radon-systems-of-ct-staging

How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost in Connecticut?

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:12:47 GMT

Getting an elevated radon test result can feel like a lot to take in, especially when you're not sure what comes next. Radon mitigation is likely your next step, and it's completely normal to wonder what it's going to cost before you call a contractor. The price isn't the same for every home, and several factors specific to your property will shape the final number. Understanding those factors is the best way to feel prepared and confident going into the process.

Connecticut homeowners are no strangers to radon concerns, largely due to the state's granite-rich bedrock, which creates conditions where radon can accumulate at higher-than-average levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the ground, and according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), long-term exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Mitigation is the right move for your family's safety, and in my experience, homeowners feel a lot more confident going into it when they understand what shapes the cost.

A few key factors influence what you'll pay for a radon mitigation system:

Foundation type and complexity
Radon concentration levels and soil permeability
Interior vs. exterior pipe routing
Electrical work requirements
Post-mitigation radon testing
Hiring a licensed radon contractor vs. DIY

Each of these factors can meaningfully affect your final quote, so let's take a closer look at each on

Your home's foundation type is one of the most significant factors in determining the scope of a radon mitigation job. A standard poured concrete basement is generally the most straightforward to work with, while crawl spaces, slab-on-grade foundations, and mixed foundation types each come with added complexity. More complex foundations often require additional suction points, longer pipe runs, and more labor hours to get a system properly installed.

Homes with multiple foundation types are especially common in older Connecticut neighborhoods, and they often require a customized approach. A crawl space, for example, may need a sealed vapor barrier installed in addition to the mitigation system itself. Every additional step adds to the total cost, but it also ensures the system performs the way it's supposed to.

Every home has a unique foundation layout, and a properly designed system has to account for that, not just the square footage. I've seen smaller homes cost more to mitigate than larger ones simply because of a more complicated foundation. When you get a quote, make sure the contractor does a thorough walk-through of your home's foundation before giving you a number.

Foundation Type and Complexity

The severity of your radon readings directly influences what kind of system and fan your home will need. Homes with very high radon levels may require a more powerful fan or a more robust setup to bring concentrations below the EPA's recommended action level of 4 pCi/L. A standard fan may be sufficient for moderate levels, but a high-capacity fan designed for tougher conditions will cost more.

Soil permeability is another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked. Dense, compacted soils like clay make it harder for a system to draw radon from beneath the slab, sometimes requiring a more capable setup. In contrast, loose, porous soils like gravel or sand tend to be more cooperative with the system.

Your contractor should perform a diagnostic suction test before finalizing the system design. In my experience, two homes on the same street can have very different mitigation needs simply because of what's underneath the foundation. Skipping this diagnostic step is one of the most common mistakes I see, and it can lead to an underpowered system that doesn't do its job.

After a suction point is created beneath your slab, the mitigation pipe has to be routed out of the home, and you'll generally have two options: through the interior or along the exterior. Interior routing hides the pipe inside walls or through closets, giving your home a cleaner, more discreet appearance. It takes more time and precision to install, which typically means higher labor costs.

Exterior pipe routing runs the pipe along the outside of your home and exhausts it above the roofline. It's faster to install, which often makes it the more budget-friendly option. The trade-off is that the pipe will be visible on the outside of your home.

Many homeowners don't mind exterior routing at all, especially when the pipe is placed along a less prominent side of the house. If aesthetics are a priority for you, it's worth discussing interior routing with your contractor upfront. Either way, the most important thing is that the pipe exhausts radon safely away from your home's living spaces.

Interior vs. Exterior Pipe Routing

Conclusion

Radon exposure is a serious health risk, but it's also a manageable one. Understanding what drives mitigation costs puts you in a much better position to ask the right questions, compare quotes, and make a decision that works for your home and your budget. Connecticut has no shortage of qualified, licensed contractors who can help you get your levels to a safe range. You've already taken the most important step by doing your research.

Radon Concentration Levels and Soil Permeability

Radon mitigation fans need a power source to operate, which means a dedicated electrical outlet needs to be accessible near the installation point. If your home already has an outlet in the right location, this won't add to your cost. But if one needs to be installed, you may need to factor in the cost of hiring a licensed electrician.

This is one of the most commonly overlooked costs in a radon mitigation project. Many homeowners receive their initial quote and are caught off guard when electrical work comes up during installation. Asking your contractor about electrical requirements upfront can help you avoid any surprises on your final invoice.

The cost of adding an outlet can vary depending on how accessible your electrical panel is and how much work is involved in running a new circuit. In some cases, a nearby existing outlet can be used, which keeps costs down. It's a straightforward conversation to have before the project begins, and a good contractor will bring it up without you having to ask.

Electrical Work Requirements

Post-Mitigation Radon Testing

A radon mitigation system isn't considered complete until you've confirmed it's actually working. After installation, a follow-up radon test is necessary to verify your levels have dropped below the EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L. Without this step, you're essentially guessing at whether the system is doing its job.

Some contractors include post-mitigation testing in their installation quote, while others charge for it separately. It's worth asking about this before any work begins so there are no surprises on your final invoice. Either way, the cost of a follow-up test is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that your home is safe.

If levels are still elevated after the initial test, your contractor should be able to adjust the system to address the problem. I always include a follow-up test as part of our process because it's the only way to give homeowners the real confidence they're looking for. Don't skip this step; it's the most important part of the whole project.

Hiring a Licensed Radon Contractor vs. DIY

DIY radon mitigation kits are available, and they do cost less upfront. The problem is a system that's improperly designed or installed may not bring your radon levels down to a safe range, which means you've spent money and still have a problem to resolve. Radon mitigation involves working with your home's pressure dynamics, and without the right diagnostic tools, it's difficult to know if a DIY setup is truly effective.

In Connecticut, radon mitigation contractors are required to be licensed through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Working with a certified professional means your system is designed to code, installed correctly, and typically backed by a warranty. It also means you'll have proper documentation of the work, which can be valuable if you ever decide to sell your home.

I always recommend getting at least two or three quotes from licensed contractors before committing to one. Comparing estimates helps you make sure you're getting a fair deal, but try not to make your decision on price alone. A contractor who's transparent, thorough, and willing to answer your questions is worth every penny.

Do Radon Systems Require Ongoing Maintenance?

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:53:15 GMT

If you have radon mitigation systems installed in your home, you may be wondering how much upkeep they really require. I get this question often, especially right after a system is installed and everything is running smoothly. In most cases, radon systems are designed to operate continuously with minimal upkeep.

That said, no mechanical system is completely maintenance-free. A few simple checks each year can make the difference between long-term protection and a system that quietly stops doing its job. Staying proactive is easy once you know what to look for.

Here are the key maintenance tips I recommend for keeping radon systems working properly:

Test your home annually to confirm your system is effective
Check the system warning device or manometer regularly
Listen for unusual noises from the radon fan
Inspect exterior vent pipes for damage or blockages
Keep sealed areas of the foundation intact
Replace the radon fan when needed
Make sure the radon system has continuous power
Schedule a professional inspection after major home changes

If you follow these simple tips, you can feel confident that your system is doing what it was designed to do. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Even though radon systems are highly reliable, testing at least once a year is important. Testing is the only way to confirm that radon levels remain below the EPA action level. Equipment can wear down over time, and testing gives you clear data.

You can use a short-term test kit or schedule a professional test for added peace of mind. Testing during colder months often provides the most consistent results because windows and doors stay closed. If you’ve recently remodeled or altered your foundation, testing becomes even more important.

In my experience, an annual test is one of the simplest ways to verify your system’s performance. It provides reassurance that everything is functioning properly. Making this a routine habit helps ensure continued protection.

Test Your Home Annually to Confirm Your System Is Effective

Most radon systems include a manometer or other warning device that shows whether the fan is creating proper suction. Glancing at it about once a month is usually sufficient. It takes only a few seconds and can alert you to problems right away.

If you have a U-tube manometer, the liquid levels should be uneven when the fan is running. Equal levels may indicate that the fan is not operating. Understanding what your normal reading looks like makes changes easier to spot.

A quick monthly check can prevent longer periods of unnoticed system failure. Small changes in the reading often signal that something needs attention. Catching those changes early helps maintain safe radon levels.

Radon fa ns are built to run continuously, and they typically last five to ten years. Most of the time, they operate quietly in the background. When you notice a change in sound, it can be an early sign that something needs attention.

Here are a few specific sounds that may indicate a problem:

Rattling or Grinding Sounds: These noises often indicate worn bearings or loose internal components. Addressing the issue early may prevent sudden fan failure.
A Louder-Than-Normal Humming Noise: Increased vibration can signal that the motor is straining. This often happens as the fan approaches the end of its expected lifespan.
Sudden Silence: If the fan was previously audible and you no longer hear it, it may have stopped running. A nonfunctioning fan should be checked promptly to maintain protection.

Over the years, subtle sound changes have proven to be reliable early warning signs. Paying attention to these cues can help you avoid unexpected system downtime. Prompt attention keeps your radon system operating consistently.

Listen for Unusual Noises From the Radon Fan

Conclusion

Radon systems do require ongoing maintenance, but the steps are simple and very manageable. One thing I’ve learned is that small habits like annual testing and quick visual checks make a meaningful difference over time. Staying consistent helps ensure your system continues operating the way it should. With regular attention, you can feel confident your indoor air remains protected year after year.

Check the System Warning Device or Manometer Regularly

Your radon system rel ies on clear airflow to vent gases safely above your roofline. A visual inspection of the exterior vent pipe a couple of times a year is usually sufficient. No special tools are required, just a careful look.

When inspecting the vent pipe, pay close attention to these common trouble spots:

Cracked or Disconnected Pipe Sections: Temperature shifts and storms can cause joints to loosen over time. Even minor separations may reduce suction and system efficiency.
Loose Brackets or Sagging Pipe : Support brackets keep the vent line stable and properly aligned. If sections shift, airflow can be compromised.
Obstructions at the Discharge Point: Leaves, debris, or nesting animals can partially block the vent opening. Clear airflow is essential for proper radon removal.

Exterior components are exposed to weather and seasonal changes. Small issues can develop gradually without being obvious. Periodic checks help ensure the system vents properly year-round.

Inspect Exterior Vent Pipes for Damage or Blockages

Keep Sealed Areas of the Foundation Intact

Radon systems work best when foundation openings are properly sealed. During installation, cracks, sump pits, and other entry points are sealed to improve suction and performance. Over time, new cracks can develop as a home settles.

Periodic checks of visible foundation areas in your basement or crawl space are helpful. Widening cracks or a loose sump lid are worth addressing promptly. Even small openings can influence how efficiently the system performs.

Maintaining these sealed areas supports consistent suction beneath the structure. Minor gaps can reduce system effectiveness over time. Addressing changes early helps preserve long-term performance.

Replace the Radon Fan When Needed

The radon fan is the heart of the system, and it won’t last forever. Most fans operate reliably for several years before showing signs of wear. Planning ahead helps avoid unexpected gaps in protection.

If annual test results rise or the manometer reading changes significantly, the fan may be weakening. Proper replacement requires secure sealing and correct electrical connections. Professional installation ensures the system continues operating at the appropriate suction level.

Fan replacement is a normal part of long-term system ownership. Timely replacement keeps radon levels consistently low. With proper maintenance, the overall system can perform reliably for many years.

Make Sure the Radon System Has Continuous Power

Radon systems are designed to run nonstop, which means they depend on a steady power supply. If the system loses power, it stops reducing radon immediately. Unlike some household equipment, there is no backup function if electricity is interrupted.

It’s a good idea to confirm that the system is plugged into a working outlet and that the breaker hasn’t tripped. After severe storms or electrical work, a quick check can ensure the fan restarted properly. If your system includes an alarm, make sure it is active and functioning as intended.

Power interruptions are one of the simplest causes of system failure. A quick check after outages can prevent extended periods of reduced protection. Keeping the system powered ensures continuous radon reduction.

Schedule a Professional Inspection After Major Home Changes

Changes inside your home can influence airflow and pressure. Finishing a basement, upgrading insulation, or installing new HVAC equipment can alter how radon moves through the structure. After significant renovations, an evaluation of the system is wise.

These updates sometimes require minor adjustments to maintain optimal performance. Additional sealing or system modifications may occasionally be beneficial. Verifying performance after renovations ensures continued effectiveness.

Homes naturally evolve over time as improvements are made. Checking your radon system after major updates provides reassurance. A simple follow-up evaluation confirms everything is functioning as intended.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Doing DIY Radon Testing

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:44:13 GMT

Radon testing often feels simple on the surface, but small setup mistakes can quietly undermine the accuracy of your results. I’ve worked with many people who used DIY radon testing kits with good intentions but still ended up with misleading readings. In most cases, the issue wasn’t the test itself—it was how the test was set up or managed.

Because radon levels naturally fluctuate, accuracy depends on consistency, placement, and timing. Small changes in daily habits or environmental conditions can have a bigger impact than many homeowners realize. Understanding common mistakes ahead of time can make DIY radon testing far more reliable and less stressful.

Here are some of the most common mistakes homeowners make when doing DIY radon testing:

Placing the radon testing device in the wrong location
Failing to maintain closed-house conditions during radon testing
Changing living habits during the radon testing period
Ending the radon test too early
Conducting radon testing during poor weather conditions
Ignoring HVAC and ventilation system impacts on radon testing
Mishandling or contaminating the radon test kit
Misinterpreting DIY radon testing results

If you’re planning to test your home—or already have—knowing what to avoid can help you feel more confident in the results. Let’s take a closer look at each of these mistakes and why they matter.

One of the most common mistakes I see involves where the radon testing device is placed. Location matters because radon levels are affected by airflow, pressure, and how a space is used. Testing in the wrong spot can produce results that don’t reflect everyday exposure.

Examples of locations that can interfere with accurate testing include:

Near Windows or Exterior Doors: These areas experience frequent air exchange that can temporarily lower radon concentrations. As a result, readings may not reflect typical indoor conditions.
Close to Vents or HVAC Returns: Air movement from vents can disrupt how radon accumulates in a room. This can lead to inconsistent or misleading measurements.
Against Exterior Walls: Exterior walls are more influenced by temperature differences and pressure changes. These factors can affect the stability of radon readings.
In Unused or Rarely Occupied Rooms: Radon testing is meant to measure exposure where people spend time. Testing in unused spaces may not reflect actual risk.

For reliable radon testing, the device should be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home. That might be a basement, a finished lower level, or a frequently used room on the first floor.

Placing the Radon Testing Device in the Wrong Location

Closed- house conditions are essential for short-term radon testing because they help capture a realistic snapshot of indoor radon levels. When outside air is introduced too often, radon concentrations can be diluted. This can make results appear lower than they would be under normal conditions.

Situations that disrupt closed-house conditions include:

Opening Windows for Fresh Air: Fresh air reduces indoor radon levels temporarily. This can result in readings that underestimate actual exposure.
Leaving Exterior Doors Open for Extended Periods: Prolonged door openings affect indoor pressure balance. Even small habits can influence short-term test results.
Running Whole-House Ventilation Systems Unnecessarily: These systems exchange indoor and outdoor air by design. During testing, this can interfere with measuring baseline radon levels.

Closed-house conditions don’t mean sealing the home completely. Normal entry and exit are fine, but windows and exterior doors should otherwise remain closed to maintain consistency.

Another mistake homeowners make is altering their routines during radon testing. Turning off HVAC systems, avoiding certain rooms, or running fans differently can all affect indoor pressure. These changes can unintentionally skew the results.

Radon testing works best when it reflects real-life conditions. I always recommend living normally during the test period. The goal is to measure typical exposure, not a temporarily altered environment.

Changing Living Habits During the Radon Testing Period

Conclusion

DIY radon testing can be a useful and empowering step when it’s done carefully and thoughtfully. Most problems I see come down to small, fixable mistakes rather than major errors, and understanding those details can make a meaningful difference in accuracy. That understanding can help you feel more confident in your results and better equipped to make sense of your home’s indoor air. Taking the time to test carefully can turn what feels like a technical task into something much more manageable and reassuring.

Failing to Maintain Closed-House Conditions During Radon Testing

Radon testing requires patience, but it’s tempting to remove the test kit early. Some homeowners assume they’ve collected enough data before the minimum test duration is complete. Unfortunately, this can lead to unreliable readings.

Radon levels fluctuate throughout the day due to pressure and airflow changes. Following the manufacturer’s recommended exposure time allows the test to capture these variations. Completing the full test period is one of the easiest ways to improve accuracy.

Ending the Radon Test Too Early

Conducting Radon Testing During Poor Weather Conditions

Weather conditions can have a noticeable impact on radon testing results. Storms, strong winds, and rapid pressure changes may temporarily raise or lower radon levels indoors. Testing during extreme weather can create results that don’t reflect normal conditions.

While weather isn’t always predictable, timing your test during calmer conditions is helpful. If severe weather is expected, it may be better to wait. Stable conditions provide a clearer picture of typical radon levels in the home.

Ignoring HVAC and Ventilation System Impacts on Radon Testing

Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems play a major role in how air moves through a home. These systems can change indoor pressure, which affects how radon enters and circulates. Ignoring their influence can make test results harder to interpret.

Systems that can affect radon testing include:

Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans: These fans pull air out of the home and can increase radon entry from below. Using them more than usual can skew results.
Fireplaces or Wood Stoves: Active fireplaces alter airflow and pressure while in use. This can temporarily change radon patterns during testing.
Whole-House Ventilation Systems: These systems intentionally circulate fresh air throughout the home. While beneficial overall, they can interfere with baseline radon measurements.

For the most accurate results, HVAC systems should be operated as they normally would during daily living. Consistency helps ensure the test reflects typical indoor conditions rather than a temporary setup.

Mishandling or Contaminating the Radon Test Kit

Radon test kits may seem simple, but they’re sensitive instruments. Touching the detector unnecessarily, moving it during the test, or placing it too close to objects can interfere with airflow. Even small disruptions can affect accuracy.

Once the kit is placed, it’s best to leave it undisturbed. Follow the handling instructions carefully when opening, sealing, and returning the test. Proper handling helps preserve the integrity of the results.

Misinterpreting DIY Radon Testing Results

Understanding radon test results can be confusing for homeowners. Some people worry unnecessarily over borderline readings, while others dismiss results that require follow-up. Knowing what the numbers mean is just as important as performing the test correctly.

A single radon test offers valuable information, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. In some cases, additional testing may be recommended. Interpreting results thoughtfully helps homeowners make informed, calm decisions.

Prevention Through Radon Testing: Recognizing Radon Poisoning Signs

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:32:32 GMT

Most homeowners never think about radon until it becomes a real concern, and that’s exactly what makes it so dangerous. Radon testing is the only reliable way to detect this invisible gas before it starts affecting your home’s air quality. I’ve met many families who were shocked to learn their home had elevated radon levels despite showing no outward signs. Paying attention early can genuinely protect your family’s health.

Because radon is so easy to overlook, many people don’t learn about it until a test reveals elevated levels, and by then, the exposure may have been happening for months or even years. Radon issues are highly preventable when you know what to look for and understand how testing fits into the bigger picture. In this article, I’ll walk you through the essential signs and prevention strategies so you can take confident steps toward a healthier home.

Below are the key points every homeowner should understand about radon prevention and exposure.

Start with baseline radon testing
Recognize common radon poisoning symptoms
Pay attention to indoor air quality clues
Re-test after home renovations
Test seasonally for the most accurate results
Act quickly if levels rise or symptoms worsen

Learning these basics will help you make sense of both the environmental and health-related warning signs. Keep reading to understand what each point means and how these steps work together to protect your home.

The first and most important step for any homeowner is to conduct radon testing to establish a baseline reading. Whether you use a DIY kit or bring in a professional, this initial measurement tells you where your home stands. Even homes that appear perfectly safe can have elevated radon levels—something I’ve seen countless times. Once you have a baseline, it becomes much easier to track changes and take action if needed.

Baseline testing also helps overcome assumptions. Soil composition, foundation designs, and ventilation patterns vary widely, even between neighboring homes. Because radon behaves differently depending on these factors, testing is the only reliable way to know your true exposure. That initial reading offers peace of mind and a starting point for future monitoring.

