professional-home-inspection-service

RADON GAS AND ITS EFFECT ON PETS

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:54:48 GMT

DANGERS OF RADON

Radon is a harmful gas that, with consistent exposure, can cause a variety of cancers, breathing problems, lung damage etc. However, humans aren’t the only ones affected by this dangerous gas. Radon gas can have a harmful impact on your household pets as well.

WHAT IS RADON?

Radon is a gas that is odorless, colorless, and harmful to humans and many animals. Once radon is present in high concentrations, it compromises air quality and is absorbed into the body causing severe health problems. According to EPA radon study results (Environmental Protection Agency), radon is the primary cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

There is no safe level of radon. The EPA recommends radon mitigation work if the radon measurement is between 2-4pCi/L. If the radon measurement registers over 4pCi/L, immediate action should be taken.

WHAT IS RADON?

Like humans, household pets are susceptible to radon poisoning. Studies have shown that dogs are the top household pet to be most negatively impacted by radon with cats coming in second.

Since most pets, like dogs and cats, spend most of their time indoors, their chances of radon exposure are significantly high. Pets who spend large amounts of time in basements have elevated risks of radon exposure because basements that are not properly sealed or that have cracked foundations are leading causes of radon entry points into homes.

Since pets rely heavily on scent and will often sniff or lick floors, there is an increased chance of radon entering your pet’s lungs directly. Since your pet’s lungs are small, they can be damaged quicker and more severely than in humans.

HOW DOES RADON AFFECT PETS?

Radon poisoning symptoms can be difficult to detect, so make sure to monitor your pet’s usual behavior if you are concerned.

Symptoms of radon poisoning in dogs may include:

Coughing, hacking, or general breathing problems
Loss of appetite
Fever
Swelling

Symptoms of radon poisoning in cats may include:

Weight loss
Fatigue or increased inactivity
Loss of appetite
Coughing blood

Consult your vet immediately if you believe your pet may have radon poisoning. Failure to catch radon poisoning symptoms in the early stages can lead to cancer development in dogs and cats.

HOW TO PROTECT PETS FROM RADON POISONING

Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce your pet’s exposure to radon in your home. Taking your pet for regular vet check-ups and visits will increase your chances of catching radon poisoning early on. But, reducing the amount of radon in your home also needs to be a priority.

Testing your home is always the first step in preventing radon-induced lung cancer in your pets or yourself.

You can lower radon levels in your home by:

Ensuring proper ventilation of the sub slab through mitigation
Repairing cracks and gaps in floors and the foundation, sealing sump pits, and other entry locations
Installing a radon mitigation system

At Professional Home Inspection Service, we provide radon mitigation services , radon testing services , and radon system repair services to help you keep your home safe for your family and pets.

Our inspectors will find the sources of radon entry into your home, conduct thorough tests to determine radon levels, analyze the test results, and will take the time to explain the results to you so you can take informed next steps to reduce the radon levels in your home.

Don’t put your family and pet’s lives in danger. Contact us today to find out how we can reduce the radon levels in your home.

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ASBESTOS TESTING SERVICES: WHY IT MATTERS

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:51:30 GMT

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos was a commonly used ingredient in many products and materials during the home construction process. Now asbestos is known to cause numerous health problems and although it is now closely regulated in the United States, it is still not completely banned.

Asbestos is made up of a collection of heat resistant fibers. It is perhaps best known as an insulation type in both residential and commercial buildings, but asbestos can also be found in building materials such as paint, caulk, ceiling tiles, roofing tiles, vinyl siding etc.

Asbestos is classified as a carcinogenic material and since it is resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion it is impossible to completely destroy. Once absorbed into the body over long periods of time, asbestos can cause cancer (mesothelioma, lung, ovarian, and laryngeal), tumors, inflammation, and internal organ scarring.

If your home or building was constructed before the 1980s, there is an increased chance that it contains asbestos. In 1973, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) banned asbestos based, spray-on insulation, drastically declining the amount of asbestos used in building construction. In 1989, the EPA issued a further rule prohibiting most asbestos based products, although it was overturned in 1991. Although asbestos may be regulated in products made in the US, there is no ban that currently exists on imported, asbestos based products from counties like China and Russia.

OUR ASBESTOS TESTING PROCESS

In New York State, Asbestos testing must be conducted before any renovations occur on a building that does or may contain asbestos. At Professional Home Inspection Services, we offer asbestos testing services for both residential and commercial buildings. We work with insurance companies, building owners, and residential homeowners to provide comprehensive asbestos testing services.

Our certified asbestos inspection team adheres to NYS Code Rule 56 asbestos collection and analysis procedures to ensure our asbestos survey process, collection methods, and data results are reliable and are minimally disruptive to undisturbed asbestos. During our asbestos survey, our investigators will take multiple samples from a variety of materials. We make sure to pull random samples, as well as samples from a variety of rooms.

The asbestos testing and result process usually takes between one to two days. We provide you with a copy of the test results and an advanced analysis of the results to better inform you on your next steps for asbestos removal and remediation.

Don’t put your family or employees at risk. Asbestos can be lethal. Disturbed asbestos fibers can remain airborne for days and are able to contaminate anything they land on or in. Contact us to schedule your asbestos testing appointment today!

