level.

When should you repair your foundation?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:14:37 -0500

The simplist answer to this frequently asked question is: NOW! Living with a foundation problem (which over time may result in sagging floors and bowing walls and cracks in the wood and plaster of walls and doors) can be extremely dangerous and even costly (with constant spending to repair cracked and bowing walls) and offer only a temporary solution if the foundation is not perminantly repaired. Fixing your foundation's problems at the source immediatly will bring you peace of mind knowing that your family's home is now safe and fully usable.

If your home is experiencing foundation support issues please contact Foothills Crawlspace for a free estimate and inspection. We will work with you to find a solution that is affordable and effective.

Sagging and Bowing: Does your home need a facelift?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:52:52 -0500

If you live in an older home you may have begun to notice that the house has begun to groan and settle and sag unappealingly in places. Are your floors beginning to feel bouncy? Are they sloping to the center of the house? Are they sepperating from the baseboard trim? Do sections of floor look wavy? If you answered yes to any of these questions fear not your home is just in need of a few lifts and tucks and structural upgrades.

While a bit of sagging and bowing to a homes floor or walls is common and even expected over time as a result of gradually applied stress or foundation settling--too many slopes and springs in a floor may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. If you find your floors are sagging and warped and that cracks are beginning to appear in your homes various stress points (in corners, over windows and doors, or where walls meet) and damage that extends beyond the floor and baseboards is a sign of foundation deterioration that should be addressed as soon as possible.

We at Foothills Crawlspace are pleased to provide a wide variety of foundation support systems to our customers from checking for damage to checking the joists and installing SmartJacks and raising sagging floors. If you have foundation concerns in your home please feel free to contact us for a free inspection and estimate.

Radon chart

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:16:49 -0500

EPA estimates that radon causes thousands of cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.

Radon: Facts and Myths

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:13:57 -0500

MYTH: Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.

FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.

MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.

MYTH: Homes with radon problems can't be fixed.

FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs; check with one or more qualified mitigators. Call your state radon office for help in identifying qualified mitigation contractors.

MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes.

FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.

MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.

FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test.

MYTH: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem.

FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.

MYTH: Everyone should test their water for radon.

FACT: Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.

MYTH: It's difficult to sell homes where radon problems have been discovered.

FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is some times a good selling point.

MYTH: I've lived in my home for so long, it doesn't make sense to take action now.

FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you've lived with a radon problem for a long time.

MYTH: Short-term tests can't be used for making a decision about whether to fix your home.

FACT:A short-term test, followed by a second short-term test* can be used to decide whether to fix your home. However, the closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 4 pCi/L, the less certain you can be about whether your year-round average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose some risk. Radon levels can be reduced in most homes to 2 pCi/L or below

Is radon the cause of Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:53:58 -0500

A new study out of the University of Nebraska has raised some new questions (and concerns) in the minds of many researchers. While it has long been known that radon is a deadly carcinogen that is the cause of roughly 21,000 radon related lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. alone (a number that has risen 150% since its original 1994 estimate), it is now being linked to the cause of disease in other parts of the body as well.

Scientists have lately discovered the presence of radioactive radon particles in the brains of non-smoking individuals afflicted with Alzheimers and Parkinsons. The prevelence of radon was 10 times greater than it was in the brains of persons with no previous evidence of neurological disorders. Professor Glenn Lykken and Dr. Berislav Momcilovic, who spearhead the study, argue that their work offers diffinitive evidence that indoor radon gas (which when inhaled can accumulate in lipid tissue throughout the body with the highest concentration in the brain, bone marrow, and nervous system) has the destructive ability to infect the brain with radioactive heavy-metal particles that may act as the seeds needed to grow Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Previous studies, coupled with this one, indicate that radon (once rapidly absorbed into the body via the lungs) does not pass quickly out of the lungs but, instead, lingers harmfully in the body where a fraction accumulates in the brain resulting in increased gamma ray emissions from bismuth-214 (one of the radioactive radon decay products) and altered EEG signals.