Start With Baseline Radon Testing

Radon poisoning symptoms can be difficult to recognize because they often resemble common respiratory issues. Over the years, I’ve spoken with many homeowners who didn’t connect their lingering cough or fatigue to their indoor environment. Some of the most frequently reported symptoms include the following:

Persistent coughing or wheezing
Chest tightness or discomfort
Recurring respiratory infections
Unexplained fatigue
Shortness of breath that worsens indoors

When symptoms like these appear alongside elevated radon levels, they shouldn’t be dismissed. I always encourage homeowners to take these signs seriously because they can point to a deeper issue. And when testing provides clear evidence that radon may be part of the picture, it’s important to pay attention and take the next steps toward protecting your health.

Indoor air quality plays a major role in how radon affects you. In many homes I’ve assessed, radon tends to collect in lower-level areas and in spaces with limited airflow. Headaches, dizziness, or breathing discomfort that worsens indoors can point to a problem worth exploring. These subtle changes often become more noticeable once homeowners start paying closer attention to where they feel their best—and where they don’t.

I regularly remind homeowners that even slight differences in ventilation can make a huge impact on how radon moves through a house. Pairing radon testing with general air quality monitoring gives you a clearer view of what’s happening below the surface. These insights make it easier to take targeted action instead of guessing.

Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality Clues

Conclusion

Radon isn’t something you can see, but it’s absolutely something you can stay in control of. A little consistency with testing, a little awareness of your home’s changes, and an openness to trusting your instincts can go a long way. I’ve watched many homeowners gain genuine peace of mind by taking these small steps, and the difference it makes is real. When you stay informed and take radon seriously, you’re protecting more than your home—you’re protecting the people you love.

Recognize Common Radon Poisoning Symptoms

Home renovations, especially structural changes, can significantly affect radon levels. I’ve seen radon readings shift after everything from basement remodels to new window installations. Retesting is important after projects such as the following:

Finishing or remodeling a basement
Installing new windows or exterior doors
Replacing or upgrading HVAC systems
Sealing foundation cracks or updating insulation
Adding new rooms or making major structural changes

Even small updates can change how air flows through your home, which is why it’s important not to overlook retesting. I usually recommend checking your levels as soon as the work is complete so you know everything is still functioning as it should. It’s a simple step that helps ensure your home stays safe and your mitigation system—if you have one—continues to do its job.

Re-Test After Home Renovations

Test Seasonally for the Most Accurate Results

Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year, and I’ve seen firsthand how different winter conditions can dramatically affect readings. Seasonal testing helps create a full and accurate assessment. Winter is especially important because closed windows and the natural stack effect can trap more radon indoors. Even homes with active mitigation systems can experience seasonal spikes, which is why year-round awareness makes such a difference.

A long-term test once a year is a solid starting point, but supplementing with shorter seasonal tests adds another layer of protection. I often tell homeowners that relying on a single test doesn’t always provide a complete story, especially if your climate has strong seasonal changes. Seasonal radon testing is simple, affordable, and one of the most effective habits you can adopt for ongoing peace of mind.

Act Quickly If Levels Rise or Symptoms Worsen

If radon testin g reveals elevated levels, taking action quickly is key. When I work with homeowners facing high readings, I usually recommend a set of practical steps to get things under control. These steps help create a clear path forward and ensure the problem is addressed effectively:

Contacting a certified radon mitigation professional
Improving ventilation in affected areas
Installing or updating a radon mitigation system
Following up with a medical provider if symptoms persist
Re-testing after mitigation to confirm results

Addressing elevated levels early helps prevent long-term exposure and brings peace of mind back into your home. And if someone in the household is experiencing symptoms that may be related to radon, I always suggest treating the situation with urgency. You deserve to feel confident and safe in your living space.

DIY vs. Professional Radon Testing: Which Is Right for You?

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:27:15 GMT

When I first started working with homeowners, many of them told me they had never even heard of radon until someone mentioned radon testing during a home inspection or while reading about indoor air quality. That is one of the scariest parts about radon because it does not give you any warning signs. You can live with elevated radon levels for years without symptoms, only to discover too late that it has been affecting your health.

Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Yet, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, only behind smoking. What makes it so dangerous is that it seeps quietly into your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps in pipes, sump pumps, and sometimes even through well water. That is why radon testing is not optional. It is essential.

The big question I hear all the time is: Should you do the radon testing yourself, or should you hire a professional like me? Let me walk you through both options so you can make the right call for your home and family.

Know what you’re breathing in: the real story on radon
What it’s really like to test your home yourself
What I experienced when I hired a pro
How I decide which testing method to use (and when)
What do you do after you’ve tested?

No matter which option you are leaning toward, keep reading because understanding the differences could save you time, money, and most importantly, protect your family’s health.

Radon is sneaky. I do not say that lightly. It is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. You cannot see it, you cannot smell it, and you cannot taste it. But it can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pumps, or even well water.

Here is what stands out to me and why I take this so seriously:

EPA estimates show that radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers in the US.
The EPA recommends every home be tested, even if you do not live in a so-called high-risk area.
The only way to know if you are at risk is to actually test. That is it.

Too many homeowners assume that because their house is new or built with modern materials, they are safe. I have tested brand-new homes and found dangerously high radon levels. Radon does not discriminate, and it does not matter how new or old your house is.

Know What You’re Breathing In: The Real Story on Radon

Over the years I have worked with many clients who started with DIY radon test kits before reaching out to me. I have also used them myself for demonstration purposes. There are a couple of main types:

Charcoal canisters: You place them in the lowest livable level of your home, leave them undisturbed for two to seven days, then mail them to a lab for analysis.
Digital detectors: These cost more upfront but give you ongoing real-time readings.

Here is what I have learned about DIY kits:

Advantages

They are the more affordable options, usually below $100.
Convenient to purchase online or at a hardware store.
A reasonable first step if you want a snapshot of your radon levels.

Limitations

Accuracy depends heavily on correct use. Even a small mistake like placing the device near a drafty window or running your HVAC system can produce false results.
Results take time if you are mailing samples to a lab.
Typically only provide short-term data, so you may miss seasonal variations.

I see DIY testing as a good starting point, but it rarely gives homeowners the full picture. Many of my clients who started with DIY kits came to me because their results left them with more questions than answers.

There are some subtleties to understand with radon. Even if radon levels technically test “low enough,” I found there are details that impact your system’s success and long-term performance:

Home Layout and Foundation: Our finished basement influenced the choice of SSD placed in an out-of-the-way corner.
Radon Levels and Severity: Levels over 8 pCi/L (or sustained moderate levels near 4 pCi/L) led us to choose a powered system.
Aesthetic and Space Concerns: I didn't want a big fan sticking out, so finding a compact, quiet model was a priority.
Energy Efficiency and Noise: A continuous fan draws only 40–60 watts, but we still went with an insulated, low-noise fan to avoid nightly annoyance.

Consider Key Factors When Selecting a System

Conclusion

Choosing between DIY and professional radon testing comes down to how much certainty you want and how much risk you are willing to accept. DIY testing can be a useful first step, but professional testing delivers the accuracy and guidance most families need to make informed decisions.

Radon is not something to put off or ignore. It is invisible, silent, and dangerous. But with the right testing and, if necessary, a mitigation system, it is a problem that can be controlled. My advice as a radon professional is simple: test your home, understand your results, and take action if needed. Knowing your radon levels is not just knowledge. It is protection for the people you love.

What It’s Really Like to Test Your Home Yourself

When I conduct professional radon testing, I use advanced, calibrated monitors that track data every hour for 48 hours or more. These devices are far more accurate than anything a homeowner can buy at a store.

Here is what sets professional testing apart:

Higher accuracy: Continuous monitors measure radon fluctuations around the clock, giving a true picture of exposure.
Clear results: I deliver a detailed report that explains the numbers and what they mean for your family.
Guidance: Homeowners do not have to interpret results on their own. I explain whether mitigation is needed and what the next steps are.

Of course, there are trade-offs:

Professional testing costs more, usually around $150.
You need to schedule an appointment for placement and pickup.
It requires allowing the equipment to remain undisturbed for the full test period.

Still, the peace of mind and accuracy make professional testing the best choice for situations where certainty is critical, such as during a home sale, after renovations, or when you suspect high radon levels.

What I Experienced When I Hired a Pro

How I Decide Which Method to Use (and When)

After years of working in this field, here is the approach I recommend to homeowners:

Routine check-up: A DIY kit is acceptable if you simply want a quick update between professional tests.
Buying or selling a home: Always use professional testing. Real estate transactions require certified, documented results.
Living in a radon-prone area: Professional testing every few years is smart, even if your last test was low.
At-risk family members: If you have young children, elderly parents, or anyone with respiratory issues in the home, professional testing is the safest choice.

I often remind families that radon is not a one-time problem you solve and forget. It requires regular monitoring because levels can change over time with weather patterns, soil shifts, and home renovations.

What Do You Do After You’ve Tested?

Knowing what your results mean is just as important as running the test. Here is how I guide homeowners:

Below 2.0 pCi/L: You are in good shape. Retest every two years, or sooner if you renovate.
Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L: Treat this as a caution zone. Retest in a different season or have a professional confirm results.
Above 4.0 pCi/L: This is the EPA action level. Mitigation is strongly recommended.

I have installed mitigation systems for families whose radon levels were dangerously high. In every case, their levels dropped to safe ranges within days. Most systems work quietly in the background, require very little maintenance, and provide peace of mind that your family is protected.

How to Choose the Right Radon Mitigation System for Your Home

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:16:18 GMT

I take radon levels in my home very seriously. As a parent, I feel a deep responsibility to keep my family safe, and that includes keeping the air we breathe clean. After testing our basement and discovering elevated radon, I knew I had to invest in a radon mitigation system . I learned you need to match the right option to a home’s specific structure, foundation type, and radon levels.

Let’s walk through exactly how I chose the best radon mitigation system for us, and how you can, too:

Know your radon levels and home structure
Understand the main types of radon mitigation systems
Consider key factors when selecting a system
Evaluate installation and maintenance requirements
Hire a qualified radon mitigation professional

Here’s my step‑by‑step guide through the essential decisions: from decoding radon test results and home foundation types, to comparing mitigation system types, considering energy and noise factors, and selecting a certified installer. I promise you'll feel confident choosing a radon mitigation system for your specific home and keep your family safe.

A proper radon test is the only way to know your baseline, and it directly informs what mitigation system you need. I ordered a long-term test kit, left it in my basement for 90 days, and felt a mix of anxiety and relief when the results finally came in. Here’s what to consider based on your foundation type:

Basement (Unfinished or Finished): Soil gas depressurization systems work best here. Concrete floors in basements are often porous, making radon entry likely.
Crawl Space: Homes with crawl spaces need encapsulation or crawl‑space ventilation systems to lower radon before it enters the living areas.
Slab-on-Grade: If your home sits on a concrete slab, soil‑pipe depressurization using piping through the slab is often the way to go

Know Your Radon Levels and Home Structure

Picking the best system for your home is easier if you know how each one works, and why it fits your scenario.

Sub‑Slab Depressurization (SSD): By far the most common and reliable method. It uses a PVC pipe and fan to create suction beneath your slab or basement floor, redirecting radon safely outdoors. From my experience, it's effective and straightforward—my system dropped levels within days.
Crawl‑Space Ventilation or Encapsulation: I chose encapsulation when our radon test showed elevated levels near crawl spaces. Installation included a heavy-duty vapor barrier and a small fan that created positive pressure to push radon gas out before it entered the living space.
Drain‑Tile Depressurization: Perfect for homes already equipped with a perimeter drain tile system. I learned this method integrates directly with existing pipes, making use of that enclosed space for more efficient radon suction.
Passive Systems: These are common in new builds. A simple stack pipe offers some reduction, but electric fan activation is usually still necessary for truly low levels.

There are some subtleties to understand with radon. Even if radon levels technically test “low enough,” I found there are details that impact your system’s success and long-term performance:

Home Layout and Foundation: Our finished basement influenced the choice of SSD placed in an out-of-the-way corner.
Radon Levels and Severity: Levels over 8 pCi/L (or sustained moderate levels near 4 pCi/L) led us to choose a powered system.
Aesthetic and Space Concerns: I didn't want a big fan sticking out, so finding a compact, quiet model was a priority.
Energy Efficiency and Noise: A continuous fan draws only 40–60 watts, but we still went with an insulated, low-noise fan to avoid nightly annoyance.

Consider Key Factors When Selecting a System

Conclusion

The best radon mitigation system for your home requires an understanding of your home’s structure, your radon levels, and how various options function. And don’t forget about professional installation and upkeep! From my experience, investing in a correctly sized, certified SSD or crawl space system has given me peace of mind and clean air. With a well-chosen system and ongoing maintenance, you can rest easy knowing your home remains a safe, protective environment for those you love.

Understand the Main Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

Installing radon systems isn't a weekend DIY for most homeowners unless you're a pro. My SSD installation took under half a day with a certified contractor: they drilled a hole, inserted pipe segments, mounted the fan, and vented it well above roof level. Long-term care matters, too. A good system needs:

Periodic airflow checks (once or twice a year)
Fan replacement every 5-10 years
A carbon filter and electrical check during yearly seasonal maintenance

Evaluate Installation and Maintenance Requirements

Hire a Qualified Radon Mitigation Professional

DIY isn't the best path here. Make sure to look for NRPP- or NRSB-certified radon mitigation professionals who are equipped with proof of certification, factory-installed labels, and a clear post-install testing plan.

A comprehensive warranty covering fan defects and system components
Guaranteed post-install testing within a week to confirm new radon levels
Documentation and adherence to state and local regulations (coalitions of radon licensing ensured code compliance)

Comparing Short-Term and Long-Term Radon Testing

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:05:29 GMT

I’ll be honest— radon testing wasn’t something I thought much about until I became a homeowner. But once I learned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., I couldn’t ignore it anymore, especially not with young kids at home.

Radon is invisible. You can’t smell it, you can’t see it, and you won’t feel a thing. That’s what makes it so dangerous—and why radon testing is something I now take very seriously. So, let me help with that. I’ve used both short-term and long-term radon tests, and there are real differences. Choosing the right radon test depends on your timeline, your goals, and your personal comfort level. I’ll make radon simple by explaining:

The invisible threat lurking in your home
Two ways to test: what you should know
Short-term radon testing: Quick, but limited
Long-term radon testing: Getting the full picture
Which radon test should you choose?
What happens after the results come in?

If you're overwhelmed, don’t worry—I’ve felt that way, too, at first. So, let’s take it step-by-step to give you a better understanding of radon and how to test for it.

First, let’s talk about what radon actually is. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pumps, and even through well water.

I didn’t know any of that until I had my home tested. But once I understood that long-term radon exposure can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer, I knew I couldn’t just ignore the possibility.

And here’s the scary part: radon levels can vary from house to house—even in the same neighborhood. Your next-door neighbor could be fine while your basement is quietly accumulating dangerous levels. That’s why you need radon testing.

The Invisible Threat Lurking in Your Home

When it comes to radon testing, there are two main methods: short-term and long-term. Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). According to the EPA, any reading at or above 4.0 pCi/L is considered actionable. But that number doesn’t mean much unless you have accurate, reliable data—and that’s where choosing the right test really matters.

I started with a short-term test. Here’s what I learned:

Duration: Typically runs for 2–7 days
Devices: Charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, or digital radon detectors
Best for: Getting quick results, especially during home sales or early screening

Pros:

Fast turnaround
Affordable and easy to find at most hardware stores
Simple setup—no pro needed

Cons:

Readings can swing wildly depending on windows, weather, or even where you place the test
Doesn’t reflect long-term exposure
May give a false sense of security (or panic)

I used a charcoal test kit for my first round. It was easy—I followed the instructions, mailed it in, and got results within a week. But the number I got left me wondering, is this really accurate?

Short-Term Radon Testing: Quick, but Limited

Conclusion

There’s a lot we can’t control in life. But testing for radon? That’s something we can do—quickly, affordably, and with real peace of mind at the end of it. Whether you go with short-term or long-term radon testing, please take that first step. You don’t need to be a scientist or an expert. You just need to care enough to do it. I’ll tell you this: knowing your radon levels—really knowing—is one of the smartest things you can do as a homeowner. Your health and your safety are well worth it.

Two Ways to Test: What You Should Know

So, I followed up with a long-term test. And honestly? I’m so glad I did. Let me introduce you to the basics:

Duration: Runs for 90 days to one full year
Devices: Alpha track detectors or continuous digital monitors
Best for: Understanding year-round averages and confirming borderline results

Pros:

Far more reliable
Accounts for daily and seasonal fluctuations
Gives a more complete picture of actual risk

Cons:

Takes longer
Slightly more expensive
Requires patience (which, I admit, is not my strong suit)

But here’s the thing (and I think you’ll agree with me, here): when it comes to my family’s health, I’d rather wait a few months and know for sure than make assumptions based on a quick reading.

Long-Term Radon Testing: Getting the Full Picture

Which Radon Test Should You Choose?

I like to think of short-term tests as a snapshot. But long-term tests? They give you a closer look at real conditions over time. Here’s how I think about testing now:

If you’re buying or selling a home, use a short-term test. It’s fast, easy, and often required.
If this is your first test ever, start with short-term. But don’t stop there if your numbers are close to the EPA’s 4.0 threshold.
If you want peace of mind, long-term is the way to go. Especially if you live in a radon-prone area or spend a lot of time in the basement.
If your short-term test showed borderline or fluctuating levels, follow up with a long-term test to be sure.

What Happens After the Results Come In?

Here’s where a lot of people freeze up. You get your results—then what? I’ll put it simply here:

Below 2.0 pCi/L? You’re probably in the clear. No further action needed for now.
Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L? This is the gray zone. Consider running a long-term test or talking to a mitigation expert.
Above 4.0 pCi/L? Don’t panic—but certainly act. Schedule a consultation with a certified radon mitigation specialist.

That’s exactly what I did. I called someone out to walk me through my options, and we installed a mitigation system that pulls the radon out from beneath the house before it ever reaches the living space. It wasn’t even that disruptive—and now, my numbers are consistently low.

How Radon Testing Can Prevent Long-Term Health Issues

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:56:16 GMT

Radon is one of those invisible threats most homeowners don’t think about, but they should. Unlike mold or carbon monoxide, radon doesn’t smell or cause any immediate symptoms, and it won’t set off any alarms. It seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, slowly building up over time and increasing the risk of lung cancer. This is where routine radon testing becomes essential.

As a radon testing and mitigation specialist, I know there’s a lot of information you should know in order to keep your family safe from long-term health issues. In this article, we’ll go over some of them:

What is radon?
The health risks associated with radon exposure
Why radon testing is essential for every home
Types of radon tests
How to reduce high radon levels in your home
Radon testing and prevention

The good news is that radon exposure is completely preventable. With radon testing and mitigation, you can keep your home safe and protect your family’s health. Let’s talk about it!

Radon, an odorless, invisible gas, occurs when uranium in the soil and rock breaks down. Since uranium is in most types of soil, radon is everywhere, including in Connecticut. It’s not really an issue when it’s outdoors; the problem starts when it gets trapped inside your home.

This gas sneaks in through cracks in foundations, floors, and walls, as well as gaps around pipes and sump pumps. If you have a well, radon can also get in through your water supply. Since you cannot see or smell it, the only way to know if your home has high radon levels is to test for it.

What Is Radon?

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer among non-smokers, and it causes about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles get trapped in your lungs, damaging the tissue over time. The longer you are exposed, the higher your risk of developing lung cancer.

Certain groups of people are at an even greater risk. Smokers who are exposed to radon have a much higher chance of developing lung cancer than non-smokers. Children and the elderly are also more vulnerable because their lungs are more sensitive. Since radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms, people can live in high-radon environments for years without realizing the danger. This is why testing is so important.

The only way to know if your home has high radon levels is to test for it. Since radon is colorless and odorless, you won’t know it is there unless you check. Any home, whether old or new, can have high radon levels.

Testing is especially important in certain situations:

Buying or selling a home: A standard home inspection doesn’t usually include radon testing, but many buyers request it. Sellers can also test their homes ahead of time to deal with any issues before listing the property.
After renovations or foundation repairs: Major structural changes can alter how radon enters your home. If you’ve had work done on your foundation, basement, or crawl space, it’s a good idea to test again.
If you live in a high-radon area: Some areas naturally have higher radon levels. If you live in one of these places, testing regularly is the best way to stay safe.