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WHY CHOOSE PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION FOR RADON MITIGATION?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:48:06 GMT

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Radon gas is odorless, colorless, and toxic to human health. It is a concerning threat to indoor air quality, making its way into the home from the soil through foundational cracks and crevices. It is crucial for homeowners to be aware of risks and mitigation strategies to ensure their health is never in danger in their homes.

At Professional Home Inspection Services, we prioritize the safety and well-being of all our customers, working to inform and reduce risk as much as possible. The following is a short analysis of the dangers of radon gas, how it might show up in the home, and what the average homeowner can do about it.

DANGERS OF RADON

While it is present in small amounts in the air we breathe, radon gas becomes toxic in higher concentrations. When the gas accumulates and becomes trapped indoors, levels rise, and the gas becomes toxic. Radon gas is mainly responsible for causing lung cancer over time and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Because it is undetectable, radon gas testing is paramount for home health measures.

Long-term radon testing provides a more in depth understanding of the home’s radon presence as well as its seasonal fluctuations. Homeowners should opt for this testing process to gain a better understanding of the long-term radon exposure they have been living with.

This process involves leaving the test out for a year to expose it to every season and home condition, such as the difference between windows being open in the summer versus being closed in the winter.

TESTING FOR RADON

AIR

SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

Testing for radon gas is a necessary and crucial measure to take for the well being of your family and pets at home. Radon testing is primarily done via the air in the state of New York, as the threat of radon presence in water is low.

The following are the two types of radon tests that we conduct:

Short-term radon gas tests refer to any test taken over the span of 90 days or less and are commonly conducted for real estate purposes. On average, these tests take about two days, offering a general breakdown of the amount of radon present in the home or building.

This process captures airborne radon particles via the use of charcoal canisters and liquid scintillation vials. The radon particles are then analyzed in a lab to determine the number of radon picocuries per liter of air When using canisters the report can take up to 7 days to receive the results.

We use the state of the art radon monitoring system, RadStar, to continuously track and report data as soon as the radon test is completed in the home. This detailed report provides a breakdown of how the home is performing on a easy to read graph and by hourly printout for the entire time RadStar is monitoring at the site.

THE PHIS DIFFERENCE

At Professional Home Inspection Services, quality and safety are our highest priorities. We are certified to conduct radon testing and mitigation by the NRPP and NYS Department Health. All members of our team are trained and supervised, adhering always to the strictest level of care. From small residential jobs to major commercial jobs alike, client care is our primary concern. As the colder months approach, testing is more important than ever as radon levels can tend to be at their highest concentrations.

Click here for more information on our testing process steps. Call today for more information on getting your home tested.

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SHOULD I GET A HOME INSPECTION?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:43:30 GMT

WHAT INFORMATION DOES A HOME INSPECTION PROVIDE?

In recent years, we’ve seen the prices of homes skyrocket. It truly is a seller’s market and with fierce competition from other potential home buyers, many people are choosing to forgo standard real estate home inspections before buying.

If you’re on the fence trying to decide if spending the extra money and time on a home inspection is worth it, keep reading to get your questions answered.

The biggest reason for a home inspection is to discover any potential health, safety, and repair risks that exist with the home you are considering purchasing.

You should always get a home inspection because sellers and realtors are not required to have home inspections before they list their property, so any issues that exist with the home are the responsibility of the potential buyer to discover. Many times, long term home owners are so used to experiencing consistent problems or are unaware of them in the first place, that they end up not even recognizing them as potential issues when it comes time to sell.

At Professional Home Inspection Service, we provide comprehensive home inspection services that investigate a wide variety of potential problems.

Thinking of buying a new home? Don’t pass on having a quality home inspection so you can know just what you are getting into. Contact us today to schedule your home inspection and to learn more about the assurance we can provide you! Remember – WE KNOW THE QUESTIONS YOU NEED ANSWERS TO.

Our home inspections test for:

Radon
Asbestos
Lead
Mold
Termite damage and infestation

Reduce your offer
Ask the seller to make certain repairs before the deal is closed
Agree to move forward with the deal and make the repairs yourself
Withdraw your offer

Home foundation, structure quality, roofing and all other visible, major components of the home

Although Professional Home Inspection Service, does not do code inspection, we treat many code issues as safety issues as part of our home inspection, we do investigate heat and electric systems, ensure bedrooms have egress window(s), and confirm bedrooms meet ceiling height and safety standards, again all visible, major components are inspected

Professional Home Inspection Service provides a full home inspection report to the potential buyer containing all health and safety findings and encourages potential buyers to join us during the inspection.

professional-home-inspection-service

RADON GAS AND ITS EFFECT ON PETS

DANGERS OF RADON

WHAT IS RADON?

WHAT IS RADON?

HOW DOES RADON AFFECT PETS?

Symptoms of radon poisoning in dogs may include:

Symptoms of radon poisoning in cats may include:

HOW TO PROTECT PETS FROM RADON POISONING

ASBESTOS TESTING SERVICES: WHY IT MATTERS

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

OUR ASBESTOS TESTING PROCESS

WHY CHOOSE PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION FOR RADON MITIGATION?

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

DANGERS OF RADON

TESTING FOR RADON

AIR

SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

THE PHIS DIFFERENCE

SHOULD I GET A HOME INSPECTION?

WHAT INFORMATION DOES A HOME INSPECTION PROVIDE?

Our home inspections test for:

If the home inspection report does find any issues, you have several options: