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What
is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, invisible
radioactive gas that comes from the decay of radium in the soil.
Radium is the decay product of uranium which occurs naturally in
the soil and rocks of the earth’s crust. The radon concentration
in a home is dependent on the type of soil the home is built on.
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What
are the health effects of Radon?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
identified radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the
United States. Many homes contain radon concentrations that are
high enough to give their occupants lifetime exposures that could
increase their risk of developing lung cancer.
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How
will I know if Radon is in my area?
Radon has been found in all states and all over the
world, although some areas have a greater concentration than others.
According to the EPA
one out of fifteen homes in the United States have high levels of
radon gas.
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How
does Radon enter my home?
The foundation is the most likely place for radon
to enter the home. Concrete is porous by nature and by itself cannot
block radon transmission. Radon is also water-soluble and attaches
itself to the water molecules. As the water migrates through the
wall or up from the floor it evaporates and the radon gas remains.
If the basement has cracks in the floor or walls it creates another
avenue for radon to enter your home. Additionally, the inside air
pressure in a building is lower than the pressure in the ground.
Buildings can act like a vacuum pulling the highly concentrated
radon gas from below the ground into the home by the process called
"wicking".
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Is
there a "safe" level of Radon?
There is no safe level of radon in your home whatsoever.
If you haven't already tested for radon, you need to! Testing is
easy, inexpensive and is the only way to know if you and your family
are at risk. You should do everything within your power to get and
maintain the lowest levels of radon possible. Radon is a radioactive
gas and therefore is carcinogenic. It is the second leading cause
of lung cancer in the United States. The National Academy of Sciences
has estimated that each year in the United States, between 15,000
and 22,000 people die from radon related lung cancer. If you smoke
and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is
especially high.
The EPA has warned
that radon is dangerous at any level and recommends radon levels
be kept below 4 pCi/L. This is not to say that a radon level of
4 pCi/L is safe, it means that it is the "minimum" standard
level that home inspectors use as a guide for homeowners to determine
"high" radon levels. Because you spend more time in your
home than anywhere else that is where you will receive the greatest
radon exposure. Keeping radon levels as low as possible will protect
the health of you and your loved ones.
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What
are Radon Loc and Radon Loc Extra?
Radon Loc and Radon Loc Extra are specially formulated,
water-based, penetrating concrete sealers. When sprayed on to a
concrete surface they penetrate deeply into the walls and floor,
one to four inches, creating an impenetrable barrier to radon and
moisture migration. It does this through a chemical reaction between
the sealer and the alkali in the concrete. This reaction creates
a gel. The gel then moves throughout the pores and hairline cracks
of the concrete and solidifies. The concrete is now up to 42% denser
and stronger and prevents moisture and cancer-causing radon from
entering your home. These clear sealers will not change the look
or feel of the concrete but will seal and protect it from the inside,
permanently. Radon
Loc's waterproofing capability is unsurpassed by any other product
on the market today. The concrete's porosity determines the correct product to use.
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What’s
the difference between Radon Loc and Radon Loc Extra?
They are basically the same product however, Radon
Loc Extra has been specifically formulated with extra solids
to give wet, damp, or porous concrete the extra protection it needs
to permanently lock out moisture and radon. The concrete’s
porosity determines the correct product to use.
Radon
Loc has been formulated for use on smooth, unpainted, unsealed concrete floors. It is the best product to use if the concrete has a very
tight or smooth finish and moisture is not a problem. It should
be used when a high radon level is the only concern. Applying Radon
Loc concrete sealer on Fiber Crete concrete may not provide the
same quality seal as standard concrete. Please call for technical
assistance.
Radon Loc
Extra has been formulated for use on unpainted, unsealed, poured
foundations, floors, and concrete block. It is a complete waterproofing
concrete sealer and can be used to prevent moisture and high radon
levels. It has additional solids to give your concrete the extra
protection it needs to permanently lock out moisture and radon.
Lightweight, Featherweight or similar types of concrete block cannot
be sealed using Radon Loc Extra. Please call for technical assistance.
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How
Can I Determine The Concrete's Porosity?
There
is a simple water droplet test that will only take a few minutes
to complete and will provide you with the answers you need. Place
individual drops of water on the concrete slab in several locations
(use an eye dropper or a straw). If the droplets penetrate the concrete
within three to five minutes then the concrete is rather porous
and Radon Loc Extra would be the correct product
to use. If the water takes longer to absorb, but still penetrates
the concrete within ten minutes, the concrete is rather dense and
Radon Loc would be recommended.