Regular radon testing gives you peace of mind and helps prevent serious health problems down the road. If high levels are found, mitigation systems can reduce radon to safe levels, protecting your home and your loved ones.

Why Radon Testing Is Essential for Every Home

Conclusion

Radon is a silent but serious threat that can put your health at risk without you even knowing it. Since it is invisible and odorless, the only way to detect it is through radon testing. The good news is that reducing radon exposure is entirely possible. Take the time to test your home, and if needed, invest in mitigation measures. A simple test today could make all the difference in keeping you and your family safe.

The Health Risks Associated with Radon Exposure

Radon testing is simple and affordable, and there are a few different options depending on how quickly you need results.

Short-term radon tests (2-7 days): These are great for getting a quick snapshot of your home’s radon levels, and you can pick up a test at any home improvement store. They usually involve a small device or charcoal canister that absorbs radon over a few days. Once the test is complete, you send it to a lab for analysis. Short-term tests are useful if you are buying or selling a home or just want a basic idea of your radon levels.
Long-term radon tests (more than 90 days): These tests provide a more accurate reading by measuring radon levels over several months. Because radon levels can fluctuate due to weather and seasonal changes, long-term tests give the most reliable results.
DIY vs. professional radon testing: You can buy a DIY radon test kit at most hardware stores or online, and they are usually pretty easy to use. However, if you want the most accurate results or need help interpreting them, hiring a professional radon tester is a good option.
Whichever method you choose, following the instructions carefully is key to getting an accurate reading.

Types of Radon Tests

How to Reduce High Radon Levels in Your Home

If you test your home and find that radon levels are high, do not panic. There are several ways to reduce exposure and make your home safer.

Improve ventilation: Opening windows and using fans can help disperse radon gas, especially in basements.
Seal foundation cracks and gaps: Radon enters homes through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors. Sealing these gaps can help reduce radon infiltration.
Install a radon mitigation system: The most effective solution for high radon levels is a radon mitigation system. The most common method is sub-slab depressurization, which involves installing a vent pipe and fan to draw radon out of your home before it can accumulate.

The cost of radon mitigation varies, but it may cost a few thousand dollars or more. While this might seem like a large investment, it’s worth it for the long-term health and safety of your family.

Radon Testing and Prevention

Protecting your home from radon is easier than you might think. A little effort now can save you from serious health risks in the future.

Test your home regularly: Radon levels can change over time, so test at least every two years.
Take action if needed: If high levels are detected, do not wait to install a mitigation system.
Encourage others to test: Spread the word to friends and family. The more people who test their homes, the more lives can be saved.

Radon exposure is preventable, but only if you take the right steps. Testing is simple, and solutions are available if levels are too high. By making radon testing a priority, you are protecting your health and your future.

Can Having a Radon System Boost Home Value?

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:46:42 GMT

As a homeowner, you’re all about discovering ways you can elevate your curb appeal, even if you have no intention of putting your home on the market. After all, a well-tended-to-home is always an aspiration. Radon mitigation systems are a likely component of driving up curb appeal, believe it or not.

Radon is a clear, tasteless, odorless gas that can enter your home undetected, eventually leading to diagnosis of serious, potentially fatal conditions, such as lung cancer. That makes radon testing and mitigation methods essential, especially if your home is located in a high-radon area.

Can adding a radon system to your home improve its curb appeal? Yes, you can likely boost your property value by spearheading safety precautions against radon. Learn everything you need to know, such as:

Radon and its importance for homeowners
How a radon mitigation system works
How a radon system increases home value
Factors that can influence the impact of a radon mitigation system on home value
Additional considerations, including ROI and installation costs

Of course, radon mitigation is about much more than elevating your curb appeal. It’s about preserving your health and well-being as well as that of your family members. Ahead, discover everything you need to know about radon mitigation systems.

Going back to what we described above, radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground. Crawl spaces and basements are the likeliest culprits for radon, but it can spread to other parts of the home.

Long-term radon exposure carries many severe health risks, especially lung cancer. The EPA reports that 21,000 people will die of lung cancer annually due to radon exposure. It’s no wonder it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

The level of radon in homes varies across the country. The only way to be sure if your home has elevated levels of the gas is by testing. Homeowners should make it a habit to test regularly, then contact a professional service for radon mitigation. This decision is for their long-term health and safety.

What Is Radon and Why Is It Important for Homeowners?

So, what exactly is a radon system, and how does it work? Well, radon mitigation systems are designed to eliminate radon from a residential property to make it safer for its inhabitants.

Let’s begin with a system overview. Radon mitigation systems include components, like a fan and vent pipe. They work in conjunction with identifying and blocking openings and cracks around the home’s foundation. By sealing these off, radon can’t easily enter.

The system draws radon from beneath the home, then vents the gas safely outdoors. This way, radon cannot enter living spaces. Professional installation is crucial for mitigation systems to work effectively. Even still, homeowners should plan to test radon levels again after system installation as well as regularly to ensure the mitigation system is doing its job.

Now that you understand how a radon mitigation system works and how it benefits homeowners, the next question is the one that’s been weighing heavily on your mind. Does mitigating radon boost your property value?

The answer is yes, in most cases.

A radon mitigation system can elevate curb appeal by addressing the major health concern that is radon. Homebuyers want to know that a property is safe to inhabit, especially in radon-heavy areas. A mitigation system soothes those concerns.

Additionally, homes with an active mitigation system are usually perceived as “move-in ready,” meaning buyers can unpack without having to worry about costly remediation. On top of that, many homebuyers prefer properties that already have an existing radon mitigation system, especially in regions known for elevated radon levels.

That said, this isn’t a universal priority for all buyers, but it still can’t hurt to have a safety measure, like a mitigation system, in place.

Plus, your radon system will help your property stand out in a competitive market without drastically driving up the sales price. Overall, a radon mitigation system is a value-add for certain buyers.

Does Having a Radon System Increase Home Value?

Sources

Conclusion

A radon mitigation system may not dramatically increase home value, but it can have a positive effect. Plus, you get the benefit of having a home that’s marketable, safe, and appealing, especially in areas with known radon risks. Assess your personal needs, overall market conditions, and geographic factors, then consult with a real estate professional to determine how impactful a radon system can be for your property.

How a Radon Mitigation System Works

Of course, most answers about improving home value are not so cut and dried, and the same goes for a radon mitigation system. Let’s review the factors that determine how much of an impact radon mitigation will have on your property value:

Location: If you live in an area known for low or moderate radon levels, then a mitigation system is less impactful. In high-radon areas, a system like this is more appealing and critical to potential buyers.
Home Condition and Age: The general age and condition of your home can also determine its overall value. If your home is otherwise falling apart, then a radon system will only be a drop in the bucket. Instead, these systems are most beneficial in well-maintained, energy-efficient homes.
Home Price Range: Mitigating radon is an excellent choice for safety and well-being, but it has less of an effect on home pricing. Therefore, homes in the higher price ranges with radon mitigation systems might not see the same impact as homes in lower price ranges. Luxury buyers might be less focused on radon levels.
Market Trends: One can’t turn a blind eye to market trends. The condition of the real estate market, including whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market and the amount of competition will influence how much of an impact a radon mitigation system has on home value.

Factors That Can Influence the Impact of a Radon System on Home Value

Additional Considerations: Cost of Installation and Return on Investment

Before you make the jump and upgrade your property with a radon system, consider factors, like installation costs and ROI.

Beginning with installation, Angi reports that the average price range for a home in the US to mitigate radon is $787 to $1,274, with average costs of $1,028. High-end mitigation can go up to $1,750. Factors, such as installation complexity, foundation type, and home size, can increase or decrease costs.

As for ROI, the direct financial return on investment when installing a radon mitigation system isn’t usually much. However, the long-term health benefits and peace of mind you can enjoy while knowing you can spread that peace to future homeowners is priceless.

Be advised that most homeowner’s insurance policies will not cover radon mitigation, nor will it lower your rates. However, your liability decreases by taking strides to make your home safer and more habitable, especially if a potential buyer is concerned about health risks.

Once installed, a radon mitigation system generally requires little maintenance. You must continue scheduling regular inspections, so the system operates optimally, and you’ll have to test your radon levels as well.

Radon Mitigation Solutions

You’ve determined that it’s time to call in the professionals for radon. What mitigation options are available to you as a homeowner? They include:

Radon Sump Systems: Radon pumps are fan-based systems also known as active soil depressurization. The fan will generate air from your property’s soil, then transfer it to a pipe. The pipe, which is installed near your roof, sends the radon-containing air outside to make your home safer.
Improving Ventilation: Exhaust fans are key in improving ventilation around your home and keeping radon levels low. A radon mitigation specialist will recommend kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans at the very least. They might also suggest ventilation options around clothing dryers, furnaces, and fireplaces.
Sealing Cracks: Blocking cracks and openings around your property with caulk or replacement materials is usually done in conjunction with the above mitigation strategies. Sealing cracks ensure radon-filled air cannot enter.

Hiring qualified, trusted professionals to treat radon will instill in you peace of mind that your home and loved ones are safe. A qualified team can also maintain your mitigation systems to keep radon off your property long-term.

Recognizing the Signs: Why Radon Mitigation Is a Must

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:38:19 GMT

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can pose serious health risks. The gas has no discernible scent, color, or taste, so it can unsuspectingly linger on properties. That’s why radon mitigation is such an important home maintenance task.

What do you need to know about radon? You can get well-versed on radon mitigation through the following:

Understanding radon and its risks
Signs of radon presence
Symptoms of radon exposure
Testing for radon
When to consider radon mitigation
Radon mitigation solutions

Homeowners must know the basics of radon, including symptoms and mitigation methods, to protect themselves and their loved ones. Discover more valuable information ahead, so you can adequately prepare.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA , radon occurs due to radioactive metal decaying in groundwater, soil, or rocks. Since the metals that comprise it, such as radium, thorium, and uranium, are radioactive, so too is radon.

As we mentioned before, you can’t see or smell radon, allowing for insidious entry into residential properties. It only takes cracks or small openings in construction joists, walls, and floors for radon to get into your home.

Once it’s there, you won’t know you’re breathing it in unless you experience symptoms. However, prolonged exposure can destroy healthy lung tissue and potentially cause lung cancer. The EPA reports that 21,000 people will die of lung cancer per year due to radon exposure, and that almost 2,900 of the deaths are nonsmokers.

Understanding Radon and Its Risks

So, if you can’t see radon or smell it in the air, how will you know it’s there? You can rely on indicators or get answers outright by testing. Here is more information on your methods:

Determine Your Level of Ventilation: Low levels of ventilation throughout the home, but especially in crawl spaces and basements, make your home more likely to have radon.
Review Historical Records: If prior homeowners or those who currently live in your neighborhood have reported radon on their properties, that increases the likelihood of it occurring on or near yours as well.
Gauge Your Risk Level: Certain environments contribute more to radon, such as those with particular geographical formations. Living in a high-risk area makes you more likely to experience radon exposure.
 Radon Testing: Of course, the only way to be 100 percent certain whether you’ve been exposed to radon is through testing. You can purchase a DIY radon testing kit or hire professionals. Testing kits read your air quality over an extended period.

The presence of radon in your home need not surprise you. Be aware of physical symptoms and signs that indicate you might have been exposed. If you experience these health issues, contact your doctor or another medical professional for a consultation:

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
Persistent coughing
Coughing up blood
Wheezing
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarse throat
Chest tightness or pain

Please be advised that just because you have one or more of the above symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you’re suffering from radon exposure. The symptoms are often non-specific and might not appear until after significant health damage has occurred.

That’s why radon testing is so valuable.

Symptoms of Radon Exposure

Sources

Conclusion

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, which makes detection impossible with the naked eye. Rather, you should rely on radon testing, doing this once every two years to get accurate readings. Be ready to employ radon mitigation as required to stay safe and healthy.

Signs of Radon Presence

We mentioned before that you can test for radon yourself with a DIY kit or hire professionals to do it, but those aren’t the only distinctions between testing kits. There are also short-term and long-term kits, so let’s explain how they’re different.

The primary disparity between them boils down to one factor: testing times.

A short-term test will tell you if you have radon on your property right now. The least amount of time you’d test the air is two days, and the longest is 90 days. Long-term radon tests will capture air samples for 90 days or longer.

If possible, we recommend opting for a long-term test. Radon levels tend to be inconsistent, so measuring the gas in the air for shorter periods might not produce the most accurate results.

Regardless of which type of radon test you’re interested in, you should know where to find them. Most home improvement stores stock DIY radon tests, including short-term and long-term tests. Big-box department stores might also have them.

However, if you can’t find any testing kits in your local stores, you can always shop online. Overnight and same-day shipping means you don’t have to wait long to begin measuring radon on your property.

Going forward, plan to be diligent, and test your property every two years. An acceptable level of radon is between 1.3 and 2.6 picocuries per liter or pCi/L. Even though your home is considered safe under EPA standards, you should still continue testing and monitoring radon levels on your property.

Testing for Radon

When to Consider Radon Mitigation

If your results read anything over 4 pCi/L, you should strongly consider looking into radon mitigation. We also suggest mitigation services in these scenarios:

If your home is regularly occupied and you’ve tested for high radon levels.
When occupancy changes occur, such as more people moving into your home.
If you change how you use certain spaces, like if you finish a basement.

You should consider reevaluating your radon levels in these scenarios even if you tested at the borderline. Disturbing your home’s foundation could allow radon to enter, so the levels could be higher than the last time you tested.

Radon Mitigation Solutions

You’ve determined that it’s time to call in the professionals for radon. What mitigation options are available to you as a homeowner? They include:

Radon Sump Systems: Radon pumps are fan-based systems also known as active soil depressurization. The fan will generate air from your property’s soil, then transfer it to a pipe. The pipe, which is installed near your roof, sends the radon-containing air outside to make your home safer.
Improving Ventilation: Exhaust fans are key in improving ventilation around your home and keeping radon levels low. A radon mitigation specialist will recommend kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans at the very least. They might also suggest ventilation options around clothing dryers, furnaces, and fireplaces.
Sealing Cracks: Blocking cracks and openings around your property with caulk or replacement materials is usually done in conjunction with the above mitigation strategies. Sealing cracks ensure radon-filled air cannot enter.

After the Radon Testing: What to Do When Radon Levels are High?

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:31:05 GMT

You’ve gotten your home tested for radon, which is an important step toward improving your home’s air quality. The radon testing results are back, and they’re high. I know you are concerned—radon gas, even though it’s colorless and odorless, can seriously affect your health if left unchecked. But don’t worry; you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to fix the problem and keep your family safe.

When I sit down with my clients, we talk about the various next steps you can take after radon testing shows elevated levels of the gas:

Understand radon and the health risks involved
Take these immediate actions
Implement long-term mitigation solutions
Plan for monitoring and maintenance

At Radon Systems of CT, we specialize in radon testing and mitigation services. My team of experienced professionals has helped countless homeowners, like you, address high radon levels and create healthier homes. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through what radon is, why it’s dangerous, and what you can do if your radon test shows high levels.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. While radon is usually harmless when it stays outdoors, it can build up to dangerous levels inside your home. This is most common in basements and other low areas. The gas seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and other openings. Since radon is invisible and has no smell, the only way to detect it is through testing. That’s why regular radon testing is so crucial.

Health Implications

The biggest health risk from radon is lung cancer. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States – responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year, explains the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA . Smokers are at the highest risk, but anyone exposed to high radon levels over time is also vulnerable. Children and the elderly are in the greatest danger, but anyone can be affected. The health risk from radon increases significantly with prolonged exposure, which is why it’s so important to address high radon levels quickly if testing shows them to be high.

Recommended Action Levels

The EPA recommends radon mitigation if your radon levels are at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. If your test results are above this level, it’s time to act. Even if levels are below 4 pCi/L, it’s still worth considering ways to lower them, as any exposure to radon carries some risk. Remember, radon mitigation is not just about reaching a safe number—it’s about minimizing your family’s long-term health risks.

Understanding Radon and Health Risks

Ventilation

One of the quickest ways to lower radon levels in your home is to increase airflow. Open your windows, and use fans to circulate air to help the radon gas escape – reducing its concentration indoors. This method is good to try in the short term if you’re waiting for a radon mitigation system to be installed. However, it’s important to understand that this is only a temporary fix and should be used while arranging a more permanent solution.

Seal Cracks and Openings

Radon gets into your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and other openings. Sealing these entry points can help reduce radon levels, though it’s not enough on its own. Check your basement floors and walls for any cracks or gaps. Use caulk or sealants to close them up. Expanding foam, hydraulic cement, and epoxy sealants are all good options, depending on the size and location of the crack. Also, check the areas around pipes, sump pumps, and other places where radon could enter. While this step can help lower radon levels, it’s often more effective when paired with other mitigation efforts.

Monitor Levels

After taking these initial steps, it’s important to keep an eye on your radon levels. Radon levels can fluctuate based on things, like weather, soil moisture, and changes in your home’s ventilation. For example, heavy rain can increase radon levels as water in the soil forces more radon into your home. Using a continuous radon monitor will give you real-time information – helping you see how well your efforts are working and if further action is needed. Some homeowners choose to rent a monitor for a short period, but you can also buy one for ongoing peace of mind. Either way, monitoring is essential to see whether your radon levels are still high after trying the DIY methods mentioned above.

Radon Mitigation Systems

A radon mitigation system is the best long-term fix for high radon levels. The most common type is called sub-slab depressurization. This type of system involves installing a pipe and fan system that uses reverse air pressure to pull radon from your home and vent it outside. This reduces the pressure difference between the ground and your home – preventing radon from getting inside.

Another option is sub-membrane depressurization, which is used in homes with crawl spaces. A plastic sheet is placed over the crawl space floor, and a vent pipe system draws radon out from beneath the membrane and vents it outside. Each system is tailored to your home’s style and type.

Professional Installation

If you’re handy, you might be tempted to tackle radon mitigation yourself. It’s best to hire a certified professional, however. Someone on my team can assess your home, design a system that works for your specific situation, and make sure it’s installed correctly. Improper installation can lead to poor results, so this is one job where it pays to get professional help.

Certified radon mitigation professionals follow standards set by organizations, like the EPA and the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) – ensuring that your system is safe and reliable. At Radon Systems of CT, our team has extensive experience installing these systems and providing ongoing support to keep your home safe.

Cost and Considerations

The cost of a radon mitigation system can vary based on your home’s size and how complex the installation is. Some factors that influence the cost include the type of foundation your home has, the amount of sealing required, and whether additional features, like a backup fan, are needed.

While this might seem like a big investment, it’s important to think about the health benefits and peace of mind of knowing your home and family are safe from radon. Many homeowners find that the cost is well worth it when weighed against the long-term health risks of radon exposure.

Long-Term Mitigation Solutions

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Conclusion

Learning that your home has high radon levels can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity to take action and protect your family’s health. By improving ventilation, sealing cracks, and installing a professional radon mitigation system, you can reduce radon levels and ensure your home is safe. Regular testing and maintenance will keep your system working effectively for years to come. At Radon Systems of CT, we’re here to help you through the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out for expert advice and support.

Immediate Actions to Take

Regular Testing

After you’ve had your radon mitigation system installed, regular testing is key to making sure it’s still working. For most clients, I recommend testing your home every two years or after any major changes to your home, like renovations, installing new windows, or adding an extension. Some people prefer to test annually, particularly if their radon levels were very high prior to mitigation. Regular testing will give you peace of mind that your system is doing its job and keeping radon levels low.

System Maintenance

Like anything else in your home, a radon mitigation system needs regular maintenance to work properly. This can include checking the fan, making sure the vent pipe is clear, and inspecting the seals around the system. Fans typically last about five to 15 years, so it’s important to be aware of their condition and replace them when necessary. Also, make sure the system’s warning device, which alerts you if the fan stops working, is functioning correctly. Many radon mitigation companies, including Radon Systems of CT, offer maintenance services to keep your system running smoothly and catch any problems early.

