Today, we want to talk about something that might not be on your radar but absolutely should be: radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, and odorless gas that can silently accumulate in homes, posing a significant long-term health risk. This blog will demystify radon in the home, explain why it’s a concern, and empower you with the knowledge you need to protect your family and your biggest investment.
Radon In The Home: What Exactly Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It’s found everywhere in the world. The real problem starts when this gas escapes the ground and enters the air you breathe. When it’s outdoors, it quickly dilutes to harmless concentrations.
However, once it seeps into an enclosed space like your home, it can become trapped. Your home essentially acts like a chimney, drawing radon gas in from the soil beneath your foundation. This is where it can build up to unhealthy levels. The gas itself is harmless, but when it decays, it releases tiny, radioactive particles that can be inhaled. These particles can damage the cells lining your lungs.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, right after smoking. For non-smokers, it is the number one cause. It’s a risk that builds up over time from prolonged exposure to elevated levels.
How Does Radon Get into My House?
Radon enters your home through various openings in the foundation that connect it to the soil. It’s not limited to older homes or homes with basements; any home, regardless of age or construction type, can have a radon problem.
The mechanism is simple: air pressure inside your home is usually lower than the pressure in the soil surrounding the foundation. This pressure difference creates a vacuum, drawing soil gases—including radon—into the house. The concentration will often be highest in the lowest level of the home, such as a basement or crawl space, but it can permeate throughout the entire structure.
The Simple Solution: Testing Your Home
The only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste it, a test is your only tool. Testing is easy and inexpensive.
You have a couple of options for testing:
- Short-term test kits are the fastest, typically lasting 2 to 90 days. These are great for getting a quick snapshot, which is often done during a real estate transaction.
- Long-term test kits last for more than 90 days. These are generally more accurate because they measure your home’s average radon level over a longer period, accounting for daily and seasonal fluctuations. The EPA recommends long-term testing for a more reliable result if time permits.
You can purchase kits online or at home improvement stores. Follow the instructions carefully, and be sure to send the device to a lab for analysis. If you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a qualified, certified radon professional to perform the test.
What If My Radon Level is High?
The EPA’s action level for radon is 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). If your test results are at or above this level, the EPA strongly recommends taking action to reduce the concentration. Even if your level is between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, consider mitigation, as any exposure carries some risk.
Mitigation is the process of reducing the radon level in your home, and it’s highly effective. The most common and reliable method is a system called Sub-Slab Depressurization (SSD).
This system uses a vent pipe and a fan to draw the radon gas from beneath your foundation and safely exhaust it outdoors, well above where it can re-enter the home. When installed correctly by a certified mitigator, these systems are a permanent and highly reliable solution, typically reducing radon levels by up to 99%.
Radon is a genuine health hazard, but it’s one we have the tools and knowledge to manage. By taking the simple step of testing your home, you’re taking a powerful step toward a healthier, safer environment for everyone under your roof. Knowledge is power, and when it comes to radon, testing leads to action, and action leads to peace of mind.
FAQs About Radon In The Home
If my neighbor has low radon, will mine be low, too?
Not necessarily. Radon levels can vary dramatically even between homes right next door to each other due to differences in soil composition, house construction, and the specific pathways into each foundation. Every home must be tested individually.
Does my house need to be sealed perfectly before I test?
While sealing major cracks and openings can help lower radon levels, sealing alone is rarely enough. The recommendation is to test first. If the level is high, a professional mitigator will often combine sealing work with a more robust mitigation system like sub-slab depressurization.
Do new homes have a radon problem?
Yes, they can. Even brand-new homes built with the latest materials can still draw in radon if they are not built with radon-resistant features or a full mitigation system. If you live in a new home, it still needs to be tested.
Seahorse Home Inspections provides home inspections to buyers in St. Lucie County and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.