Receiving a high radon test can cause fear for homeowners about their health and their children’s health, but there are useful ways to mitigate radon. Radon is an invisible gas that can be hard to recognize the effects of at first, but it can pose serious problems when left untreated. Leaving radon to take over your home can affect your health and your home, so it is best to take steps to remove it from your home. This blog will share some immediate steps you can take to mitigate radon in your home and other systems that may take more time and money to implement. Learn more below on how to make your home safer for all.
The Health Risks Of Radon Exposure
Radon is an invisible gas that is radioactive and causes various forms of cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, beaten only by smoking. High radon levels will increase the risk of other cancers as well, especially for those who are smokers or have other lung problems. Testing your home and taking action if you have higher levels can prevent the worsening of health problems or help you catch cancer diagnoses early.
Increase Ventilation
The best way to eliminate gas of any type in your home is to increase air circulation. Ventilation and air circulation are the best ways to mitigate radon in a home, pushing in clean air for those in the home to breathe. Open doors and windows during the day and while you are home to let in fresh air without putting your home at risk. Use fans to circulate the air and suck outdoor air into the home.
Ventilation is a more temporary fix, but it can help lower levels for a period of time until you can implement a more permanent solution. This can help if you have bought a new home and need to pass an inspection or plan to fix depressurization problems soon, but need a little bit of time to do so.
Seal Cracks And Openings
The way that radon enters your home is through cracks in your foundation or floor, so sealing cracks and using radon-resistant caulks can help prevent the gas from seeping in. Cracks in your basement, around walls, pipes, and wiring, are the common places that radon can sneak in. Make sure to seal all areas to help lower radon levels in the home.
Using a polyurethane or epoxy caulk is the best way to prevent radon gas from seeping into the home, but it will also help improve the home’s energy efficiency because you will prevent heat loss. Caulking cracks or putting sealants over small spaces can help keep your home safer and free from infestations.
Active Soil Depressurization Systems
Installing active soil and depressurization systems is the best long-term solution to mitigate radon. ASD systems will use a fan and vent pipe to draw the radon gas from underneath your home, and release it outdoors, rather than into the home. If you want to have the best system installation, it is best to hire a professional. If you install the system yourself, make sure to follow all instructions to a tee and keep up on maintenance to ensure you truly mitigate radon from the home.
Heat Recovery Ventilator
A Heat Recovery Ventilator or Energy Recovery Ventilator helps to reduce radon levels by constantly pushing in fresh air into the home while also saving energy for your HVAC system. These systems will dilute your home’s air with fresh outdoor air and reduce radon and other pollutants, but only if the right-sized system is installed. Choosing the right system for the size and age of your home is the best way to reduce the effects of radon.
Radon Testing From Nook-N-Kranny
When radon builds up in your home, it can cause major health problems, lower indoor air quality, and problems selling your home in the future. Radon causes thousands of cancer diagnoses each year, so having an expert check a new home or your current home for high radon levels can give you peace of mind.
Nook-N-Kranny offers radon testing for older homes, new homes, before basement remodels, and more. Our experts look for common gaps and areas around the home that could threaten your health. If radon is found in your home, you can take action to reduce its effects and give yourself a healthier future. Reach out to us to learn more about radon and give yourself peace of mind by having a professional inspector.