Additional Safety Measures

In addition to your radon mitigation system, you might want to consider other ways to improve your home’s air quality, like installing an air purification system. These systems can help remove other pollutants from the air, such as dust, mold, and allergens – making your home even safer and healthier. Some air purifiers are designed to work alongside your HVAC system – providing whole-house air cleaning. Combining radon mitigation with other air quality improvements can create a healthier indoor environment overall.

Monitoring and Maintenance

How Effective are Radon Systems?

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:15:37 GMT

If you’re in Connecticut, you have probably heard about the health effects and dangers of radon, and you may wonder whether radon mitigation systems are effective. The good news is that while there are risks associated with having radon in your home, professionally installed radon mitigation systems are very effective at reducing radon levels and keeping your family safe.

I’d like to talk about a few things regarding radon and radon systems in this article:

Understanding radon and its risks
How radon mitigation works
How effective radon systems are
The benefits of professional installation
How to maintain your radon system

At Radon Systems of CT, we take pride in keeping individuals and families in the Nutmeg State safe from radon. We work with folks who live in all types of homes, and we’re familiar with the architecture and the different types of radon equipment needed. We encourage you to call us if you need radon testing or a mitigation system.

We’re going to go over a lot of information about radon and its treatment, so sit back, relax, and keep reading!

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is released from the soil, rock, and water. It can easily enter homes through cracks in the foundation or floors. It can also come in through gaps around pipes and other small openings. The problem is that once it’s in your home, it tends to accumulate, sometimes to dangerous levels.

You don’t know that you have radon unless you test for it, which is something that my team does. Since it doesn’t smell or taste like anything, and it doesn’t damage any of your walls, flooring, ceilings, furniture, or other household surfaces, it’s likely not something you worry about. Unfortunately, radon comes with a major health risk – lung cancer.

As you inhale radon gas, the radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. Over a long period of time, usually many years, those particles can cause lung tissue damage, and that damage can lead to lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute says there may also be a link to leukemia from being exposed to radon.

Radon testing works by detecting how much radon is in the air. If your home’s radon levels are over 4 pCi/L, you’ll be advised to have radon mitigation performed as soon as possible.

Understanding Radon and Its Risks

The solution to having high radon levels is to invest in a radon mitigation system. They work in a few different ways, mainly by preventing the gas from entering the home and also removing radon from the air inside of the home and releasing it outdoors, where it’s harmless. My team will be able to inspect your home to recommend the best type of radon system for you.

There are three main types of radon mitigation systems:

Sub-slab depressurization: This method is best for homes with a concrete slab foundation. It involves installing a vent pipe through the slab into the soil underneath. There’s a fan attached to the pipe that draws the radon gas from the soil and expels it outside – preventing it from seeping up into the home.
Drain-tile suction: If your home has drain tiles around the foundation, we can connect a vent pipe to the tiles to collect the radon and then vent it outside. This is similar to sub-slab depressurization, but we’re using your existing drain tiles.
Sub-membrane depressurization: This is used when you have a crawl space. We place a membrane over the soil in the crawl space to create a barrier. A pipe and fan system is installed underneath the membrane to draw the radon out from under the sheet to release it outside – preventing the gas from getting into the house.

The type of foundation you have will determine which is the best type of radon system for your home.

Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

Sources

Conclusion

Radon is a serious issue, but it doesn’t have to keep you up at night worrying. Radon systems are very effective at mitigating high radon levels, and it’s a simple process to have one installed in your home. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for testing, and we can help you go from there to determine which type of mitigation equipment is right for you and your home.

How Radon Mitigation Systems Work

Radon mitigation systems are very effective at reducing indoor radon levels. In fact, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension says that an effective system can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99 percent – virtually eliminating the radon and the risk. With that being said, you should know about the factors that might affect the efficacy as well as some common challenges.

Effectiveness of Radon Mitigation Systems

Type of system: The type of system used needs to correlate with the type of foundation and housing structure your home has.
Quality of installation: Your radon system will only work properly if it’s been installed by someone who understands how to do so properly. Look for a certified radon mitigation professional, like those at Radon Systems of CT.
Maintenance: You need to have your radon system checked regularly to ensure the fan is working and that the system is functioning correctly.

Factors Influencing Effectiveness

Improper installation: Don’t use just any contractor to install your radon system. Only rely on the services of an expert in the field, as improper installation can lead to system failure.
Sealing cracks and openings: If all of the cracks and openings in the foundation aren’t sealed, radon gas can continue to seep in. Make sure your radon specialist is thoroughly inspecting the foundation and sealing up any potential entry points.
Power outages: Your electric radon fans will stop working during power outages. If your home is prone to having the power go out, consider installing a battery backup system.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Benefits of Professional Installation

Hiring a professional to install your radon mitigation system offers a variety of benefits:

Knowledge of radon: Unlike a general contractor, a radon specialist will have in-depth knowledge of how radon gets into homes and how to prevent it from accumulating.
Specific training: We have been trained to assess the characteristics of individual homes, including those with uncommon layouts.
Familiarity with guidelines: We’re in-tune with not only the national regulations but also the local guidelines and best practices for mitigating radon.

Quality assurance goes beyond the installation; it ensures that your radon system is continuing to work to keep you and your family safe. Some of the assurances you’ll get from us include:

Warranties: We offer warranties on our products and our workmanship, and we’ll fix anything that isn’t working with your radon system.
Follow-up testing: In order to make sure your system is effectively reducing radon levels, follow-up testing is done.
Maintenance and support: If you have any questions or concerns about your system, we’re happy to help. Also, we can check your system to be sure it’s working properly if you are unsure.

Quality Assurance

Maintaining Your Radon Mitigation System

It’s important to maintain your radon system and also to perform periodic testing.

Regular Maintenance Tips

Check the fan: Regularly check to make sure the fan is running and that it sounds as it should. If there are unusual noises or vibrations, give us a call.
Inspect seals and joints: Inspect the seals and joints around the vent pipes to make sure they are still intact. Reseal them if necessary.
Clean and clear vents: The exterior vent can get blocked by leaves, snow, or other debris. Make sure it’s clear, so the gas can continue to escape.
Professional inspections: Schedule an annual inspection, so we can perform a thorough check of the entire system and catch any problems early.

Importance of Periodic Testing

Periodic follow-up tests are important because they’ll let us know right away if your radon system isn’t working properly. We’ll be able to detect system failures and ensure your radon levels are still below 4 pCi/L. This is vital to maintaining your health and safety over time, as there will be no outward signs that radon has begun accumulating in your home again. Ask your specialist how frequently you should have your radon re-tested.

The Benefits of Radon Mitigation Beyond Clean & Healthy Air

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:06:00 GMT

When it comes to keeping the air quality in our homes safe, relying on a reputable radon mitigation company is vital. Many of my clients don’t realize that addressing high radon levels provides benefits beyond the improvement of air quality, though.

Here are some ways that you’ll benefit from having radon mitigation completed other other than the primary goal of healthier air:

Preservation of property value
Enhanced energy efficiency
Improved quality of life

Let’s go into how having your radon levels reduced can help with all of these.

Having higher-than-acceptable radon levels can significantly impact your property values. Many buyers will request a radon test; people are becoming more aware of the health risks associated with radon exposure . By investing in a radon mitigation system, you are taking a proactive measure to address buyers’ concerns and making your home more marketable.

When listing your home, having a system in place makes it more attractive to buyers, as it’s one less thing they’ll need to worry about. It can even give you a competitive edge over other properties in your area without radon systems in place.

In addition, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your buyers aren’t going to come back asking for a price reduction after a radon test comes back high. You already know the air quality is good, so there’s no need to be concerned about radon problems surfacing during the inspection period.

Preservation of Property Value

While you might think a radon mitigation system will add to your electric bills due to the fans in use, the opposite often occurs. Let me explain:

A depressurization system, which uses a fan to create negative pressure under your home, can reduce airflow through the foundation. This can prevent cold air from leaching in during the winter. Not only does this lower your utility bills by requiring less heating, but it can also help your HVAC system last longer since it’s not fighting against the infiltration of the cold air in your basement or lower level.

Of course, any way you can reduce your energy consumption can reduce your carbon footprint, which is better for the environment as a whole.

While you can’t measure your quality of life the way you can measure your radon levels, knowing that you have addressed your radon problem and have a mitigation system in place that’s keeping you and your family safe can lead to greater peace of mind. You’ll feel better knowing that not only are you safe but you’re also reducing your family’s risk of developing lung cancer decades from now.

Particularly if you have a family member who will one day smoke or who has another predisposition to developing cancer, you will know you did everything you could to prevent radon-associated lung cancer during the period of time they live in your home. This can add to their quality of life as well as your own.

Improved Quality of Life

Sources

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/health-service-regulation/north-carolina-radon-program/health-impacts-radon

Conclusion

The primary reason to have your home tested for radon and have a radon mitigation system installed is to keep radon out of the home and to improve your overall air quality and future health. It’s important to also keep in mind the other benefits, though, and these include a boosted property value, better energy efficiency, and peace of mind. Give me or my team a call to schedule radon testing now if you haven’t had it done recently, and we’d be happy to walk you through your options if you do have high radon levels.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Air Intruders: How Radon Sneaks into Your Home and Why Radon Testing Matters?

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:59:46 GMT

As you might imagine, radon testing and mitigation is very important not only to me but also to my clients. Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes. While you won’t notice radon right away, it poses a long-term danger in the form of lung damage, including lung cancer.

In this arti cle, I want to tackle the three reasons on why radon testing is important:

Radon can happen anywhere
Radon testing is vital to a healthy home
Radon testing has health and financial benefits

If you’re interested in learning more about radon testing and mitigation, keep reading!

Radon is an issue in every state and in homes of every type and every age. It’s a common issue in Connecticut. The EPA has developed a map showing that the southern half of the state is more likely to be impacted by radon. However, this doesn’t mean that those in northern Connecticut or those in other states aren’t at risk; radon can happen anywhere.

Radon generally enters a home through cracks in the foundation. These don’t necessarily come from aging homes or those in poor condition; gaps letting in radon can include construction joints, the spaces around pipes and utility lines, or even sump pumps.

In some cases, water can be a source of radon. This is often the case when there’s a private well on the property, as the groundwater comes in through the faucet and then is released into the air from showering, washing dishes, and other activities involving hot water.

Radon Can Happen Anywhere

As I mentioned earlier, radon gas is undetectable by the human eyes and nose. You wouldn’t have any idea that you have high radon levels in your home without having radon testing done. Unfortunately, the risk of developing lung cancer is too great to ignore the threat of radon.

There are three types of radon testing that can outline your risk:

Short-term testing provides a snapshot of radon levels over a period of a few days, in most cases. This is good for an initial test to see whether you need more comprehensive testing.
Long-term testing can be done if your levels were borderline. This usually lasts a few weeks or months, and it offers a more accurate estimate of radon levels because it can span different seasons.
Continuous radon monitoring can be done if you want regular feedback on the radon levels in the home. If the levels spike during certain weather conditions, such as on a rainy day, this might be something you would want to explore.

Any of these, when looked at by a radon specialist, can help you determine whether you need radon mitigation.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends having a radon test repeated every two years. This is important to ensure the system is still functioning as it’s supposed to. It can also serve as an early detection of mild malfunctions; if your radon levels are slowly going up, this would require some detective work to find out what the problem is.

Even more important, though, is that checking the radon levels in a home, whether or not there is a radon mitigation system in place, is an important safeguard for you and your family. Cumulative effects of radon exposure can lead to serious health effects, including lung cancer. The peace of mind knowing your system is working correctly and keeping your family safe is invaluable.

Radon Testing has Health and Financial Benefits

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/connecticut.pdf

Conclusion

Having radon testing and, if warranted, mitigation, done is a good idea for your health and the health of your family members. When you call, my team can tell you about the best way to handle the testing process. If your levels do come back high, we can walk you through the options available. Your future is important, and we urge you to get in touch with us for your peace of mind and so you know whether you need to address an issue with this radioactive gas.

Radon Testing is Vital to a Healthy Home

Maintain Good Ventilation

If you do have moderate to high radon levels, which are defined as 2 pCi/L to 4 pCi/L or higher, it’s in your best interest to have radon mitigation performed. There are a few different systems that I or a member of my team can explain to you, depending on the specifics of your home. The most common way to solve the problem is to create a vacuum that will prevent radon from entering your home. The system will also work to help vent radon gas that does enter the home.

Aside from protecting you and your family from future health problems, radon mitigation can also offer a financial benefit. If you’re planning to sell your home in the future, having a radon mitigation system can help avoid challenges. Most homebuyers, particularly those in our area, do want a radon test done, and if there’s already a system keeping the radon under control, that can help sell the home more quickly.

Radon Mitigation Maintenance Tips: Ensuring Your System’s Longevity

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:53:24 GMT

As a radon mitigation specialist, I do, of course, spend a lot of my time testing homes for radon and also installing radon-reducing equipment. My commitment doesn’t end there, though; I also want to ensure the longevity and performance of the radon systems installed in my clients’ homes. If you’ve invested in a radon system, it’s important to know how to keep it running in tip-top condition, so it can handle the task of keeping your family safe from the effects of radon.

Here are some of the ways I recommend homeowners maintain their radon mitigation systems:

Have regular inspections
Listen for faulty fan operation
Monitor radon levels periodically
Maintain good ventilation

Since you’ve had your radon issue addressed, it only makes sense to make sure your radon levels continue to stay low. Let’s explore these maintenance measures more closely.

While you shouldn’t be worrying about your radon mitigation system on a regular basis, they’re not exactly “set it and forget it forever.” Your system should have an annual checkup by a professional. Remember, radon gas is odorless and colorless, so you wouldn’t necessarily know if your home’s levels were rising. These systems do come with a warning device that will tell you if there’s a gross malfunction, but it’s still a good idea to have regular inspections done.

Each year or two, you can have a system evaluation that will include taking a close look at the fans, piping, sealing, and other components. Your radon professional will also check for wear and tear; rust and corrosion can affect the efficiency of the system. Also, they can make sure the system is still in compliance with regulations, which do change at times. In some cases, an adjustment or upgrade might be necessary.

Have Regular Inspections

The fan in your radon system is what’s most responsible for making sure your radon levels stay low. If you listen closely, you should hear a low-level humming sound. Get to know what it sounds like when the system is new or after an inspection. That way, if it changes later, you can alert your mitigation team.

You might hear a grinding or rattling sound; these can indicate problems with the fan. If the sound gets louder or quieter than usual, there might be a change in the suction power, which can affect efficiency. Other sounds might be signs of a loose component or imbalance of some sort within the system. Report any strange noises that you hear to your radon specialist.

Monitor Radon Levels Periodically

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/radon/how-do-i-know-if-my-radon-mitigation-system-working-properly

Conclusion

Keeping your radon mitigation system working properly isn’t a cumbersome task. Have regular inspections done, repeat the radon testing every couple of years, keep your ear out for any issues with the fan, and make sure the area surrounding the exhaust pipes remains clear. Talk to my team if you have any other questions about good radon system maintenance.

Listen for Faulty Fan Operation

Maintain Good Ventilation

The way a radon mitigation system works is to move contaminated air out of the home, usually via exhaust outlets. It’s important to keep these outlets clear from debris and blockages; if the pipes become clogged, there’s nowhere for the gas to go other than back into your home. Know where your exhaust pipes are, and keep them free from weeds, dirt, and other debris.

Also, don’t stack items around an indoor radon system. Keep the immediate vicinity free, and discourage pets and children from going near it to prevent any issues. Consider it a working appliance in your home that needs some clearance between it and anything else you want to store in the area.

DIY vs Professional Radon Testing: Differences, Pros, and Limitations

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:43:56 GMT

Radon: It’s a gas that has no odor or color, but it can cause serious health issues if it’s in your home, including lung cancer. Many homes in Connecticut and across the United States have radon, and the main problem is that it’s not something you’d know unless you tested for it. Radon testing can be done by a professional or with a kit you purchase yourself from a home improvement store. Which is better?

Let’s discuss the different considerations to keep in mind regarding whether DIY or professional radon testing is better:

Cost of radon testing
Accuracy and reliability
Convenience
Treatments for radon

If you’re ready to learn about what type of radon testing is best for you, keep reading.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to run a radon test, then DIY might be the way to go. You can buy a kit from a home improvement store for between $10 and $100. These range from one-time test kits to monitors that remain on the wall to show you the level of radon in a particular room.

Hiring a professional will cost more than that. They have different types of testing options to choose from, though.

Cost of Radon Testing

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency . If you’re going to test for radon, it’s imperative that the test results be accurate and reliable. It wouldn’t make sense to test for a potentially deadly gas and not use an accurate test.

The tests you can buy to use on your own are accurate–but only if they’re used properly. While a professional radon testing company will know exactly what to do to ensure an accurate test, a typical homeowner might not.

The best way to be sure you’re getting an accurate reading is to hire an expert.

The second-best way is to follow the instructions precisely. You’ll need to choose the right location in your home, which will usually be at waist height on the lowest level of the home. You’ll need to keep all windows closed for at least a day before your test as well as during the entirety of the testing period. You also have to avoid using fans that bring in air from outside.

There are some weather conditions that could affect your radon test, such as high humidity and high winds. These are factors that a radon company will know how to account for.

As with any type of in-home testing or service, doing it yourself can be more convenient in the sense that you don’t have to have someone come into your home or worry about scheduling an appointment.

On the other hand, having someone else take care of hanging the radon test, collecting it when it’s done, and interpreting the results can take less time and be less stressful than trying to do it all on your own.

Thus, deciding whether DIY or professional radon testing is more convenient is really a matter of mindset and preference. Some people find it easier to simply handle it themselves, while others would rather leave it to an expert to deal with.

Convenience

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon

Conclusion

When deciding whether to use a DIY radon test or have professional radon testing performed, it’s important to consider all of the factors involved. If you have further questions, it’s best to consult with a qualified professional radon mitigation company.

Accuracy and Reliability

Treatments for Radon

Finally, it’s important to consider what you’d do if your radon results were to come back high. You can’t treat radon on your own; you will need to hire a professional radon mitigation company to install the right equipment to safely and effectively remove the radon gas from your home.

If you perform your own radon test, it’s possible that the radon mitigation will need to be performed by professionals if the results come back high. If the results are borderline, for example, they may want to know whether a more accurate test will show a higher or lower value.

If you hired a professional to perform the test in the first place, they’ll get the results and will know exactly what to do in order to bring the levels down to an acceptable level in your home. The type of removal equipment you need will depend on the type of home you have and other factors.

Home Safety: Why Radon Testing is a Must When Buying a New Home

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:34:08 GMT

If you’re house-hunting, you might be primarily looking at how the houses look, how they function, how they line up with your must-have list, and how they make you feel. While all of these are important, it’s also vital to know the house is safe for you and your family members. Radon testing is something you should consider having done during the inspection period.

Here are the topics you should know about when it comes to radon:

Understanding what radon is
Realizing why radon testing is important
Getting to know the testing process

Let’s delve into the world of radon testing, so you can be prepared to protect yourself.

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so the only way you’d know that radon exists in your new home is if you were to hire a professional to perform radon testing. It comes from the breakdown of uranium; this usually occurs in soil and rock, and it can also occur in water. It then seeps up into the home.

Long-term exposure to radon gas can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon exposure is second only to smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer. The CDC reports that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon causes 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year in the USA. If you don’t smoke but are exposed to radon, you have a 10 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than other non-smokers who have not been exposed to radon.

Understanding What Radon Is

While there are other times to test for radon, such as when you’re going to be doing major renovation or when you’re turning a basement into living space, it’s vital to do so when you’re under contract for a house. This is the case whether you’re buying a brand-new house straight from the builder or a pre-existing house that people have lived in for years, decades, or even centuries.

The main reason you’d want radon testing in a new (or new-to-you) home is to protect your health. Since elevated radon levels can cause lung problems, including cancer, you’ll want to know the home is safe before the closing date.

If the radon test shows elevated levels, you’ll want that information, as it gives you negotiating power. If you were to wait until after you’ve already signed on the dotted line, you can’t go back and re-negotiate the sale. If you discover high radon, you might ask the seller to perform radon mitigation at their expense or to drop the price enough to allow you to use those funds to have the mitigation done yourself before moving in or shortly thereafter.