Of keen interest was the unexpected discovery that the radioactivity selectively accrues to the brain proteins in the Alzheimers victims and to the brain lipids in the Parkinsons victims. This pathognomonic distribution was inferred to reflect the increase of local chlorine availability to which the radon daughters bound selectively. Once present, the most likely candidate for radiation injury appears to be the highly radiosensitive astrocytes rather than the more radioresistant neurons, which do not divide. Other studies have indicated the astrocytes may be involved in Alzheimer's disease and the amyloid deposits and neurofibrillatory tangling observed with Alzheimer's may well reflect the response to radiation injury of the astrocytes.

Interestingly enough, the geographic distribution of Parkinsons disease mortality is considerably higher in states with greater radon potential, according to research by D.J. Lansak of the University of Kentucky and published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Radon: An Underestimated Risk

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:20:29 -0500

A recently released study from the President's Cancer Panel adds it weight to the growing concern surrounding radon and other such environmental contaminants with long-term harmful exposure risks. The report addresses the threat of radon as a carcinogen in residential structrues and makes a series of recommendations for reducing radon levels (which include changing building codes to require radon reduction features in new construction and implementing tax deductions or other incentives to encourage radon mitigation of current housing, regular testing of all schools, day care centers and work places for radon levels and mitigating those found to exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) radon action level of 4 pCi/L.

According to R. William Field, University of Iowa professor of occupational and environmental health and epidemiology, "Radon is likely our leading environmental cause of cancer mortality in the United States. During the past 50 years, over a million people have died nationwide from radon-related lung cancer." With this in mind the council is calling for the EPA to lower "action level" (the level at which remedial action must be taken) on radon as new scientific studies show greater and greater risks of radon inducing lung cancer in individuals exposed to it.

Contact Foothills Crawlspace, a proud member of National Radon Defense, to handle all of your radon concerns. We will send one of our remediation technicians to meet with you, assess the threat level (if any) radon poses to your home, and work with you to develop a remediation plan that is effective.

Clean The Air Inside Your Home

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:04:33 -0500

In recent years the concern over the quality of indoor air has grown exponentially with the release of new EPA and American Lung Association studies and reports which affirm that indoor air often contains between 2-5 times the amount of certain pollutants as outdoor air.

Because the average person spends 90% of their life indoors (and 65% of that time in their own homes), the threat of indoor air contaminants must be taken seriously. Left untreated your homes air quality can give rise to conditions known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI). Sick Building Syndrome describes a condition with no specific, identifiable cause, but is denoted by acute health and comfort effects which seem to be linked to time spent in a building. Building Related Illness, however, refers to a condition in which symptoms of a diagnosable illness can be directly attributed to airborne building contaminants.

These days our homes air quality is determined not only by the building practices used in constructing them but also the types of materials used. Our modern air-tight homes only compound the problem. Better sealed homes are more apt to trap indoor pollutants within the structure. Coupled with the use of conventional building materials (such as particle board, plywood and some types of foam insulation which can contain formaldehyde), the home owner of today puts him or herself at greater risk of exposure to deadly carcinogens.

Naturally occuring chemical contaminants (such as radon) and biological ones (such as mold, mildew and dust) are other major threats to a home's indoor air quality and have the potential to cause lung cancer, aggravate asthma, allergies and dermatological conditions, cause general problems with breathing, and weaken the immune system.

For solutions on cleaning the air inside your home contact Foothills Crawlspace and schedule an appointment with one of our air and moisture remediation experts.

Health Risks of Foreclosed Properties

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:09:07 -0500

Since the 2008 downturn in the housing market it has been a virtual buyers paradise (for those brave enough) allowing home shoppers to purchase new, old, and foreclosed properties at sometimes well below market value from sellers who are just glad to unload the property.

