Signs You Need Radon Mitigation in Your Home
At Radon Systems LLC, we understand that protecting your home and family from harmful radon gas is a top priority. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into your home through cracks in the foundation, making it difficult to detect without proper testing. Long-term exposure to high radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer, which is why it's essential to be aware of the signs that your home may need radon mitigation.
In this post, we’ll highlight the top signs you may need radon mitigation in your home and how we can help keep your living environment safe.
1. You Haven’t Tested for Radon Yet
If you’ve never tested your home for radon, it’s essential to do so. The EPA recommends testing every home for radon, regardless of age, location, or condition. Radon levels can fluctuate over time, so even if your home passed an earlier test, it’s still a good idea to retest regularly.
2. You Live in a High-Radon Area
Certain areas are more prone to elevated radon levels due to the local geology. If you live in a known radon hotspot, you should be especially proactive about testing. You can check your state or local radon zone map to see if your area has a higher likelihood of radon exposure.
3. Your Home Has a Basement or Crawl Space
Homes with basements or crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable to radon buildup, as radon gas can easily enter through the ground. If your home has these features and you haven’t tested for radon, it's a good idea to schedule a test as soon as possible.
4. You’ve Experienced Health Symptoms Like Persistent Cough or Respiratory Issues
While radon exposure itself may not cause immediate symptoms, long-term exposure to high radon levels can lead to respiratory issues, chronic coughing, or shortness of breath. If you or your family members experience these symptoms regularly, it’s a good idea to test for radon and rule out potential exposure.
5. Radon Levels in Your Home Are Above 4 pCi/L
The EPA recommends mitigating radon levels in homes that have concentrations greater than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your test results are above this threshold, you should immediately consider installing a radon mitigation system to lower the radon levels to a safer range.
6. You’re Preparing to Sell or Buy a Home
If you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, testing for radon should be a priority. If elevated radon levels are detected, sellers may need to install a radon mitigation system before the sale is completed. Buyers, on the other hand, should ensure radon levels are safe before making a purchase.
7. Radon Levels Are Higher in One Part of the Home
Radon levels can vary throughout the house, with the highest levels often found in lower-level areas such as basements. If you’ve noticed that radon levels are higher in certain parts of the house (especially basements or ground floors), it’s time to install a radon mitigation system to address the issue.
8. Previous Homeowners Didn’t Mitigate Radon
If you're moving into a previously owned home, it’s important to verify whether any radon mitigation efforts have been made in the past. Homes that haven’t undergone mitigation may still have high radon levels, even if there’s no obvious sign of radon issues.
9. Radon Tests Came Back Elevated During Winter or Summer
Radon levels can fluctuate based on the season, with winter often seeing higher levels due to homes being sealed up tighter. If your radon test results are elevated during colder months, or if the levels are consistently high year-round, it could be a sign that your home requires a mitigation system.
10. You’re Concerned About Your Family’s Health
If you’re concerned about the potential health risks of radon exposure, it’s never too late to take action. Protecting your loved ones by ensuring your home is free from dangerous radon gas is an essential part of creating a safe living environment.
What to Do Next?
If any of these signs sound familiar, the next step is to schedule a radon test with the professionals at Radon Systems LLC. Our team of experts will test your home and provide a detailed report of radon levels. If mitigation is needed, we will guide you through the process of installing a custom radon mitigation system designed to safely reduce radon levels in your home.