Finally, testing for radon gives you peace of mind as you move in with your family. It’s one less thing to worry about if you know the house isn’t a source of radon or that the problem has been addressed.

Radon testing is simple and mostly unobtrusive. It’s best to have it professionally done, as the potential for user error is fairly high. When testing before a sale, you’ll be having short-term testing done.

This is when an indicator is hung somewhere in the home that isn’t near a masonry wall or in a room with a door to the outside. It’s important for the windows to stay closed in that room to allow the test to work properly. After the specified number of days have passed, the indicator is examined to look for the level of radon in the air.

If the radon levels in the home are above 4 pCi/L, mitigation is needed. If it’s between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, you should consider having mitigation done. Ideally, the levels in a home should be under 2 pCi/L for the smallest risk. Learn more in the Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction .

Getting to Know the Testing Process

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf

Conclusion

While radon is a risk, it’s nothing to panic over. Even if the house you’re planning to buy has high radon levels, mitigation is safe and effective. As long as you have radon testing done before you close on your mortgage, you’ll be well on your way to having a safe, radon-free home that won’t raise your risk or your family’s risk of developing lung cancer.

Realizing Why Radon Testing Is Important

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With Radon Testing and More

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:23:21 GMT

Radon can linger undetected in the air as it lacks an odor or color. However, prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer, so radon testing should be at the top of your to-do list to ensure clearer air quality in your home. What else can you do to improve the air quality?

These tactics will make the air you breathe at home healthier:

Change air filters
Lessen humidity
Add air cleaners
Reduce household air contaminants
Grow some plants

Keep reading for more actionable tips for your household!

One of the most proactive steps a household can take for cleaner air inside and out of the home is to contact a radon mitigation service. You can request radon experts to come to your home and test the air quality.

Radon emerges when uranium decays, so it often starts in the soil. It can also exist in a home’s water supply, especially if that supply is groundwater. If a household uses the groundwater to cook, shower, or wash their hands, they can inadvertently breathe in the radon-infused air.

A radon test will gauge how much radon exists in the soil and water supply. If you’re displeased with how much radon your property has, you can request radon mitigation.

Here is an overview of the methods the radon mitigation specialists might use.

Active soil slab depressurization: The team will place a pipe into the home’s slab that guides radon toward the roof. A fan will simultaneously pull radon from the soil, keeping the water supply healthier.
Crawl space sub-membrane depressurization: By installing a fan, the radon mitigation specialists can reduce crawl space air pressure so it’s level with the rest of the home. The fan and its connected PVC pipe send radon up and out of the home.
Active soil exterior installation depressurization: This form of depressurization involves installing a fan and vent on the home’s exterior. Radon will travel through pipes affixed to the system and exit the roof.
Active soil interior installation depressurization: A common means of mitigating radon, interior depressurization uses a pipe that travels from the garage or basement to the closets, then the attic. The radon exits through the attic vents toward the roof.

1. Get Professional Radon Testing

The air filters throughout your home, including your air conditioner filter, get dirtier the longer they’re installed. Once they’re coated in grime, they can no longer catch contaminants.

More contaminants travel unfettered throughout the home, degrading the air you breathe.

As an insult to injury, filthy air filters can also affect how well your air conditioner runs, impacting its performance over time.

Get into the habit of checking kitchen, clothes dryer, air conditioner, and vacuum cleaner filters at least once a month and replacing them as often as required.

Dampness in homes usually originates from uncontrolled humidity. Your home should have vents for hot air to exit or a window, at the very least. This increased ventilation is especially important in the kitchen and bathroom, where humidity is most abundant.

Failing to reduce humidity can lead to a litany of impactful side effects. Mold can develop across your home. The wet environment can destroy wallpaper, paint, furniture, and electronics. You could develop throat and skin irritation.

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs can easily enter humid environments, further tarnishing the already poor air quality.

Adding ventilation, if your home lacks it, will help the air quality. You can also use dehumidifiers throughout the house.

3. Lessen the Humidity in Your Home

Sources

Conclusion

Every household has a right to healthier air, but very often, the contaminants we can’t see or taste can cause the most harm. Radon testing and mitigation can identify air quality issues in your home and remediate them.

From there, you can employ measures, like air cleaners, air filter cleaning, and maybe even adding a plant or two, to keep your air clean.

2. Change Air Filters

Another simple tactic for better indoor air quality is using air cleaners. According to the EPA , air cleaners have a filtering element with an efficacy level in cubic feet per minute that denotes the amount of air pulled through the cleaner.

The air cleaner will also have an overall efficiency percentage. One number can’t be much higher than the other, or it will render the air cleaner ineffective overall.

However, the EPA states that air cleaners will not remove radon, so contact a radon mitigation specialist for that.

4. Add Air Cleaners

5. Reduce Household Air Contaminants

Sometimes you can reduce the air quality in your home without realizing it. For example, furniture made of composite wood usually contains more formaldehyde in its glue than solid wood pieces.

Everyday cleaners, like bleach and glass products, can have deleterious effects that remain in the air long after you’re done cleaning. Buying nontoxic products or using natural cleaners will spare the air for your whole family.

6. Grow Some Plants

In the late 1980s, NASA published a report on plants that clean the air. According to them, the most recommended are the snake plant, money plant, Chinese evergreen, spider plant, weeping fig, aloe vera, and rubber plant.

While you shouldn’t rely on houseplants alone for a healthier home, they can contribute a small deal in removing formaldehyde and other air contaminants.

Top 5 Radon Mitigation Myths Debunked

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:12:26 GMT

Radon mitigation has undergone some scrutiny in recent years, due to some misconceptions surrounding it. What is radon exactly? Is it actually something to worry about? Do all homes have to be tested? There are some conflicting opinions on this, so we have debunked the top 5 radon mitigation myths, so you can make an informed decision about what would be best for you, your family, and your home.

Here are some common myths surrounding radon.

Radon is not something to worry about
Testing for radon is time-consuming and expensive
Radon only affects certain types of homes
You have to test your water for radon
Radon is only a concern if you live in certain states

Many people are not sure what exactly radon is, so there are many misconceptions about its relative toxicity and danger to homeowners. The Environmental Protection Agency defines radon as a radioactive gas that naturally occurs during the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, or water. It seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings in the home.

Radon is in fact quite harmful to human health, and many agencies have advised on the importance of having your home checked for radon. It is a radioactive gas that is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon Is Not Something to Worry About

Some people believe that testing for radon is a time-consuming and expensive process, when really it isn’t. It is a straight-forward process, and you can either choose to do it yourself using a short-term testing kit, or hire a company to conduct a long-term test that tends to be more accurate.

When you hire a company to manage your radon testing for you, they will come in, install the testing equipment, and leave until it is time to collect it from you. While hiring a professional is going to be more expensive than a DIY approach, you’ll be able to rest assured the results are correct. That peace of mind is often worth the cost.

Due to the fact that radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in the surrounding earth, the actual type of home does not matter. Radon can affect any type of home; rather, it depends on the ground that the home is built upon.

Depending on the geology of that particular area, as well as the construction materials being used and the way the home is being built, there will be varying amounts of radon present. It does not matter whether the home is old or new, a two-story home or a bungalow, with or without a basement.

Radon Only Affects Certain Types of Homes

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf

Conclusion

Radon is a serious danger for homeowners, and it is something that several agencies like the EPA have expressed concern over. It is imperative that homeowners get their homes checked for radon levels to keep everyone in the household safe.

Radon Testing Is Time-Consuming and Expensive

While this myth isn’t completely incorrect, it isn’t entirely accurate either. Testing your water for radon is important; however conducting a test on the water should only be completed after testing the air first.

Most homes are connected to a public water supply, which would be monitoring for levels of radon already. However, if you conduct an air test and discover levels of radon are present, then it would be useful for you to test your water, especially if your water comes from a private well.

You Have to Test Your Water for Radon, Too

Radon Is Only a Concern If You Live in Certain States

Some claim that radon is only a concern for people who live in certain states, however this is completely untrue and an unsafe perspective. Radon can be found anywhere, and it is more the geological makeup of a given area that will determine whether radon levels are present or not.

In fact, high radon levels have been found in every state across the country, so it is important to test your specific home for any radon contamination. Radon levels are dependent upon soil composition, atmospheric conditions, and construction processes. So, the only way to know for sure if your home is free of radon is to have your home tested for it.

When to Have Radon Testing Done in Your Home

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:52:59 GMT

Do you know enough about radon? You may be aware that it’s an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can contribute to developing lung cancer if it’s found in your home – if so, that’s a good start! Did you also know that you need to have radon testing done in your home to be sure it doesn’t have unsafe radon levels?

Here are the times it's most important to have your home tested for radon:

When You Buy a Home
When You Sell a Home
Periodically Following the First Test
Any Time of Year

Let's look more closely at the timing when it comes to radon testing.

One of the easiest decisions to make should be testing a home that you’re planning to buy. This is a time when you want to check out as many things as possible about the home – you don’t want to get stuck with a house that has major problems you could have avoided.

Where you might hesitate is when the seller provides you with test results before you can ask for a test. You still may want to ask for a new test under some circumstances. The EPA provides a radon testing checklist that you can obtain, and if any part of that checklist wasn’t followed, you should have a new test done.

You should also test again if the test is more than two years old or if the current owner has renovated or made alterations to the home since the test was performed. One more reason to ask for a new test is if you plan to live on a lower level of the house (for example, a finished basement) that isn’t being lived in currently.

When You Buy a Home

Getting a radon test before you sell a home might not sound as attractive as getting one done before you buy a house – and of course, the person who buys your home is well within their rights to want a current test.

In the long run, a radon test can only help you sell the home. If the test shows safe levels of radon, you won’t have to worry about it and neither will your buyer. If the test shows unsafe levels of radon, then you may have to have radon mitigation done before you can sell it, but having the mitigation done won’t dissuade buyers – they’ll be relieved the problem is taken care of already.

Maybe you’re neither buying nor selling a home, just living in it. How often do you need to test for radon? If you haven’t tested in years or don’t know when the last test was, now is a good time. There are two types of radon tests available – one that tests over the course of about 24 hours, and one that tests over several months. The longer test will be the one that provides you with more detailed and accurate results.

If the test shows unsafe levels of radon, you need professional radon mitigation services. DIY radon mitigation is not effective. A radon mitigation service can help with ongoing testing requirements. If your home tests as having safe levels of radon, it’s a good idea to continue to test every 2 years to ensure it's still safe.

Periodically Following the First Test

Sources

https://evictradon.org/winter-vs-summer/

Conclusion

Plan on testing for radon before buying or selling a home. You should also do so if you know the house hasn’t been tested in years or don’t know when it was last tested. Following a test that shows acceptable radon levels, continue to test every few years. While many people have been told that winter is the best time of year to test, seasonality is becoming less important and testing can be done at any time of year.

When You Sell a Home

Traditionally, radon testing was most accurate in the winter, because that was the time of year when homes were least ventilated due to people staying inside out of the cold. In many cases, it’s still recommended that people do their testing in the wintertime, and if you often leave doors and windows open during warmer weather, that may be true for you.

However, a study shared by Evict Radon demonstrates that radon levels are becoming more even across seasons. This may be because the increased use of air conditioning means that houses are no longer as ventilated in any season, allowing radon levels to build up in the house year-round. Therefore, it’s not necessarily important to test in a particular season any longer.

Any Time of Year

Radon Mitigation: Frequently Asked Questions

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:38:34 GMT

Radon is something that people often don’t know very much about, but it can have a big impact on your health and the health of your family. It’s also a problem that is solvable – there are radon mitigation strategies that can help protect your home. Understand the facts about radon so you can make good decisions about testing and mitigation for your family.

How Long Does It Take for Radon to Make You Sick?
Does a Dehumidifier Remove Radon?
Can Radon Get to My Second or Third Floor?
Can Radon Harm Pets?
What Does Radon Smell Like?

Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions that people have about radon and radon mitigation.

The insidious thing about radon is that it doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. It’s built-up exposure to radon over a long period that can make you sick. The more radon you’re exposed to, the higher your risk is.

The main illness that’s associated with radon is lung cancer – it’s actually the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, according to the CDC. However, you don’t develop lung cancer overnight. Instead, you could develop it five years later, or 20 years later, or not at all – there’s no way to predict exactly when or if it will happen, which is why it’s important not to take chances.

How Long Does It Take for Radon to Make You Sick?

Some people are under the mistaken impression that a dehumidifier can remove radon from their homes. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If your home has a dangerous radon level, you need a radon mitigation system to protect yourself and your family from radon exposure.

A dehumidifier affects the humidity levels in your house. It may have a small effect in reducing radon, but it’s not enough to make a real difference – if you have dangerous levels of radon in your home, they’ll still be dangerous with a dehumidifier in place. A dehumidifier takes in air from your home, removes moisture, and then returns the air to your home. The radon is returned to your home with the air.

Because radon comes from the ground, it’s understandable that people sometimes believe only their lowest floor will be affected by radon exposure, but this isn’t the case. Radon can be detected on the second and third floors, too. There are even cases of finding higher radon levels on the third floor, which may have to do with third-floor showers being used. Radon can be released from the water.

Radon has also been found above the third floor in higher-rise buildings due to elevators or other air shafts that allow radon to travel upward. You should have your upper floors tested as well as the lower floors instead of assuming the upper floors are safe.

Can Radon Get to My Second or Third Floor?

Conclusion

Radon gas is undetectable without testing, but it can cause serious problems. It won’t make you sick immediately, but you could become seriously ill in time if you don’t limit your exposure. Radon can also harm your pets. You can’t fix the problem with a dehumidifier, and you’re not necessarily safe on the higher floors of your home. Radon testing and radon mitigation strategies are the best ways to ensure the health and safety of yourself, your family, and your pets.

Does a Dehumidifier Remove Radon?

Radon is dangerous to pets as well as humans - in some cases, even more dangerous. That’s because your pets don’t leave to go to work or school for eight hours a day. They spend more time in the home and therefore accumulate more exposure over the same period. Your pets also have smaller lungs that feel more of the effects, and they like to spend time on ground floors where the highest radon levels typically appear.

In dogs, some of the symptoms of radon poisoning are fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, and lack of appetite. Cats also experience difficulty breathing, lack of appetite, and coughing as well as weight loss, coughing up blood, and lack of energy. If you have pets, that’s another reason why you should have your home tested and decide on mitigation if your home is exposed.

Can Radon Harm Pets?

What Does Radon Smell Like?

Radon gas has no smell. It’s also colorless. You can’t taste it, either. There’s no way that you can detect radon with your senses. The only way to know if your home is exposed to radon is to test for it.

A professional radon mitigation service can test your home for radon and give you options for mitigation strategies that will work for your situation. That way, you’ll not only get the answers you need, but you’ll also have a plan of action. It’s no fun to feel helpless about a substance that you can’t detect but that may be causing health problems, so it’s good to have a way to take action.

The Dangers of Radon Gas: Do You Need Radon Mitigation This Winter?

Wed, 13 May 2026 18:06:25 GMT

Radon gas can feel like a complicated thing to avoid. It can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, so how can you avoid it? However, it’s important to learn how to avoid it, because it can come into your home and it causes health problems. On top of that, as the year winds down and the temperature gets colder, you also have to be concerned about the radon levels getting worse in the winter. To protect yourself, it’s important to find out if you need radon mitigation this season.

What Health Effects Does Radon Have?
Why is Radon Worse in the Winter?
How Can Mitigation Help You Protect Yourself?

Understanding the facts about radon and radon mitigation can help you take steps to protect the people in your home from the negative effects of radon gas.

Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. According to the EPA, thousands of lung cancer deaths every year are attributed to radon. You should take into account that many more people may develop lung cancer and survive, so the risks of too much radon exposure are very serious.

This doesn’t mean that everyone who comes into contact with radon will develop lung cancer. Your level of exposure is a big factor in determining whether or not radon exposure will harm you. If the radon levels are very high or if you spend a lot of time in a home that has radon – for example, remote workers who don’t leave to go to work or school for a large chunk of the day – then your risk factors are higher. Smoking is another big risk factor. Remember, smoking is already a major contributor to cases of lung cancer – in fact, it’s the leading cause of the disease. When you combine smoking and radon, your risk becomes that much higher.

Everyone should be aware of their radon levels and whether or not their home is safe, but people whose homes are particularly high in radon, people who spend most of their time in their homes, and smokers need to be especially vigilant.

What Health Effects Does Radon Have?

You might think the possibility of being exposed to a cancer-causing gas is bad enough in any season. That’s true, but radon exposure levels are more likely to be high in the winter than in other seasons. There are a few reasons why this is the case.

One reason is that people simply stay inside more. It’s cold out. So instead of taking a walk, you stay in. You close the windows. You don’t leave the doors open. If your home has radon in it already, ordinary winter behavior is basically giving you an extra dose of the gas.

There’s more to it than that, though. When it gets cold, the ground gets hard, making it difficult for radon gas to escape the soil where it’s trapped. When it snows, the snow acts as a blanket over the soil, further trapping the radon gas. The easiest way for radon to leave hard, frozen soil covered by snow is to go through the warmer homes nearby.

Finally, there’s a difference in air pressure between the higher and lower levels of the house. Higher up, the air is trying to escape outdoors, so the pressure is higher. Lower levels of the house are the areas where air flows inward. This pressure difference always exists, but in cold temperatures, it’s more pronounced. That means more air will be pulled in from lower levels to equalize the pressure – and air being pulled in from the soil may contain radon.

Due to a combination of these factors, the winter months result in higher radon exposures.

Radon isn’t a problem for every home, and two homes that are right next to each other can have very different levels of radon for a variety of reasons. The only way to know for sure if there’s an unsafe amount of radon in your home is to test for it. A radon mitigation company can handle that for you. Testing during the winter is a good idea because it gives you a reading that reflects the height of the radon exposure during the year.

If the test reveals that you’re living with unsafe levels of radon, don’t panic. Radon in the home is a problem that can be fixed. Both passive and active radon mitigation systems are available. A radon mitigation professional can advise you about the pros and cons of each and help you decide which one is right for you.

How Can Radon Mitigation Help You Protect Yourself?

Conclusion

Radon is a real issue that many people need to be concerned with. The winter months are an important time to think about radon testing and mitigation because the problem is worse in the winter. If you do have radon in the home, there are mitigation options that will help you lower your levels and keep your family safe.

Why is Radon Worse in the Winter?

What Type of Equipment is Used to Build a Radon Mitigation System?

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:59:31 GMT

Radon mitigation is a crucial service that commercial buildings and homeowners alike sometimes require. As the mitigation specialists arrive, you might wonder, what kind of equipment do they use?

A radon mitigation system is built with the following equipment:
RadonAway fan
Schedule 40 PVC pipe
Schedule 40 PVC pipe fittings
Manometer gauge

If you want to learn more about these fascinating pieces of equipment, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for detailed explanations on each component of a radon mitigation system as well as what might be included in a radon mitigation warranty.

First, let’s delve into what comprises a radon mitigation system. As a caveat, the composition of some systems will vary and can include even more or sometimes less of the above equipment.

That said, the following four components are standard in most radon mitigation systems.

The 4 Components of a Radon Mitigation System

RadonAway is a commercial manufacturer of radon fans. Unlike a standard oscillating fan that a homeowner might use to keep cool on a hot summer day, a radon fan is designed for one purpose: mitigation of radon in the air.

The RadonAway brand was founded in 1990 and manufactures its fans and other equipment in the United States. The fans are available in different sizes and require varying amounts of wattage. Most of RadonAway’s fans are protected by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

How does a radon fan like RadonAway work? The fan uses negative pressure that limits how far radon can rise throughout the home. A radon fan must be used in conjunction with piping, which you’ll learn more about momentarily.

The second part of a radon mitigation system is known as the radon pipe. The radon pipe connects to the fan & creates suction to pull out the toxic gas. It also receives radon that’s transported via the radon fan. The radon pipe is what creates the negative pressure that the radon fan needs, so the two components truly are dependent on one another.

Most radon piping is polyvinyl chloride or PVC, specifically Schedule 40. PVC pipe is classified by schedule, which refers to how thick the walls are. Considering that PVC is available at up to Schedule 80, then Schedule 40 piping is not too thick.