For those home buyers bargain hunting for foreclosed properties be warned--while many forclosed residencies may offer buyers a great value they may also offer environmental health risks unknown to potential buyers, stemming from long vacancy or lack of maintenance. Some indoor contaminants that purchasers should be aware of (or on the look-out for) are listed below:

Mold – mold can begin to grow in wet or high humidity environments in as short as 24 to 48 hours on many common materials used to build and furnish properties.
Lead - Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and other products found in and around homes and other properties.
Asbestos - This mineral fiber has been used widely in a variety of building construction materials due to its fiber strength and heat resistant properties.
Sewage Contamination – Some neglected properties with sewage damage can present concerns over infectious diseases and microbial pathogens, including E. coli.
Vapor intrusion - Vapor intrusion generally occurs when there is a migration of volatile chemicals from contaminated groundwater or soil into an overlying building.
Radon - Exposure to radon in the home is responsible for an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Formaldehyde – Properties that have been recently renovated may have high levels of formaldehyde in the air due to off-gassing of materials.
Meth Lab – Properties that were once used as clandestine drug laboratories can have a host of toxic chemical residues indoors and hazardous waste outdoors if chemicals were dumped on the property.

Interested purchasers (or those who have already purchased a foreclosure property) should consult with a home inspector about indoor air concerns or contact a remediation company like Foothills Crawlspace to handle any mold, mildew, moisture, or radon concerns they have.

Radon Action Month

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:17:23 -0500

Recent press releases out of New Jersey are reminding everyone of the dangers that radon gas poses to the national health concern. At a December 21st meeting New Jersey mayor Bettina Bieri cited the health risk presented by this invisible radioactive gas that stands as a state/nationwide health issue. The mayor declared January to be Radon Action Month because "it is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers...radon is invisible and odorless it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our own homes. I urge anyone who has not had their home tested for radon to do so."

The NJDEP urges individuals to have their homes tested for radon and (if levels prove high enough to be hazardous) remediated. But New Jersey is not the only state coming to grips with the threat of radon. Radon is present all over the world and, while it exists in higher concentrations in some areas than others, it is still a major health risk for anyone exposed to it.

As a member of National Radon Defense, Foothills Crawlspace is now offering radon testing and mitigation (in addition to our mold and moisture remediation services) to our customers. Give us a call today for a free inspection and test and if your home is found to have radon we will work with you to address these concerns and find the best method for remediating them.

Crawl Space ventilation

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:22:13 -0500

Crawlspace ventilation: something that every home has yet very few homeowners give much thought to beyond opening them in the spring and making sure they are tightly closed come fall. According to local engineers and home inspectors, proper crawlspacle ventilation is something that is important all year long.

A properly insulated home (one with insulation on the underside of the floor) is one in which the vents should remain open as much as possible to prevent moisture buildup in the insulation (as this makes the insulation less effective and traps water against the wood framing leading to wood rot and mold growth). If your home does not have insulation under the floor--as many older houses do not--it is a good idea to close them in colder weather and open them again once the temperature permits.

Most crawlspaces that are properly ventilated should have some sort of vapor-barrier covering the exposed soil in the space. In new homes it is reccomended that 100% of the space be covered while older homes reccomend only 75% of the area. The purpose of this vapor-barrier is to keep the home from drying out to quickly or getting too dry.

New Large Building Protocol for radon testing

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:57 -0500

Of all the attention and consideration given to the threat of radon this past year, perhaps the most significant change in the field of radon testing, was the emergence of a protocol for conducting radon measurment tests in multi-family buildings such as apartment complexes and condominiums.

In years previous radon testing carried out in such locations was done so with the expectation that only 10% of the ground floor units within the complex were to be tested or that only units KNOWN to have a problem with radon were to be worked on (despite the fact that the surrounding units were just as likely to have radon) or even tested. This new Protocol for Conducting Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurments in Multifamily Buildings (aside from needing a snappier name) calls for the need to test all ground floor units in a living complex, 10% of the UPSTAIRS units as well, quality assurance, and quality control devices to assist in assessing the quality of the survey.

