Omaha Home Inspections and Commercial Inspections
The State of Nebraska estimates that the following counties in our area have a certain percentage of homes with very high levels of radon:
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Steve Vacha
American Society of Home Inspectors
Fact: A home inspector cannot test a home for radon unless they are a Licensed Radon Inspector. Many home inspectors are not licensed radon inspectors. Home Standards is licensed and can test a property for radon. Call us today!
What is Radon?
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your family.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your family.
• Douglas 51%
• Washington 67%
• Sarpy 60%
• Saunders 67%
• Pottawattamie
County (IA) 55%
• Washington 67%
• Sarpy 60%
• Saunders 67%
• Pottawattamie
County (IA) 55%
How Does Radon Enter the Home?
Typically the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this difference, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing in radon gas through foundation cracks and other openings of your home, such as construction joints, water supply lines and any cracks or gaps in the structure. Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air inside your home when water is used for showering and other household uses.
You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to find out about your home's radon level. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Surgeon General and The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recommend testing of all homes. If you find that the home has high radon levels, there are methods to mitigate the problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
Typically the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this difference, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing in radon gas through foundation cracks and other openings of your home, such as construction joints, water supply lines and any cracks or gaps in the structure. Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air inside your home when water is used for showering and other household uses.
You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to find out about your home's radon level. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Surgeon General and The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recommend testing of all homes. If you find that the home has high radon levels, there are methods to mitigate the problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
What you should know about Radon
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
What is Mold?
Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead "spores" which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.
Mold causes serious health problems and can destroy the structural integrity of a home. Remediation can cost thousands of dollars. Testing is the only way to identify if there is a mold problem, even when there is no visible mold growth.
What Does Mold Need In Order To Grow?
Mold only needs a few, simple things to grow and multiply:
• Moisture (humidity, water leak, standing water, etc.)
• Nutrients (dust, wallpaper, drywall, cardboard or wood)
• Suitable place to grow (almost anywhere)
Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead "spores" which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.
Mold causes serious health problems and can destroy the structural integrity of a home. Remediation can cost thousands of dollars. Testing is the only way to identify if there is a mold problem, even when there is no visible mold growth.
What Does Mold Need In Order To Grow?
Mold only needs a few, simple things to grow and multiply:
• Moisture (humidity, water leak, standing water, etc.)
• Nutrients (dust, wallpaper, drywall, cardboard or wood)
• Suitable place to grow (almost anywhere)
Health Effects
The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Coughing
• Wheezing and breathing difficulties
• Sore throat
• Skin and eye irritation
• Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)
The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Coughing
• Wheezing and breathing difficulties
• Sore throat
• Skin and eye irritation
• Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)
Steve Vacha has earned the designation of "Certified Mold Inspector" from the Environmental Solutions Association. (Many home inspectors do not have certifications for mold inspections.) Home Standards is certified. Call us today!
Why Test for Mold Before You Buy A Home? Mold growth is often not visible in a home. For instance, when moisture finds its way into the air ducts, behind wallpaper, or in between two walls, it is the perfect habitat for mold spores to live and grow because mold feeds on dust as well as drywall material.