The durability of Schedule 40 radon piping is much better than Schedule 20 PVC pipe. Your specialists will be able to explain why, but the main benefit is that the piping won't be at risk of breaking or cracking.

Mitigating radon can sometimes lead to the creation of condensation. The positioning of the pipe should be such that it’s angled to drain water outside of your home & into the soil. Failing to angle the pipe this way leads to a noisier experience, not to mention airflow throughout the system could be impacted.

Schedule 40 PVC Pipe

Sources

https://www.radonaway.com/products/radon-fans

Conclusion

A radon mitigation system includes a radon fan, Schedule 40 pipes, pipe fittings, and a manometer gauge. Altogether, these parts allow radon mitigation specialists to measure and reduce radon levels in homes that need it the most!

RadonAway Fan

Schedule 40 PVC Pipe Fittings

Pipe connectors or pipe fittings are a small but crucial part of a radon mitigation system. These too will be Schedule 40 and made of PVC plastic to fit the pipes.

Pipe fittings serve two purposes. They can alter a plumbing system’s flow direction or extend the length of a run. Radon mitigation specialists will use pipe fittings for both reasons.

Manometer Gauge

The last tool in a radon mitigation specialist’s arsenal is the manometer gauge. A manometer determines pressure. Most manometers feature a glass tube that’s shaped like a U. Liquid in the tube, often mercury, is dense and only travels to indicate higher pressure.

Radon mitigation specialists will use a manometer gauge to determine whether the fans and pipes are working as intended and radon levels are being controlled on your property.

What's Included in a Radon Mitigation System Warranty?

As promised, let’s examine a sample radon mitigation system warranty to better understand what might be included in one. As a caveat, this warranty is for example purposes only.

The warranty will usually state that a radon mitigation system will reduce levels of radon in the home or on the commercial property to a certain level, such as 4.0 Pico Curies per liter or pCi/l. The frequency of testing will be mentioned as well.

The duration of the warranty is included as well, like three-year or five-year coverage. The radon mitigation equipment covered under the warranty will be listed (fan, pipe, gauge) as well as how long those parts are protected under a parts and labor warranty.

The terms of warranty exclusion should be stated, such as if the home is abused or the condition worsens due to negligence.

5 Tips for Selecting The Best Radon Mitigation Company

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:45:51 GMT

Radon mitigation is a process that keeps the amount of radon in a property at a safe level. This is essential for any home, as radon is a highly toxic chemical that can cause sickness if you're exposed to it for prolonged periods. Given how complex radon mitigation can be, it’s important to find a company that can carry out the job to keep your household safe.

Although there are many companies that provide mitigation services, choosing the right one requires a thorough discernment of qualifications. That’s why when you’re looking for the best radon mitigation company, you should make sure to do the following:

Verify their license and certification
Ask about their experience
Secure their guarantees and warranties
Check out their reputation and references
Compare their prices to other companies

Following the above tips will help you gain a more thorough understanding of choosing the most qualified radon mitigation company.

One of the first things you must check is whether the company is licensed and certified to practice. These are very basic requirements, and if they don’t have them or are refusing to show them to you, then you should stay away from the company entirely.

As stated, dealing with radon is very complex, and any misstep can be detrimental to your health and safety. Having a license and certification proves the company has undergone the proper training to deal with radon and they are legally allowed to receive compensation for it.

Licenses may differ depending on the state you’re in—just make sure to check local regulations to ensure the company has the correct license to operate. When it comes to certification, on the other hand, try to choose a company that has national certification, such as the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) certification. As stated by the Center for Environmental Research and Technology, Inc, a certification proves excellence and competence in the field—and the NRPP is one of the best available in the industry.

Verify The Radon Mitigation Company's License and Certification

When working with any company, you will want to work with someone who has proven their capability of doing the job properly—and finding out about one’s experience will ensure that.

The easiest and quickest way to check this is to ask how long they have been operating. Although the length of time a business has been operating is not a measure of how good a job it can do, it does mean that the company does well enough to stay open. Aside from that, companies that have been open for a long time will most certainly have handled more projects than those that have just newly started—which means they have more practical knowledge.

Beyond that, a more established company that has been operating for longer is likely to have better equipment than smaller contractors. This means more efficiency and better accuracy, as they are likely to know how to use their equipment well in their long tenure.

True radon mitigation professionals provide a written guarantee and equipment warranty if you avail of their services.

A guarantee is provided when it is found that you have elevated levels (above 4.0 piC/L ). The company will “guarantee” that their service and equipment will reduce it to a safer level and that by the time they are done, your radon levels are lower than 4.0. A warranty, on the other hand, means the equipment they provide should work perfectly for a certain period—and if any part malfunctions, they will replace it free of charge.

Having these prove two major points: they will do what it takes to lower your radon levels and they are committed to providing you with equipment that's sure to work. If a company doesn’t provide these, it could mean they aren’t sure they can handle the job or they provide cheap equipment. In either case, avoid a company that can’t provide either.

Secure Their Guarantees and Warranties

Conclusion

Finding the best radon mitigation company to work with can be a challenge, but if you know what to look for, then you'll end up with a team that's worth your time and money. Remember to consider the company's experience level, certifications, and customer reviews.

Ask About Their Experience

Check Out Their Reputation and References

A company that provides excellent service will be lauded by its customers, and it won’t be afraid to showcase the feedback of previous clients on its website. Meanwhile, a company that constantly does poorly will have negative feedback and will do its best to hide the problems.

A quick Google search will reveal much about a company. Check the reviews that previous customers have left, and watch out for any red flags. A company with excessively bad reviews is one to avoid—it could mean that their service is sorely lacking and that they haven’t been doing a good job. A company with a few bad reviews isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, though. If the company you're considering has a mix of good and bad reviews, read how they manage the complaints and strive to be better.

Compare Their Prices to Other Companies

When it comes to paid services, one of the biggest concerns for any consumer is the price.

It might seem best to go with a company that provides affordable services, but if they are too affordable that could indicate a problem. If a company’s fees are too low, they might be cutting corners or skimping out on the materials they use, which means a poor service ethic in either case.

Find a company that is reasonably priced. More expensive does not necessarily mean better—but if the elevated price means better materials and more dedicated service, then it might be worth looking into.

How is Radon Removed From a Well?

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:34:28 GMT

Radon is found in the ground. It is harmful if breathed in or ingested. However, because of its odorless and colorless nature, you don't know when you're exposed to it. While most people think of radon in the air, it can also leech into your drinking water if you get it from a private well.

If found in a well, there will definitely need to be a radon mitigation system installed. To better understand the removal methods used, first familiarize yourself with:

Why does it matter if there is radon in drinking water?
How does radon get in drinking water?
How do you determine if radon is in water?
What are the methods of radon removal?

It's time to take action and learn more about how to remove radon from your well!

Living on well water is something many people do without considering the overall risks. While drinking radon will not make you glow like a being from outer space, there are still significant health risks you must consider.

Research provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer after smoking. When you turn on the faucet to bring water into the house, radon gas gets into the air. You then inhale the clear, odorless gas leading to potential problems over time.

While radon causes approximately 89% of all lung cancer cases, it is far from the only cancerous form. This same research indicates that drinking water contaminated by radon is responsible for about 11% of stomach cancer cases.

Why Does it Matter if There is Radon in Drinking Water?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the soil . While you can find it in all areas, some spots are prone to higher concentrations of it . As uranium in the ground, rocks, and even groundwater begin to decay, it produces radon. Areas with granite, granitic sand, and gravel formations are more prone to seeing higher radon levels.

Radon gas dissolves into the water. When you turn on the inside faucet to shower or clean, radon particles become disturbed and released into the air. Radon is less likely to come from sources at or above ground level as it can release into the air before it gets pumped through your home. However, if you are using groundwater from a well, there is a chance it could be contaminated.

Most city water and sewage systems test for radon and take appropriate actions to reduce levels before it gets to your home. However, if you use a private well, you need to contact your state certification officer. They will give you a list of labs in your area that will test your water.

A professional will take samples and have them analyzed. You will then receive a report with the overall levels indicated. However, there is no "federally-enforced" standard for drinking water. The EPA does regulate city and community suppliers but not private wells.

City suppliers must keep water radon levels below 4,000 pCi/L, and private well owners should follow the same standard. If the number in your report is higher than 4,000 pCi/L, you should contact a radon removal specialist.

How Do You Determine if Radon is in Water?

Sources

Conclusion

You should not take radon levels in well water lightly. It is the leading cause of lung cancer, and it can also cause stomach cancer. By understanding how radon gets into drinking water and how to remove it, you'll reduce the risks your family faces from this deadly gas.

How Does Radon Get in Drinking Water?

What Are The Removal Methods?

According to MassRealestateNews.com , there are two main methods for removing radon from drinking water, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) or Aeration Treatment. A professional treatment company will help you determine the best method for your particular well.

GAC Treatment

A professional installs the Granulated Active Carbon (GAC) treatment system at the point where the well water enters your house. Suppose you have multiple water treatment systems, such as a water softener. In that case, he or she will install the GAC system in line after the softener treatment.

As water passes through the carbon filter, it traps the radon gas. Eventually, you will need to replace the filter with a fresh one. The GAC system also filters more than just radon. It helps to filter out other contaminants to keep your family healthy. Again, be vigilant about changing the filters.

Cost-wise, the GAC system will be your best option. However, you do have to pay for new carbon filters which can get expensive if you frequently replace them.

Aeration Treatment

Of the two treatment systems, removal professionals consider the aeration system to be the best. Like the GAC system, you install it next to where the well water goes into your house. However, it does not have to go in before any other water treatment system.

The aeration system is a large plastic tank that's filled with well water. A hose injects air into the water, releasing radon atoms. Then, a venting system pulls the contaminated air out and expels it out of the house, "generally through a pipe leading up to the roof."

Can a Radon Mitigation System Increase or Decrease a Home's Value?

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:26:30 GMT

Considering testing for radon in your home but concerned about what you’ll find? If you’re wondering how much a radon mitigation system will hurt your home value, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Instead of hurting your home’s value, there are several reasons why a radon mitigation system may actually be a good thing for your property:

Radon mitigation systems are highly effective.
You enjoy the security of knowing the risk was addressed.
It’s one less step in the home inspection process.
Radon gas doesn’t mean the rest of your home is dangerous.
A mitigation system tells others that your home was well kept.

From peace of mind to system effectiveness, there are a lot of reasons why radon mitigation systems are desirable. Keep reading to learn more about why a system may actually help boost your home’s value.

The presence of radon doesn’t necessarily compromise the safety of your home. Allowing it to go unaddressed does. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that some mitigation systems are 99 percent effective at removing this gas, so there’s no reason to avoid testing. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners across the country have successfully reduced the radon levels in their homes.

Many effective methods for reducing radon levels exist, so you can have the confidence of knowing you’re getting the best system for your property:

Active Soil Depressurization (Interior)
Active Soil Depressurization (Exterior)
Active Soil Depressurization (Slab)
Crawlspace Sub-Membrane Depressurization

Unsure where to start when considering radon mitigation? Check out What Should Homeowners Look for in a Radon Mitigation System .

Radon Mitigation Systems Are Highly Effective

What’s worse than knowing you have the presence of radon gas in your home? Not knowing! If you’re aware of the presence of radon gas and you took the initiative to install a radon mitigation system, you’re protected. You don’t have to wonder whether there’s a silent, odorless, dangerous gas slowly harming your family.

However, for individuals looking at a home without a mitigation system, they may be left wondering whether it’s safe. Without a test, there is literally no way of knowing whether a home has elevated levels. Even if every other home on the block is radon-free, your home may still have elevated levels that put your family in danger.

For anyone interested in purchasing a home, there are tons of hoops to jump through. From securing financing to moving in, the entire process is a headache. Adding a radon inspection and possible mitigation system installation into the mix adds another layer of difficulty to the process that could hurt a home’s marketability.

A radon mitigation system helps confirm that a house is truly move-in ready. Furthermore, Consumer Reports explains that "relying on just one radon test as part of the home inspection is a mistake." That’s because these short-term radon tests aren’t accurate enough to truly gauge the risk or even provide an accurate count. Radon levels change daily. If a home is up for bid in a hot market, buyers can’t wait for the results of a long-term test to come in, which typically takes 3 months or longer, depending.

However, potential buyers interested in a home that already has a radon mitigation system installed can skip all those steps. As long as the mitigation system is in good operating order, radon gas won’t be an issue in that home.

It’s One Less Step for Home Buyers

Sources

Conclusion

If you have discovered the presence of radon gas in your home, don’t panic. Yes, about 20,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to this gas each year, but a professional company can quickly pin down the source and come up with a remediation plan. In fact, the repairs for most homes are about the same cost as other common household repairs, so you’re likely not looking at a huge expense.

While radon gas exposure is serious, it’s not a death knell for your property value. When properly addressed with the appropriate mitigation system, it can actually reassure potential buyers that your home is safe, well maintained, and move-in ready.

Additional Security

Radon Hot Spots

Radon gas can literally be found anywhere in the country. Furthermore, two houses right next to each other can have widely varying amounts. The presence of radon gas in your home doesn’t reflect poorly on your location, construction quality, or home condition. It’s simply a fact that some homes have problem levels of this radioactive gas while others do not.

Radon is a naturally occurring material found in the soil throughout the country. Although some areas are more prone to it, you can find it anywhere there’s uranium breaking down in the soil , rock, or water around your home. In fact, the CDC notes that about 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated levels of radon.

Signs of Proper Upkeep

If you took the time and effort to test for radon and have a mitigation system installed, potential buyers will know that your home was well maintained. This invisible gas is easy to ignore, so taking the time to address it probably means that you cared for other more obvious areas of your home that can suffer from neglect. This includes your roof, HVAC system, appliances, and other major home components and systems.

If there’s one thing that can cause hiccups during the inspection process, it’s a poorly maintained home that has issues. A radon mitigation system sends the signal that the rest of your home will probably be in good condition as well.

How to Prevent Radon From Entering Your Home

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:18:24 GMT

Radon is best known for being an odorless gas that's literally invisible. However, there is a concern about high levels seeping into your home in some areas of the country. It is toxic and can cause health problems after prolonged exposure.

How do you prevent radon from entering your home? Before you can get into prevention methods, you must understand:

What is radon?
Is radon hazardous?
How does radon get into your home?
The premise behind radon testing
How do you prevent radon from entering your home?

Stop panicking and take off the radiation suit. Instead, keep reading to learn about radon and how to prevent it from entering your home.

Radon is a byproduct of the breakdown of uranium & other radioactive elements. As these elements break down, radon gas is released into the surrounding soil , rock, and water. Eventually, it makes its way into the air.

When it's released into the air, radon appears as an odorless, colorless gas. However, radon itself can break down into a solid radioactive element known as radon progeny. These particles attach themselves to other small particles, such as dust, keeping the material from being completely disbursed into the air.

In an outdoor setting, radon is not harmful. It disperses rapidly and, therefore, isn’t concentrated enough to cause health issues. Indoors, however, is another matter.

The problem is that while radon is harmless in an outdoor setting where it can disperse into the atmosphere, it is a radioactive gas. When levels rise within your home, it can be hazardous to health . As a result, your home is often closed off from the free-flowing outside air, allowing levels to build up rather than disburse.

Increased radon amounts can cause an increased risk for the development of lung cancer. Combine radon exposure with cigarette smoke and you've got yourself one horrific problem. According to Cancer.org , those who live in a home with high radon levels and cigarette smoke have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those that contend with only one contaminant.

Is Radon Hazardous?

Sources

Conclusion

Having radon in your home is most certainly hazardous. Understanding where it comes from and how it infiltrates is the first step to mitigating it. As one of the more toxic airborne gases, you need to test your home. If the levels exceed 4 pCi/L, it's best to reach out for assistance so the chemicals can be removed, thus preventing future problems from occurring.

What is Radon?

How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?

As radon is found in the air, it might make you wonder how levels in your home can rise without the windows and doors being open. However, since it is a gas released from the soil, it doesn’t require a large opening. In fact, the contaminated air can enter in several ways:

Drains
Exposed soil
Joints between the floors and walls
Cracks in foundation
Loose-fitting pipes
Sump pumps

The most common source is when the radon seeps through the sump pump or cracks in your home’s foundation. Unfortunately, it can get through cracks so tiny, you may not even notice the issues before discovering high radon levels.

Despite the most common path being the foundation, sometimes radon comes in from a home’s water supply. It is usually due to the water supply being drawn from a well on the property.

How Do You Test for Radon?

Concerned there is a high level of radon in your home ? First, you should have the air quality tested to check the levels. You can purchase home radon tests and collect a sample yourself by following the included directions. However, hiring a radon testing company to do this step for you might be a bit easier and more accurate.

According to Howstuffworks.com , there are two types of radon testing devices, either active or passive. Active devices require electrical power to monitor the air quality in your home. Generally, these types of devices are used by professionals and work continuously over the testing period.

A passive device requires no power to operate during the testing period. These tests trap radon and progeny particles for a set period. Once the testing is complete, the device is analyzed in a lab. Passive devices include alpha track detectors, charcoal liquid scintillations, electret ion detectors, and charcoal canister detectors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers a safe level to be "between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L." Therefore, anything over a level of 4 pCi/L should be fixed to eliminate radon leakage and lower the inside levels.

How Do You Prevent Radon From Entering Your Home?

First, you must seal off any cracks or holes where the radon may be leaking inside. This includes making any foundational repairs, fixing drain pipes, or repairing your sump pump.

Once all the problem areas are sealed, you need to add a radon mitigation system to your home. You should start with a gas-permeable layer of gravel underneath your home. If your home sits on a slab, this step may not be feasible and should have been added before the house was built.

However, a gas-permeable layer of gravel is not used for homes with crawl spaces. Instead, plastic sheeting is used to cover the dirt floor of the crawlspace. This layer will help to trap some of the radon coming out of the ground.

With the ground under your home sealed, you need a way to vent air out of your home. This is accomplished with a vent pipe. It is a 3 to 4-inch PVC pipe running from the gas-permeable layer through your home to a vent on the roof. To help move the soil gases, you may need a fan that helps to pull it out of the ground and through the pipe.

Can Radon Mitigation Cause Foundation Problems?

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:59:38 GMT

Radon is a chemical that seeps into your home from the soil beneath and can be harmful after reaching a certain level. It sounds terrifying, but fear not! You can add a radon mitigation system to combat that problem. However, since you have to cut into your foundation, you may be worrying about foundation issues caused by installing a system.

Do radon mitigation systems cause foundational problems? Well, the short answer is there is no direct evidence pointing to a radon mitigation system causing issues. To best allay these fears, you need to:

L earn what causes foundation problems
How radon mitigation systems are added to existing homes
In what ways might the system affect your foundation
Learn how to fix foundational problems

Kick back and breathe easy as we explore more information on the above topic.

Foundation issues can result in structural damage to your home. While minor shifts in your home’s foundation may not be a problem, continued shifting can create cracks in walls and cause doors and windows to not open or close correctly. There are several ways the foundation can become damaged , moisture being the leading cause, according to Angi.com.

When there is heavy rain, snow, or a plumbing leak, the ground swells. The swelling pushes against the foundation. However, suppose a home is built when the ground is already saturated. In that case, there is a risk of the soil beneath the home shrinking during a drought. The shrinking causes the structure to settle.

While moisture, either excessive or drought level, is the leading reason for the foundation to buckle, it is not the sole reason. Sometimes the soil is not adequately prepared before laying the concrete slab. If it's not compacted correctly, the home may settle quickly and damage the structure.

Causes of Foundation Problems

Some areas in the United States now recommend that a radon mitigation system be installed during construction. But what of older homes? Rest assured that a professional can install a mitigation system if needed even though the home’s foundation is already in place.

According to This Old House , a professional installer will need to cut into the foundation in homes with no crawl spaces. The hole in the concrete needs to be large enough to hold a 3-inch PVC tube. That is only the beginning of removing radon from your home.

After cutting the foundation, they will need to dig out a pit below the slab. A large hole is necessary for dense soil as a fan must pull gasses from the ground and ventilate them into the air. However, if your home has a layer of gravel beneath the concrete, a smaller hole is optimal.