With this multifamily protocol being adopted the next step is to develop and adopt further protocols and methodologies for mitigating the levels of radon that already exist in these large multifamily home complexes.

Back to Rutherfordton

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:16:28 -0500

Foothills Crawlspace returns to Rutherfordton when a couple, concerned with mold and excessive moisture in their crawlspace, contacted us to encapsulate the area. The home, a large newer construction on top of a winding hill boasts a large (at least compared to some of the narrower places the Foothills team finds themselves crawling around in) crawlspace with high enough ceilings to walk about only somewhat stooped over.

The first day on the job Foothills unloaded their tools, donned their Hazmat suits and breathing masks, and entered the crawlspace ready to begin the job by removing the insulation from the space. Because of the size of the crawlspace and the type of insulation used the removal process was relativly quick and easy and by the end of the first day all the insulation had been removed, bagged, and taken to the dump. On the second day the team returned to the house with drainage matting and Cleanspace which they qickly cut and laid down over the floors before installing a CSB dehumidifier.

This job is ongoing as the homeowners are having a waterheater removed from the crawlspace before we can complete the encapsulation project so we will keep you updated on progress as we go.

**UPDATE**

Having successfully encapsulated the entire crawlspace now, the Foothills team is sent once more to the Rutherfordton house. The home owners still find water pooling on the ground around the house which is soaking under the foundation and coming into the crawlspace underneath the Cleanspace material. Upon investigation our inspectors find that the continued leakage is the result of leaf-clogged gutters and downspouts. So we dispatched two workers to clean out the gutters around the entire home and dig a a drainage line to pump rainwater away from the homes foundation. This job is now complete and a success.

For more information on having your home tested for mold, mildew or radon (or to have it encapsulated or even de-leafed!) give Foothills Crawlspace a call today!!!

January is National Radon Month

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:34:05 -0500

Tryon, NC – With radon being one of the leading causes of lung cancer today, it’s vital to bring attention to this often-overlooked danger. January is National Radon Month, making it a good time to purchase a home radon test kit or hire a professional radon mitigation contractor. Foothills CrawlSpace, LLC is an expert on radon mitigation and has made a number of recommendations for homeowners during National Radon Month.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is released from soil. Because it is a radioactive carcinogen gas, it can be dangerous to people if it travels up into their homes. Radon is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Luckily, there are ways to lessen the amount of radon in a home, thereby preventing the contraction of lung cancer. Radon mitigation is becoming a common service that a number of contractors can provide.

Foothills CrawlSpace, LLC is encouraging homeowners to test their homes for radon this New Year. Because radon gas is colorless and odorless, it is not detected unless a specific test for the gas is performed. It’s important that each homeowner tests their home for radon before it’s too late.

Radon in a building is measured by picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends mitigating any building with a radon measurement at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter. When a building’s radon levels are found to be unhealthy, a radon mitigation system is specially designed to effectively reduce the levels to a healthier amount. Radon abatement methods can keep radon from entering a house, including soil suction, which draw the radon from below the basement or crawl space floor and push it outside. Some other radon mitigation techniques include sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, and natural ventilation.

Foothills CrawlSpace, LLC is North Carolina’s expert basement waterproofing, crawl space, sump pump installation and foundation repair contractor. Their radon mitigation systems use sub-slab depressurization to reduce radon levels. A PVC pipe collects soil gasses, radon is piped upwards in the building, and then a radon depressurization vent forces radon out of the house.

Foothills CrawlSpace, LLC serves North Carolina, including Asheville, Sylna, Brevard, Forest City, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Greenville and surrounding areas. They have years of experience building and drying basements, and they are members of the Basement Systems international network of basement waterproofing specialists. For more information about this radon mitigation company in Brevard or a free estimate contact them today.

