Radon can silently seep into your home and pose serious health risks. If you’ve recently tested your house and discovered elevated radon levels, don’t panic. In this guide, we’ll explain the best methods for reducing radon levels in your home.
What is Radon and How Do You Know if It’s in Your Home?
Radon is a radioactive gas that uranium in soil, rock, and water produces when it breaks down. It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation or other openings. Once indoors, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in sealed or poorly ventilated homes.
Testing is the only way to know if radon is present in your home. Affordable testing kits are widely available, or you can hire a certified professional to perform the test.
How to Mitigate Radon in Your Home
If there is radon in your home, you can mitigate it in multiple ways. Methods for reducing radon levels in your home include sealing cracks, installing a radon mitigation system, and more.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to reduce radon is by sealing cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation, walls, and service pipes. Radon typically infiltrates through small openings, and sealing these pathways will limit its entry. While sealing alone won’t solve significant radon issues, it works well in conjunction with other mitigation techniques.
Install a Radon Mitigation System
For homes with higher radon levels, a professional radon mitigation system offers a powerful solution. The most common system is a sub-slab depressurization setup.
This involves installing pipes beneath the foundation with a fan to vent radon outside, preventing it from entering your indoor air. These systems can reduce radon levels by up to 99 percent, making them a worthwhile investment for long-term safety. They’re also a long-term solution, although you’ll have to replace a radon fan every handful of years.
Maintain Sump Pumps and Crawl Spaces
If your home has a sump pump or crawl space, these areas can be prime entry points for radon. Ensure your sump pump has a sealed, airtight lid. For crawl spaces, covering the soil with a plastic vapor barrier can help block radon.
Remember to maintain these barriers and seals periodically to ensure they remain effective over time. Many homeowners find that these simple updates can make a big difference in minimizing radon.
Utilize a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
Ventilation is key when it comes to expelling radon from your home. Installing a heat recovery ventilator can improve indoor air circulation while reducing radon levels.
An HRV pulls fresh air into your home and exhausts indoor air outside without drastically increasing your heating or cooling costs. While it’s not a complete fix, combining an HRV with another mitigation technique can enhance results, particularly in colder climates where homes are tightly sealed.
A Safer Home Starts Here
Radon mitigation doesn’t just protect your health; it also enhances your home’s livability and value. Whether you’re sealing cracks, installing a mitigation system, or integrating ventilation solutions, every step you take brings you closer to a safer and healthier home.