The ventilation pipe is installed from the hole to the attic. Once in place, the bottom of the tube goes into the pit. Then the installer "seals the joint using hydraulic cement." Before venting to the outside, the pipe goes through an in-line fan. This fan runs round the clock to help draw the gasses out of the pit. Once through the fan, the line "exits" the roof. Next, your installer will use a "standard plumbing boot" to seal around the ventilation pipe and prevent roof leaks.

Suppose your home does not have a crawlspace. In that case, chances are the installer will have to cut through your concrete foundation. The most significant danger to your home’s foundation is indeed water. But cutting into it can compromise your house’s foundation.

According to Saniflo , whenever you cut into concrete, you decrease the foundation’s structural integrity and the structure on top of it. The floor is not as solid as it used to be, nor is the soil underneath. Once it is disturbed, the house may begin to "settle differently," causing further damage.

No matter how experienced the professional is, there is never such a thing as a perfect cut. Despite your best efforts, the edges of the cut will begin to crumble, with minor fractures spreading away from the hole. Creating cuts in concrete is unpredictable at best. Unless the radon mitigation system is installed during construction, there is no way for the installer to know if the concrete is reinforced with "rebar." There is also no way to know if there are rocks in the soil below.

Once the slab is broken, you may find additional leaks or water seeping in from the ground below. If left in disrepair, you may find that you’re not only battling higher levels of radon than you expected but also mold and mildew from the moisture.

How a Radon Mitigation System Can Affect Your Foundation

Sources

Conclusion

While there is no direct evidence that installing a radon mitigation system will damage your home’s foundation, issues may arise during the installation process. Foundation problems usually come from increased or decreased moisture. The excavating of the soil could cause destabilization in the foundation. Rest assured, foundation problems are expected in some regions of the country. There are methods to fix any issues without damaging your radon mitigation system.

Adding Radon Mitigation Systems to Existing Homes

Fixing Foundation After Radon Mitigation System Installation

Even if there are no structural issues caused by the cracks in your foundation, you need to seal them as soon as possible. This is because radon can seep into your home through the small gaps.

If the cracks in the concrete slab are causing foundation issues, you need more than some epoxy to fix it. Typically, when foundation repairs are necessary due to settling, it is accomplished by using piers. The piers go deep into the bedrock below your home to stabilize the slab.

Do Crawl Spaces Have High Radon Levels?

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:51:04 GMT

When buying or selling a home, you might hear questions about having radon testing performed. Of course, it’s a good idea, and in the long run, you’ll be happy you did. But aside from testing the ground floor of your home, make sure that the crawl space is checked too. The crawl space might not cross your mind, but it is one of the main gateways for radon to get into your home.

There are a few things you need to learn about radon and how it can affect a crawl space, including:

Is Radon Dangerous?
How Does Radon Get Into Crawl Spaces?
Are Crawl Spaces More Prone to Radon Infiltration?
When Should You Test for Radon?
What Can You Do to Mitigate Radon in Crawl Spaces?

Ready to learn more? Grab a pen and paper and continue reading!

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that naturally occurs in the atmosphere. In outdoor settings, the gas is not considered dangerous. It disperses relatively quickly and isn’t regarded as hazardous to your health.

The danger comes when it is "trapped indoors." According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), once levels reach 4 picocuries/liter or higher, the risks to your health become greater. In fact, it's actually one of the key causes of lung cancer in the entire United States, with thousands of people dying from it each year.

Is Radon Dangerous?

Radon is a gas that releases from naturally decaying uranium found in almost every soil type . Your home can become contaminated as the gas seeps through minute cracks or holes in your foundation. As radon seeps in, it becomes trapped inside which causes the levels to rise.

The building materials used may also emit radon into the air. However, even when building materials give off radon, they are at low levels and are not considered hazardous. If you have a well on your property, it could also contribute to higher than normal levels.

Like basements, crawl spaces are especially prone to radon issues because of their location below the home and the fact that many have dirt floors. Think of your crawl space’s dirt floor like a window. It's always open and exposing your home to the elements. Radon and other gases come into your home through the ‘open window,’ i.e. dirt, and then become trapped in your home.

Homes in areas where low pressure is prevalent may see a more significant increase in radon levels. Days with heavy rain and wind tend to cause levels to rise because of the barometric pressure. Higher pressure days, however, result in less radon in the crawl space of your home.

Without a protective barrier to trap and ventilate the gas, it can quickly build up to dangerous levels. It then seeps into your home from the crawl space, making it a hazardous place to live.

Are Crawl Spaces More Prone to Radon Infiltration?

Conclusion

Crawl spaces are the prime locations to find radon-laden air. By understanding the dangers of radon and how it gets into your home’s crawl space, you can more effectively combat the situation. Also, because radon does carry health & safety risks, it's in yours and your family's best interests to seek outside help getting rid of it. Above all, safety first!

How Does Radon Get Into Crawl Spaces?

When Should You Have Radon Testing in Crawl Spaces?

There is no magic timetable for when you should test your home’s crawl space for radon. As a general rule, it's best to have the entire house tested, especially if it's one you are looking to purchase. However, suppose you live in an area with known high radon levels, such as in the northeastern part of the United States. In that case, you can request a test be performed during the inspection process.

If you haven't had your home tested in a while, it wouldn't be a bad idea to research a local company to come out and perform the test for you. For more information on radon testing, check out How is Radon Testing Done in a Home?

Mitigating Radon From Your Crawl Space

Your crawl space is especially prone to radon gas because of where it's located. Luckily, there are several different methods for mitigating it, the most common one being Crawl Space Sub-Membrane Depressurization. The first step is cutting off the source.

Then, a fan and pipe are installed to help vent radon outside. The fan helps to equalize the crawl space air pressure with the indoor air pressure on the first floor. The pipe venting gas outside runs along the side of the house to the roof. The placement ensures that radon is pushed away from your home.

In combination with the ventilation system, your crawl space floor may be covered as well. The covering acts as a barrier between the soil and your home. As a result, it allows the ventilation system to work more effectively.

Can a Radon Mitigation System Raise the Humidity Level in a Home?

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:44:17 GMT

If you discover radon in your home, your first priority should be to eliminate it, primarily with a radon mitigation system . The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that radon is the "leading cause of cancer for nonsmokers." Once you determine the source and select an effective remediation plan, the next step is knowing how the long-term condition of your home will be impacted.

One concern you may have when making major structural changes to your home is the risk of moisture damage. Moisture can cause a host of separate issues, including mold and mildew. Fortunately, radon mitigation systems usually do not appear to raise the humidity level in a home. In fact, when installed properly, there’s evidence that certain remediation systems may actually decrease the level of humidity.

If you’re concerned about how a radon mitigation system may impact the long-term condition of your home, keep reading. You may be pleasantly surprised at all of the fringe benefits that accompany installing this type of system.

What makes radon such a dangerous gas is how difficult it is to spot. It can literally be present in any home in the U.S., even if a neighboring house tested negative. To learn more about the risks of radon poisoning, check out Understanding Radon Poisoning and the Mitigation Process .

When beginning to discuss the benefits of radon remediation, it’s important to first define some of the most popular methods used. Keep in mind that not all remediation companies utilize all of the techniques mentioned below.

Active Soil Depressurization: This technique is probably the most well-known form of remediation and may be used in the interior, exterior, or slab of a home. It involves running one or more pipes from the basement, slab, or outside of your home. A radon vent fan will then be connected to the suction pipes, which then draws the gas from below your home and releases it into the outdoor air via your pipes and then finally to the roof.
Passive Subslab Suction: This technique is similar to active subslab suction except that it relies on natural pressure differentials and air currents, rather than a fan, to draw radon up from below your home. Passive subslab suction is often part of radon-resistant features that are installed in newly constructed homes.
Block-Wall Suction: According to the EPA, this method is specifically geared towards "basement homes with hollow block foundation walls." The radon is removed and the walls become depressurized. More often than not, "block-wall suction is used in combination with subslab suction."
Crawl Space Sub-Membrane Depressurization: This method uses a fan to draw air from the crawl space area and lower air pressure there to match indoor air pressure throughout the home. " A PVC pipe is connected to the radon fan and then exhausted up to the roof system ."

A recent EPA report on radon remediation , “Exploratory Study of Basement Moisture During Operation of ASD Radon Control Systems,” indicated that among these popular techniques, active soil depressurization (ASD) can actually produce significant decreases in home humidity levels. The study also found that these reduced moisture levels were particularly pronounced during months with high humidity.

Types of Radon Remediation

Active soil depressurization (ASD) techniques draw air from under the lowest level of your home, which is typically just below the basement, crawlspace, or slab. For most homeowners, this is typically where you will encounter radon gas entering through contaminated soil. Particularly for homeowners with basements, the basement is one of the areas of your home most vulnerable to moisture intrusion, and this is where you will likely notice a decrease in humidity.

Particularly when moisture levels are expected to be their highest, radon remediation is likely to pull out excess moisture, offering a number of additional fringe benefits:

Less potential for microbial growth
Overall drier basements that smell less
Reduction in moisture
Decreased need for dehumidifies
Energy savings with running dehumidifiers less

Overall, you may be surprised to know that radon remediation systems may actually save you money over traditional dehumidifiers. The long-term saving potential is greater because these systems typically use less electricity.

In addition, radon mitigation has other home comfort benefits over dehumidification systems. They are typically quieter, more compact, and present less of an eyesore in a room.

Benefits of Less Humidity in Your Home

Sources

Conclusion

If you’ve discovered that radon gas has infiltrated your home, don’t worry. It’s naturally occurring throughout the U.S., and there are many highly effective ways to bring it down to safe levels. Furthermore, you can rest easy knowing the integrity of your home will most likely not be compromised by a radon remediation system.

In fact, radon mitigation systems may actually make your home more comfortable by eliminating excess moisture and reducing the humidity level. These systems can typically be installed in areas that make them very inconspicuous, such as closets. They also do not generate a lot of excess noise, so you and your family will be protected with minimal impact on your day-to-day living, but maximum protection from this cancer-causing gas.

Where Will There Be Less Humidity?

When Can Radon Mitigation Increase Home Humidity?

Kansas State University’s National Radon Program Services notes that although radon remediation typically draws away soil air from beneath a basement floor that is high in moisture vapor, sometimes it can backfire. When not installed properly, collected moisture vapor can condense and "pool inside the ventilation pipe." If your home is located in a northern climate and the radon system is in an unheated area, that pooled moisture vapor can freeze, especially in chillier temperatures, which can damage the system, compromise radon gas removal and cause basement humidity to increase.

What is a Radon Barrier & How Does It Work?

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:31:54 GMT

Radon is an odorless gas that can invade your home without you even realizing it. It filters through the cracks in your foundation and flows upwards into your home. Over time, it can cause respiratory issues and is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer in the United States. The question is, how can you protect your home from radon?

You can install a radon mitigation system or radon barrier to help divert radon outside your home. Before you decide how to protect your loved ones, you need to understand:

How radon enters a home
How to lower radon levels
What a radon barrier is
How a radon barrier works
How effective these systems are
What a safe level of radon is

Knowledge is power, so arm yourself by learning more below.

Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that is linked to lung cancer. This gas is naturally occurring and can seep into your home without warning.

As mentioned previously, it can enter through gaps in the foundation, walls, or floors. Homeowners with foundation issues may have elevated radon levels. Your home doesn't have to be old to be at risk for hazardous radon. The gas is found in the surrounding soil and can just as easily seep into newer homes as it can into older homes. It all depends on how your home and ground react to one another.

How Does Radon Enter a Home?

Thehealthy.com notes that there are a few different ways to help lower the radon levels in your home, especially if they are below 4 pCi/L. One way is not to smoke inside. Smoking increases your risk for lung cancer because of the chemicals in cigarettes.

You can also use natural ventilation to temporarily reduce radon levels. Open your windows and use fans to circulate the air. Sealing cracks in the floors and walls will also help you mitigate the flow of radon.

To slow the influx, look at installing a radon barrier or radon mitigation system.

A radon barrier is fitted on the foundation and underneath the concrete slab. It is made from a flexible sheet. If you are concerned with radon in your area , you may consider having a radon barrier installed as you build your new home. High-risk areas are already required to have a radon barrier added at the time of construction.

What is a Radon Barrier?

Sources

Conclusion

Knowing the radon levels in your home is the first step to take before installing a radon barrier. If your levels aren’t actionable, it is time to install a barrier or system to help pull the gas out of your home and into the atmosphere. Radon barriers and mitigations methods effectively reduce the levels within your living space, keeping your family safe from hazardous levels of radioactive gas.

How to Lower Radon Levels

How Does a Radon Barrier Work?

During construction, workers lay the barrier to keep the concrete slab from making contact with the ground. This ultimately helps to keep radon from seeping into a home. Construction of the barrier begins with a four-inch layer of gravel over the newly dug foundation. The gravel gives gas freedom to move. On top of the stone, workers lay the heavy-duty barrier. The layer keeps gas from permeating the concrete while stopping the concrete from mixing in with the gravel.

To correctly install a radon barrier during construction, all overlaps should be sealed. Anything that goes through the sheet, like water lines, needs to have a seal around it. Radon barriers work best in tangent with a passive mitigation system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . After the barrier is in place, workers install a PVC pipe before pouring the concrete slab. The pipe is typically located in the basement or the sump pump pit. After the slab is poured, a connecting pipeline runs along the wall and through the roof of your home.

A radon barrier is installed during the construction of a new property. However, suppose you are experiencing actionable levels of radon in an already finished home. In that case, you’ll want to invest in a mitigation system instead. You can choose between a passive mitigation system or an active mitigation system.

The Most Common Types of Mitigation Systems

A passive system uses warm air to push gas from the ground and releases it safely into the atmosphere. However, a passive system does not guarantee that you won't have high radon levels. If you are uncertain about the levels, you need to test the inside air.

An older home can have a passive radon system installed. Adding one requires drilling a small hole, no more than four inches in diameter, through the concrete slab. Instead of going through the home's interior, the PVC pipe runs along the outside wall, extending past the roof.

Passive Radon Mitigation System

Active Radon Mitigation System

An active radon mitigation system is the more common option to lower radon levels. Unlike a passive system that relies on warm air to do the work, an active system uses a fan to help draw the radon out. There are a few different types of active radon mitigation systems. While they all work similarly, the placement of the fan and pipe installation will differ.

Active systems where the ventilation pipe is in the home's interior, the fan is located in the attic. Like with the passive system installed with a barrier, this option has the pipe running from the basement, sump pump room, or garage to the attic and then through the roof. In some cases, these mitigation systems are used in concert with a barrier. They are installed through the slab at the time of construction.

If you have a crawl space, consider adding a sub-membrane depressurization system to your home. This method lowers the pressure in your crawlspace through the use of a radon fan and PVC pipe.

Finally, you can choose to have your active mitigation system installed outside your home. This method is much like adding a passive mitigation system to an older home. The difference is the fan, which the passive system does not include. Workers place the radon fan at ground level instead of in the attic.

How Effective is a Radon Barrier?

The overall effectiveness of a radon barrier or mitigation system depends on several factors, including how easily gas can move under the material and the climate where you live.

For example, according to EPA findings , an active mitigation system can be 50 to 99 percent effective. In comparison, a passive sub-slab system is only 30 to 70 percent effective. They also found that passive systems work best in colder climates.

There is no official "safe level" for radon in a home. On average, the indoor air of homes has a radon concentration of 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Outdoor air levels have an average concentration of 0.4 pCi/L.

Testing your home is the only way to determine if you need to take action. Ideally, you should have a professional come out and do testing to check levels if you are concerned. If your home has levels above 2 pCi/L, take action to remove the radon. Levels above 4 pCi/L are considered actionable, and at that point, you may want to consider installing a radon barrier to lower the levels.

Is There Such a Thing As a Safe Radon Level?

What Types of Soil Contain the Highest Levels of Radon

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:22:27 GMT

Radon is everywhere. Not to scare you, but this cancer-causing, radioactive gas could be lurking in your neighborhood. You can’t see it or smell it, but there’s a really good chance that it’s there. That’s because radon gas occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium deep beneath the earth’s surface. Obviously, certain areas of the country are more prone to radon than others depending upon the topography and soil structure. Radon testing can help you determine if your home is harboring this dangerous gas.

Before you freak out that you are living in a toxic house built on soil, containing high levels of radon, it’s important to understand:

What is radon?
Where does radon come from?
Which soils contain the most radon?
Where are radon levels the highest?
How can you find out if there is radon in your home?

Keep reading to learn more about this common, yet highly dangerous gas that is lurking in almost every neighborhood, possibly including yours.

To put it in simple, layman’s terms, radon gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks. According to a report in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , radioactive radon is released from the soil into the air and groundwater.

Radon gas puts people at risk when it accumulates in high levels in indoor air and drinking water. It is also known to cause lung cancer.

What is Radon?

Radon gas can be found throughout the United States – literally from coast to coast. In fact, there is radon in every single state, although at different levels and not all amounts are considered dangerous.

Not to get too complicated, but radon gas is a byproduct of the element radium which ultimately comes from uranium. According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey , uranium is the parent element and is found deep within the earth’s crust. It’s billions of years old. As time passes, it breaks down forming radium, the daughter element. When solid radium decays, it releases radon gas. All three are radioactive substances.

The reason radon gas is found everywhere is because uranium is everywhere – all rocks are composed of at least a trace amount of it. Over time, the rocks beneath the earth’s surface break down and turn into soil. So, if the deep rocks in the area contain uranium, it stands to reason that the soil at the surface will too.

Because radon is a gas, it’s easy for it to permeate the soil, escaping into the air and even groundwater. If your house is built on land that contains high amounts of radon, then the gas can get inside your home. That typically happens through cracks in the foundation or basement, as well as gaps in construction materials. Radon gas can also enter your home through the plumbing including pipes, the sump pump system, or even drains.

It’s also important to note that radon is often found in the groundwater in areas with high levels of uranium. This becomes a concern if the water supply comes from a home well or from a “small public water” department. Without a water treatment program to remove radon, it can be ingested while drinking or inhaled from steam in the shower.

So, now that you know where radon gas comes from, you can better understand why it is more prevalent in some areas of the country than others. Since radon gas forms from the breakdown of uranium in the bedrock deep within the earth, it must pass through the various layers before it can escape. The more dense the soil is, the harder it is for the radon gas to permeate it.

The U.S. Geological Survey explains that radon moves easily and quickly through porous soils, like sand and gravel, and slower through more solid soils, clay being one such example. Moisture has a lot to do with this. In wet soil, like clay, it’s harder for the radon to permeate it, so the radon often becomes trapped and deteriorates before it reaches the surface. In dry, porous soils, radon gas is able to quickly escape into the air.

Which Soil Has the Most Radon?

Sources

Conclusion

No matter where you live, there is the danger of radon gas lurking beneath your home. It’s more of a concern if you live in areas with porous soil, such as sand and gravel, where the radioactive gas can easily permeate into the air and water supply. Even if that is the case in your community, you need not panic. Radon remediation can protect you and your family from this cancer-causing gas, making your home a perfectly safe place in which to live.

Where Does Radon Come From?

Where Are Radon Levels the Highest?

Areas with dry or highly permeable soil often see an increased level of “indoor radon.” This includes hills, canyons, and places where glaciers once were. So, it’s not surprising that the states with the highest levels of radon gas tend to be in the northern and most mountainous parts of the country. Montana, home to Glacier National Park, is almost entirely in what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers a “red zone” (places with a high level of indoor radon). The Rocky Mountain states, from Idaho down to New Mexico, are also in the red zone.

As previously stated, radon gas is found everywhere – even in coastal states. Connecticut has exceptionally high radon levels, affecting one in three homes. Nationwide, the average is “one out of every 15 homes,” according to the EPA . The cities in Connecticut with the highest levels of radon tend to be located in the southern part of the state. It’s believed the gravel and sandy soil in that area allows the radon gas to easily escape, allowing it to enter homes and water supplies.

