After working as an industrial mechanic and handyman for several years, Jay Lords wanted a career change. He initially thought home inspection sounded interesting and started taking classes to become certified. Radon mitigation immediately grabbed his attention, and he decided to become a Radon Mitigation Specialist.
Lords completed the certification and went to work for a radon mitigation company. Six months later, he was sure of two things: one, that he loved the work. And two, that he was itching for something more. After talking it over with his wife Julia, the couple started Lords Radon in November 2018. They served 100 clients their first year in business. In 2020, the business doubled, despite the six-week Covid-19 economic shutdown.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced when uranium breaks down. Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. Levels of 4 pCi/L or more are considered hazardous. Colorado soil has a high concentration of uranium, making the state a hot spot for elevated radon levels.
When radon gets trapped and builds up inside a home, it becomes toxic. According to Lords, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. “For me, radon mitigation is about how I can lessen the chances of someone getting sick,” Lords commented. “I like helping people. It’s not just a paycheck for me. I get joy from getting out and helping people,” he explained.
Radon levels can be measured using testing kits that involve placing a measuring device in the lowest area of your home for a specified amount of time. If hazardous levels of radon are detected, radon mitigation becomes necessary. Mitigation is the process of lowering radon levels through the installation of strategically placed pipes and fans. Lords guarantees that a client's radon levels will be reduced to below 4 pCi/l, and 99% of the systems they install bring radon levels down to 1 pCi/l.
How the system looks is just as important to Lords as how it functions. “I enjoy the challenge of making the mitigation system functional as well as aesthetically pleasing for my clients.”
Lords Radon is a family affair, with Julia Lords handling marketing (in addition to working as a nurse) and their middle son Jesie helping with mitigation system installation.
If your home’s radon levels have never been tested, contact lordsradon@outlook.com for your free in-home assessment. Let Lords Radon help you ensure the health and safety of the people in your home.