Symptoms of Radon Gas Poisoning

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:46:01 -0500

While radon gas is extremely radioactive and has a half-life of over 3 days it IS undetectable to the naked eye and its accumulation in homes (to health hazardous levels) can take many years. And while radon gas may be present in a home, the ill effects of its presence may not be felt (in the form of lung cancer) until many years later.

In some cases though, the symptoms of radon gas poisoning make themselves known in a form that closely resembles lung cancer. A persistent cough that wont get better, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, chest pains, wheezy breathing, hoarseness and recurring bouts of respiratory infections like pneumonia. These symptoms can develop into lung cancer and, if your home has high radon levels and you begin to experience any of these symptoms it is advised that you seek medical attention immediatly.

If you are worried about the radon levels in your home contact Foothills Crawlspace to set up an appointment to test your home for radon and to discuss the options for mitigation should any gas be found.

Actions to help reduce humidity

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:45:49 -0500

Mold spores flourish in areas of high humidity such as basements, attics and crawlspaces and can become the source of costly problems if steps are not taken to lower your humidity. So if your home is facing mold and mildew concerns or you suspect that your humidity level is too high, here are some steps you can take to lower your homes humidity and reduce your risk of developing mold.

1. Vented appliances such as clothes dryers, stoves, and heaters (all of which produce water vapor that can potentially increase your homes humidity) should, if possible, be vented to the outside.

2. Install and use air conditions/dehumidifiers in high humidity areas such as basements and crawlspaces.

3. Run exhaust fans or open windows when showering, cooking, and running the dish washer.

Hendersonville Job

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:15:41 -0500

A residence in a mobile home community in Hendersonville, NC has recently gone up for sale and the real estate agency contatcted Foothills Crawlspace to remove the insulation from the crawlspace and encapsulate the area. Over a period of several days, the Foothills team crawled around beneath the home, battling spiders and a horde of other small insects in their efforts to remove the insulation (a task made more difficult by the way the insulation had previously been installed--in one long strip that was then glued to the support beams). Next, they cut the drainage matting and unrolled it over the mud and rat droppings. After installing vent covers and sealing them with foam, Foothills cut the 6 mil Cleanspace (a new product offered by Foothills Crawlspace that is a thin, clear, durable plastic) and laid it across the floors and hung it from the walls. After a final day applying sealing tape, installing a CSB dehumidifier, fogging to kill mold and mildew, and washing clean the side of the home, Foothills Crawlspace called it a job and returned to base to await the next one.

How Does Radon Cause Lung Cancer

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:06:55 -0500

As you may already know, radon gas is a toxic byproduct of the decay of polonium 218 and polonium 214. The particles, in solid form, circulate through the air attached or unattached to the surface of dust mites, aerosols, and smoke particles. When inhaled, these particles become trapped in the lungs where their presence acts as an irritant, radiating and penetrating the cells of the mucus membranes, bronchi, and pulmonary tissues.

These particles emit an ionizing radiation energy that works on the bronchial epithelial cells in such a way as to (scientists believe) initiate the process of carcinogenesis (the process by which normal healthy cells are turned into cancer cells). It has been shown that exposure to radon increases the incidence of ALL histological types of lung cancer, including small cell carcinoma, Aden carcinoma, and squmous cell carcinoma.

How to Reduce Radon In Your Home

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:10:18 -0500

Radon Reduction Methods

The appearance of radon in the home is the result of the stark contrast between low pressure air systems in the house and higher air pressure in the soil. Thus, radon remediation specialists have come up with several different stratagies for dealing with raon: those designed to prevent the entry of radon gas into the home, and those meant to remove any preexisting radon and lower radon levels.

The most common and effective method from remiting radon (after the initial practice of sealing any cracks and foundation openings with caulk or other sealant material) is a technology called "sub-slab depressurization" or "sub-slab suction". The use of this technique serves to remove the radon tainted air from beneath the homes foundation, and (via a fan and series of interconnecting PVC pipes and fittings laid through the foundation into the soil beneath the house) vents the radon outside of the house and up past the roof where the toxic vapor disperses into the air.