If the water
droplets do not penetrate the concrete or spread, then the concrete
surface is too dense and neither product
would be able to penetrate. This situation requires an added
step: The floor would need to be etched with a Muriatic
Acid wash and neutralized. This will open the surface pores enough
to allow Radon Loc to penetrate the concrete and
perform properly. If sealers have been previously applied or you would like additional information please call Endur-O-Seal USA for advice.
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How
does Radon Loc work?
Radon Loc has special wetting agents that allow it
to penetrate deep into the concrete, one to four inches in most
cases. Upon entering the concrete it immediately comes in contact
with the alkali and starts to form a gel. The gel moves in all directions
to fill the pores and hairline cracks. Within 90 days the gel, which
now fills the pores, turns as hard as the concrete itself to create
a waterproof barrier that moisture and radon can not penetrate.
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Is
Radon Loc safe?
Radon Loc concrete sealant is non-toxic, non-hazardous
and non-flammable. It has no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s),
no solvents and no unpleasant odor. It is easy to apply, water-based,
fast drying, and environmentally safe.
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How
is Radon Loc applied?
Radon Loc is applied with an ordinary low-pressure
(garden type) sprayer. It can be applied to concrete, concrete block,
vertical or horizontal surfaces. Applying Radon Loc is a quick and
easy do-it-yourself project that should only take a few hours to
complete. See Application Instructions included with your pail of Radon Loc. Always wash the surface with a deck brush and water 24 hours after the last application.
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How
long does Radon Loc last?
Radon Loc seals and densifies concrete so well that
once properly treated it will continue to protect you and your loved
ones from the dangers of radon and moisture indefinitely. There
is no need for reapplication. Radon Loc is guaranteed to last for
twenty years.
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Is
Radon Loc guaranteed?
Radon Loc is guaranteed to be effective against moisture
and radon migration for a period of twenty-years from the date of
purchase. Radon Loc will reduce the radon level in your home to
an EPA manageable level of 4 pCi/L. We guarantee this providing
that all of the walls and the floor are sealed, cracks and gaps
are filled, and all other radon-entering areas have been addressed.
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Is
Radon Loc all I need to protect against radon?
Radon Loc can greatly reduce radon levels all by
itself, but radon also enters the home through cracks, gaps, and
other openings that have to be properly sealed. Using a polyurethane
caulk or hydraulic cement to close the openings will bring radon
to its lowest possible level.
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Are
there other benefits to using Radon Loc?
Absolutely! Radon Loc has many abilities. It will
completely waterproof your concrete floor and walls, eliminate "sweating
walls" and increase the density (strength) of the concrete
by as much as 42%. It also stops dusting, spalling, efflorescence
problems, and will eliminate unhealthy mold & mildew.
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Can
I finish my basement after Radon Loc is applied?
Yes. Not only can you paint on top of Radon Loc treated
concrete; it will increase the bonding ability of the paint by as
much as 300%. Normally, paint does not adhere to concrete very well
because moisture migrates through causing the paint to peel off.
This will not happen after Radon Loc has been applied because it
creates a permanent moisture barrier as well as a radon barrier.
Ceramic and vinyl
tiles can be applied over Radon Loc treated floors and will actually
last longer than on untreated floors. By sealing the floor and eliminating
the moisture, the mastics and adhesives used to hold the tile will
not get wet and loosen over time. Carpeting can also be installed.
Since the floor has been protected against moisture, you eliminate
the worry of mold and mildew growth that leads to that "musty"
damp basement smell.
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How
much does Radon Loc cost?
Radon Loc concrete sealant
comes in two formulas, Radon Loc & Radon Loc Extra
and is sold in five-gallon pails. Each five-gallon pail will cover
approximately 500 square feet with 3 applications and 750 square feet with 2 applications, depending on the porosity
of the concrete surface. For a free estimate call us Toll Free 888.256.1984.
Radon Loc
is $165.00 plus shipping and handling.*
Radon Loc
Extra is $185.00 plus shipping and handling.*
*Note: Shipping and handling is $29.00 per pail in the lower 48
states. For all other areas please call for a quote. Each pail includes
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), do-it-yourself application instructions
and tips for maximum radon mitigation, concrete sealing and waterproofing.
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How
much Radon Loc will I need?
The porosity of the concrete determines the coverage. Each five-gallon pail will cover approximately 500 square feet with 3 applications and 750 square feet with 2 applications, depending on the porosity of the concrete surface. Two applications are required
for poured concrete and three applications for concrete block foundations.
For a free estimate call us Toll Free 888.256.1984.
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Where
can I purchase Radon Loc?
Radon Loc is only available from RadonLoc.com or one of it’s authorized distributors. Radon Loc
is not sold in stores. Simply call our Toll Free number 888.256.1984 to
place an order. For your convenience we accept Visa, Master Card
Discover, and American Express.
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