How Does Radon Get into Your Home?

Radon, in case you didn’t know, is a colorless, odorless gas that’s found in almost all air around you. While trace amounts are harmless, high concentrations can be dangerous. In fact, radon is the number one cause for lung cancer among non-smokers. 

The EPA estimates that around 21,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer each year. 

The most at-risk place for radon poisoning is in your very home. But how does radon reach dangerous levels inside your home? 

How Radon Builds Up in Your Home 

Radon develops from uranium decay in soil, rock, and water. It then rises from the ground and into the air. When it releases outdoors, it spreads around, causing no harm. When it gets inside a building, however, it becomes concentrated. 

One of the most common ways radon gets into your home is through cracks and holes in your foundation. Radon leaves the ground and seeps straight into your home. It can also come through walls, seams, crawl spaces, sump pumps, porous materials like brick or concrete, and more. 

For homes with basements, radon is typically at its highest there. However, radon can still pose a risk to homes without basements. Any home can have radon problems. It doesn’t matter if it’s new or old. Whether it has a basement or not. Radon can seep in from the ground, build up, and cause fatal problems. 

Don’t assume your home is safe. Have it inspected so you can know that it is. A radon test is a cheap and simple procedure that could save the lives of you or your family members. If your radon levels are too high, a simple mitigation process can bring things down to normal. 

For radon mitigation in Dayton, Ohio and the rest of the Miami Valley, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today!