Another similar method, the "sub-membrane depressurization" technique utilizes a vapor barrier over dirt floor crawlspaces and basements to collect and trap the radon and keep it from gaining entry to the homes upper levels.

We at Foothills Crawlspace are proud members of National Radon Defense and offer these and a wide range of other services for dealing with your homes unique radon concerns. Give us a call today for a free inspection, test, or estimate.

The Different Types of Radon Exposure

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:30:09 -0500

Occupational Radon Exposure vs. Residential Radon Exposure

In 1991 the National Academy of Sciences was asked to undertake a study on the comparable threat between radon exposure at home and in the work place. The study concluded (by studying the effective doses of radon against miners working underground and the general public) that effective doses per unit of exposure for people in their homes is 30% less than for miners.

EPA estimates indicate that thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths occur annually each year as a result of exposure to high levels of indoor radon in residential homes.

Radon and the need to take action

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:36:45 -0500

So you've had your home tested for radon and recieved positive results. Now what? When considering whether and how quickly it is necessary (if at all) to take action to remediate your radon problem you should consider the following: The EPA believes that, if possible, steps should be taken to permanently reduce radon levels in the home. The EPA believes levels in most homes can be reduced to about 0.02 WL (4pCi/l).

If your results are 1.0 WL or higher or about 200 pCi/l or higher: you are experiencing the highest observed range of radon in homes. Residents should undertake immediate action in an attempt to lower radon levelas as far below 1.0 WL as possible. Action should be taken within several weeks if not sooner.

If your results are about 0.02 WL or lower or about 4pCi/l or lower: You are experiencing radon exposure in the range that is widely considered average or slightly above average for residential dwellings. While exposures in this range can present some risk of lung cancer via prolonged inhalation, reduction to llevels this low or lower may in some cases proves dificult if not impossible.

*We have listed here the polar extremes on the scale of radon exposure. There are many diffrent levels unmentioned. For a full list of the various radon levels and actions to take check the EPA website or contact us at Foothills Crawlspace for a free inspection, estimate, or radon test.

Effects of radon

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:38:14 -0500

The number one (and really ONLY) ill health effect associated with exposure to high levels of radon is an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Of course not everyone exposed to radon will in fact develop lung cancer and for those that do, the timespan betweeen initial exposure and the first appearance of the disease may take many years.

The EPA estimates that roughly 20,000 people die each year as a result of lung cancer brought on by long-term exposure to radon. The risks of exposure and developing lung cancer is largely unique to each individual and depends upon concentration and lenth of exposure to radon gases. Some studies suggest that exposure to a slightly elevated concentration of radon for long periods of time may be more detrimental to ones health than, say, a short exposure to extremely high levels of radon.

Other things to consider when dealing with radon

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:35:45 -0500

1. Does anyone in residence smoke? Studies have shown that smoking may increase the risk of exposure to radon and will certainly increase ones risk of lung cancer.

2. Are there children in residence at the home? While it is not yet known whether or not young children are at a greater health risk as a result of exposure to radon, scientists have made studies of the effects of other types of radiation on children which indicate that children may be more sensitive to exposure than adults.

3. Time spent at home. This is a factor that must be taken into account when considering ones possible exposure to radon.

4. Does any reside in the basement? Its known that higher levels of radon concentration exist in the basement and lower levels of a home. Thus, a person or persons who reside in the basement or other high-risk area of the home is likely to face a greater risk of radon exposure than those who live abovestairs.

5. How long do you plan to reside in your home? When it comes to evaluating your potential risk of radon exposure you should take into account the length of time you intend to reside in your home. Most studies on the severity of exposure to radon are based on the assumption that you will live in your home for about 70 years. It is important to remember, though, that other homes you may have lived in in the past and any homes you may live in in the future, maybe have the same or higher levels of radon.