On the contrary, Florida has low levels of radon gas because much of the state is composed of a thin layer of soil over limestone, a dense rock with very few pores. It’s so strong that limestone is often used in making cement. This consistency makes it extremely hard for radon gas to permeate from the uranium buried deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Not only is radon everywhere, but it is also highly carcinogenic. The Surgeon General declared radon to be “the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States,” behind smoking. For this reason, you definitely want to find out if you and your family are in danger. Fortunately, a simple radon test can determine if your home is contaminated .

The test will measure the air quality and water quality to make sure you are living in a safe environment. If dangerously high levels of radon are detected, a mitigation service can remove radon from the soil and the air you breathe, as well as the groundwater. This is done by using specially designed equipment that basically works as a super-powered fan.

How Can You Find Out if There is Radon in Your Home?

Cities With the Highest Radon Levels in Connecticut

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:05:27 GMT

Radon testing is not always a priority, but in the state of Connecticut, 1 in 3 homes have elevated radon levels, according to the CT Post . Across the rest of the U.S., that number is only about 1 in 15 homes. Depending on which Connecticut city you live in, you may be at a dramatically elevated risk for exposure to this cancer-causing gas.

Based on the geology and location, some cities throughout Connecticut have consistently exhibited elevated levels of radon:

Brookfield
Sherman
Greenwich
Stratford
Old Lyme
Ledyard

Keep reading to find out why these cities are considered higher risk for the presence of radon gas. You’ll also see whether you should make radon testing a priority, even if you don’t live in one of the counties listed.

To start, it’s important to know why many of the Connecticut cities that have higher levels of radon seem to be located together. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the four southernmost Connecticut counties have the highest risk for excessive radon (greater than 4 pCi/L). These counties include Middlesex, New Haven, Fairfield, and New London.

The U.S. Geological Survey explains that uranium is the “parent element” to radon gas, meaning that this gas is the byproduct of the breakdown of its parent. Areas that show higher levels of radon gas likely have certain types of uranium-rich rocks in their underlying soil:

Dark shales
Various types of granite
Volcanic rocks that are light in color
Sedimentary rocks containing phosphate
Metamorphic rocks that derived from the rocks listed above

It’s possible that the Connecticut cities that show elevated levels of radon have an abundance of these uranium-laden rocks in their soil. Because radon may more easily escape from permeable soils, such as gravel and sand, that may also help explain why homes in the southernmost, ocean-side counties exhibit the highest levels of this dangerous gas.

Connecticut Zones With the Highest Radon Risks

The town of Brookfield notes that several areas within its city limits have shown higher-than-normal levels of radon. With its location in Fairfield County, which was named a Radon Zone 1, it’s not surprising that this location features elevated levels of this gas. Like other cities with elevated radon levels, the city and state health departments have partnered to offer free testing kits to residents. However, it’s never a bad idea to play it safe and call in the professionals to conduct a thorough radon test on your home.

With its location nearby Brookfield, it should come as little surprise that this city has also shown elevated levels of radon gas. These higher radon levels have been spotted in water tested from public-utility wells, placing Sherman on the list of cities that may pose an exposure risk. As a city located in Fairfield County, this city has an inherently higher risk of radon gas exposure due to its EPA rating of being a Radon Zone 1.

Sherman

Sources

Conclusion

The list of cities above with known levels of radon that exceed tolerable amounts is not exhaustive. You should not use this list to confirm you have elevated radon levels, nor should you assume you’re safe if your home isn’t on the list.

Although these Connecticut cities are known to have some of the highest radon levels, it should be noted that elevated amounts can be found anywhere in the state. The region’s natural geology puts homeowners at risk no matter where they live.

This naturally occurring gas can literally be found anywhere, and levels can dramatically fluctuate even among neighboring homes. Regardless of whether you live in any of the four Connecticut Counties designated as Zone 1 for radon risk or your city is near any of the ones listed above, it’s a wise move to check for this dangerous gas. Testing is too simple, the mitigation systems are too effective and the health risks are too great to justify not taking precautions.

Brookfield

Greenwich

Another Fairfield County community with elevated concentrations of radon is Greenwich. Due to the underlying geology of this coastal city, there is a strong chance that the presence of this gas may be an issue for residents. The Department of Health noted that the average indoor level of radon in Greenwich was measured at 4.5 pCi/L or more. This is above the EPA's threshold of 4.0 pCi/L. In fact, the same report also explains that radon levels in some sources of water in the city were found to be above 5,000 pCi/L, which is also above the state’s limits.

Stratford is yet another Fairfield County town know to exhibit elevated radon levels. In fact, the New Haven Register explains that the high levels even pushed the town’s Health Department to begin marketing a health campaign aimed at encouraging residents to test their homes for this dangerous gas. The Town Health Director explains that the City of Stratford’s “geography and rock formations” make it one of the towns that have a higher percentage of homes with elevated radon levels.

Stratford

Old Lyme

Old Lyme is located in the County of New London, one of Connecticut’s four counties that received an EPA assignment of Radon Zone 1. An article from the Hartford Courant explained that testing of the water from public-utility wells in Old Lyme contained some of the highest radon levels in the state. Once radon makes it into a source of water, it can be inhaled as steam during a shower or through drinking.

Ledyard

The Hartford Courant also lists the city of Ledyard as a location with higher levels of radon. Again, this dangerous gas was found in many private and public-utility wells around the city. Ledyard is also located in New London County, which the EPA calls a Radon Zone 1.

What Factors Impact Accurate Radon Test Results?

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:59:05 GMT

Radon is a naturally occurring gas formed from a breakdown of uranium and found in soil, water, and rocks. It is a radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, killing approximately 21,000 people per year. Routine inspections of radon levels in your home are an excellent idea, especially before purchasing a new property. However, you need to understand that outside factors can affect radon test results if performed at the wrong time. What are some of those factors?

Various factors impact radon test results, including:

High Winds
Barometric Pressure
Temperature
Precipitation
Home Construction

Performing a radon test without accounting for these factors can give inspectors false positives or negatives. It may sound confusing at first.

To learn more about the different ways these factors can affect your test results, read on!

High winds can affect your home's radon levels in two ways, by either increasing or decreasing the levels. Which direction your levels go depends on how the winds hit your home.

When high winds hit your home on a side with the most doors and windows, it creates positive indoor pressure. Positive indoor pressure pushes radon out of your home, effectively dropping the levels.

Conversely, when high winds hit your home on a side with the least windows and doors, it creates negative indoor pressure. Negative pressure within your house will draw radon from the soil below into the building. With more radon entering the house, it raises the levels temporarily.

High Winds

As with high winds, barometric pressure can change the internal radon readings in your home. According to a Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Study , a decrease in barometric pressure can increase radon levels.

The barometric pressure acts as a retaining wall, keeping the radon trapped within the soil under your home. As the pressure decreases, the wall becomes weaker, and radon can seep out into surrounding areas. Radon can leak into your home through microscopic cracks in the foundation. As the barometric pressure can vary hourly, inspection groups will need to note the pressure during the inspection.

Outside temperature can affect your radon levels. During the cold winter months, radon levels increase because of poor ventilation . Radon levels are lower when you can open your windows and allow outside air to circulate throughout your home. When the mercury dips, it is less likely that you will open the windows and doors instead of keeping things shut up tight to hold on to heat.

During the spring and summer months, you don't close your home tight. With the increased ventilation, radon levels decrease significantly. Despite this benefit, it is best to get your home tested for radon during the cooler months. The results give you an idea of the worst-case scenario. This can help you determine how to combat the issue best.

Temperature

Sources

Conclusion

Many factors can give either a false negative or a false positive when conducting a radon test. High winds, barometric pressures, temperature, rain, and your home's construction all play a role in radon readings.

Barometric Pressure

Precipitation

Rain and humidity can influence the radon levels in your home. Light rain is not likely to cause a change. However, heavier rain might raise the internal levels slightly.

Like with colder weather, when a heavy rain comes through, most people close up their homes. Heavy rain is usually accompanied by strong winds, which may come from a direction where there aren't several windows or doors. The negative pressure caused by the wind and closing the home is ideal for raising the levels inside.

According to the EPA, “rain, snow, and sleet” can capture radon in the air and pull it to the ground. This action causes the radon levels in the soil to increase. Increased soil levels can seep into your home.

On the flip side, frozen precipitation such as ice and snow may actually lower your home's radon level. As with higher barometric pressure, ice and snow create a barrier that keeps radon in the soil instead of in your home.

Home construction can play a part in how much radon is in your home. Many new homes are built to be energy efficient. They carefully work to seal your house from the outside world to make it easier to heat and cool. Windows have tight seals, and everything is buttoned down to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.

Being tightly close causes a problem with radon levels. The EPA notes that unless the new homes are built to the Reducing Radon in New Construction (RRNC) building code, they will have a much higher level. However, there is no guarantee that homes built to RRNC code will be completely radon-safe.

Older homes may still have radon level issues, depending on the location and construction. However, these houses were not built to be energy efficient like newer construction. As a result, there may be better ventilation to allow radon to push out of the home.

Home Construction

What Should Homeowners Look for in a Radon Mitigation System?

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:54:17 GMT

If your home recently tested positive for radon, then you must begin the mitigation process immediately for the safety of yourself and your entire family. How do you choose the best radon mitigation system ? The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA notes that radon can enter your home when uranium in the nearby soil breaks down.

When looking for a radon mitigation system, ensure that your contractor is certified on a state level. You also want reasonable costs for the installation and operation of the system. Make sure your radon system offers various mitigation techniques, including the prevention of future radon.

Keep reading for even more tips on selecting the right radon mitigation system for your home. You need to feel confident in your decision, and with the information you’re about to learn, you can proceed with pride.

Okay, so this is more about your radon mitigation system contractor than the system itself, but it’s still important. According to the Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, the EPA states that hiring a qualified contractor is crucial.

Only experts understand where the radon on your property may be coming from, how to test the radon in your home, and what the best mitigation methods are (yes, there are multiple methods to choose from; keep reading for more on that).

Without certifications, you can’t ensure that your contractor has the know-how to do the job properly. Since radon has no color, smell, or taste, what’s even worse is that you’d assume the contractor did a good job when they really didn’t. Only if you ever did another radon test down the line would you realize the mitigation efforts had failed. Considering radon is a carcinogen, by then the health effects to you and your family might already be pronounced.

A certified radon mitigation specialist not only possesses the requisite knowledge, but he or she has access to high-quality mitigation equipment as well. You won’t have to worry about whether the radon is truly gone.

The EPA recommends at least a state-level certification for the contractor. They should also follow such standards as the Standard Practice for Installation Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings, E2121 as well as the regulations set by the American Society for Testing and Materials or ASTM.

Here’s What Your Radon Mitigation System Needs

How Radon Creeps Into Your Home

A good contractor will work with you to select a radon mitigation system that works for your home based on its foundation, size, and how much radon is on your property.

Installing the system is one part of your radon mitigation fees . Some companies that do radon mitigation system installations charge by the hour while others will offer a flat fee. If you do have to pay an hourly rate, installation work may last as few as three hours and as many as seven. It just all depends on the company. The completion time will depend on how many types of foundation your home has as well as the size of your home and if your basement is finished versus unfinished.

Once your new radon mitigation system is all set up, you or the contractor will need to turn it on. How much does it cost to operate a radon mitigation system? Here are the factors that can influence the price of operating your radon mitigation system, according to the EPA:

How many power lines are in the way of the system; if your contractor views them as an obstruction, then you’ll have to contact your electric company to remove a few of the lines
If your home is deemed historic, as that limits what your contractor can do
If your home has or had asbestos; the contractor will request asbestos removal before starting radon mitigation
The condition of the soil around your home, such as if it has compacted gravel or lots of dirt, sand, and clay; more fans are usually installed to increase the system’s ability to pull air from beneath the home
The height of your water table, as a higher water table may need more suction points
If your home’s slab has utilities or ductwork, both of which should be removed or sealed
Whether your crawl space walls are insulated, as the insulation could be a source of asbestos that needs removal before proceeding with radon remediation
How tall or large your crawlspace is; smaller ones can increase remediation labor costs
The type of interior drain tile, which might have to be sealed so radon can’t get in this way
How well your backup sump pump battery works, as it should be submersible so it can be sealed within
Whether your basement has radiant heat below; this often takes using a thermal imaging camera to detect
If your basement floors are very cracked, your contractor will request sealing them
How large your basement is; if it exceeds 2,000 feet, further remediation may be recommended
If you’re part of a homeowner’s association, as the contractor may be able to do limited work
How old your home is, with older homes typically requiring more remediation
The size of your home; if it’s more than 4,000 feet, expect higher radon remediation prices

Similarly, if your radon mitigation system has a fan, that piece of machinery will have to run for hours at a time, day in and day out. The fan requires electricity, which means your utility bills could go up. By powering down electronics when they’re not in use and turning off lights in other rooms of the house you’re not in, you might be able to shave your electric bill.

As the section above indicates, your home may need various radon mitigation techniques depending on its size, age, condition, and structure.

If your home has a crawlspace, then submembrane suction–a type of soil suction–works best. Alternatively, your contractor may suggest crawl space depressurization. This method involves installing a fan that pulls air away from the crawlspace and out.

Should your home have a basement or slab-on-grade, your radon mitigation options increase. Your contractor might recommend sump-hole suction, drain tile suction, passive sub-slab suction, or active sub-slab suction, a.k.a sub-slab depressurization.

With active sub-slab suction, your contractor would build at least one suction pipe to go through the floor slab and into the soil.

A Variety of Mitigation Techniques

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/radon/how-does-radon-get-your-home

Conclusion

A radon mitigation system is a life-saving operation as installed by pro contractors. Make sure that your contractor is state-certified before proceeding with work. Be aware of the costs of radon mitigation system installation and operation, looking to save money where you can, but never at the expense of system operations.

Reasonable Installation and Operation Costs

How Do Home Inspectors Test for Radon?

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:39:45 GMT

Radon is everywhere, yet many homeowners don’t know of the hazardous, radioactive substance until they’re in danger. Every home has an average radon level, but when it builds up, it poses a significant health problem.

Right behind smoking, high radon levels are the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. You can’t see, smell, or taste it. So, how do you know it’s around?

Professional home inspectors use specialized methods to detect radon’s presence in a home and how it’s affected by the surrounding environment. While every home has a standard radon level, it’s important that you bring in an expert to test often so you know what you’re dealing with.

Become familiar with a few essential factors of the radon testing process to learn how home inspectors keep you healthy and safe. You can gather a complete understanding of radon testing in three steps:

Know what radon is and how it’s harmful to you and your family.
Find out how radon infiltrates your home.
Discover the methods home inspectors use when conducting radon tests in your home.

Read ahead and explore three strategies to bolster your radon knowledge-- including how to detect an abnormal radon presence in your home and what to do once it’s there. By the time you’ve completed this crash course in radon testing, you’ll feel confident finding a quality home inspector who will explain your unique results and develop an action plan with you.

Radon is a hazardous, cancerous gas you’re unable to see, smell, or taste. If you breathe in enough of the gas, its radioactive properties will harm your lungs. Radon gas breaks down in unstable ways, sending powerfully charged, radioactive particles into your lung cells.

The outcome? An increased risk of lung cancer. Most people don’t know they should conduct regular radon testing in their current home, and again if you choose to sell or buy a new home.

What is Radon and How Does it Hurt You?

How Radon Creeps Into Your Home

Radon’s toxic gas comes from a naturally occurring environmental process where uranium decomposes from soil, rock, water, and air. Radon commonly creeps into your home through foundational crevices and cracks, soil-exposed crawl spaces, openings surrounding your electrical outlets, and basements.

According to a homeowner’s guide released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 1 in 15 homes have an elevated radon level. Because radon naturally exists in the environment, the possibility of an unsafe home level is a real problem that only radon testing and proper mitigation can solve.

Even if you think your newer home is sealed and immune to a radon problem, you shouldn’t rely on any state, local, or neighborhood testing levels to determine your own levels. Radon builds up indoors, so each home’s test reading will be unique.

In, “What Does Radon Testing Involve?” homeowners are warned that radon-releasing construction materials (like granite, concrete, and brick) are all used during home builds. Proper and regular radon testing is a high-priority task when you are buying or selling a home.

Home inspectors conduct two types of radon tests: short-term and long-term. Short-term tests are a quick way to determine initial radon levels. They run for a minimum of two days to get an accurate reading.

Long-term tests run over the course of several months to provide a year-round average reading. Humidity, ventilation, and homeowner behavioral patterns are all critical points home inspectors consider to give you a correct result.

If you’re worried about radon testing, find a qualified home inspector to run the test for you. Professional home inspectors will recommend the most suitable testing methods for your home and explain how to maintain optimal conditions during the radon test. They’ll also analyze, explain, and report the data for you.

Radon Testing Methods Home Inspectors Frequently Use

Sources

Conclusion

Try not to go more than two years without radon testing your home and avoid doing it yourself. There are many anti-interference testing methods a qualified home inspector will suggest to ensure you get the best results. Keeping your home in good condition and your family safe starts with recognizing and understanding hazardous environmental conditions.

What if Radon Mitigation Doesn’t Work?

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:23:48 GMT

Medical professionals alike agree that radon gas is a dangerous chemical. Because it is an odorless, colorless gas, it is often left untreated and leads to thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year.

If the radon mitigation system that was installed in your home failed or stopped working properly, it can have several big consequences:

The gas level readings for this dangerous chemical will rise or remain at a heightened level.
Your health risks due to radon gas exposure will return.
You will be unable to sell your home in its current condition.
You will be forced to address the issue as quickly as possible.

You need to know your remediation steps and system repair options when radon mitigation doesn’t work. This includes retesting your home, checking your contractor’s work, having your contractor come back for repairs, and even hiring a new contractor in special cases.

If you’ve found yourself with elevated radon gas readings even after having it remediated, keep reading. There are several important steps you need to take to address elevated levels of radon gas in your home.

You may want to start by testing your home’s radon levels again to confirm that the testing system you purchased was set up and used properly. Remember, this is a dangerous health hazard, so you want to perform this testing as soon as possible.

The EPA notes that there are two types of tests, long-term and short term. Although long-term testing will provide more accurate seasonal averages of radon gas, your main concern at this point is to confirm its presence at all. A short-term test, which can take as little as two days in this case, would be a wise idea. If result confirmation is needed, a second short-term test can be used.

If your home’s radon level is still measured at 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, the EPA advises that you must address this problem. However, the EPA notes that radon gas levels below the 4 pCi/L threshold can still pose a health risk and should be reduced. This is particularly true if you’ve already hired a contractor to perform mitigation.

Test Your Home’s Radon Levels Again

Check Your Contractor’s Work

If the radon levels remain high after repeated testing, you should take time to check the work performed by your contractor. The EPA notes that there is a list of important radon removal standards that contractors must meet when installing reduction systems.

Ensure that the radon reduction system was clearly labeled so it cannot accidentally be disrupted.
Get a complete demonstration of how your radon reduction system operates, including instructions on how to maintain it.
Make sure you get complete operating and maintenance instructions for your radon system, and copies of any warranties.
Make sure that the soil suction system’s exhaust pipes vent above the roof and at least 10 feet above the ground. Exhaust pipes should also be 10 feet or more away from windows, doors and any other openings where radon may reenter the home.
Make sure the exhaust fan is not located in or below a livable area
Make sure the contractor installed a fan meeting local building codes for exterior use if an outside exhaust fan was used.
Check to make sure electrical connections “of all active radon reduction systems” were installed according to local electrical codes.
Ensure a warning device was installed to alert you if the system stops working for any reason. This device should have been placed where it will be easy to see and hear if it is triggered.
Ensure that your contractor checked to see if the warning device works properly.
Make sure that your contractor performs a “post-mitigation radon test” 24 to 30 days after the system is installed.

The EPA explains that you should also get a follow-up radon measurement from an independent company, not the one that did the original installation. Doing so will help eliminate the potential for a conflict of interest to develop that causes the results to be skewed. According to the EPA, you can also gauge the system's effectiveness with a two-to-seven-day measurement.

There are many types of radon mitigation systems that can be used, including techniques for the interior, exterior, slab and crawl space of your home. Understanding the different mitigation types, where they’re used and how they work will help you better evaluate your system and your contractor’s work.

If your radon mitigation system failed any of the inspections you performed, it’s important that you contact the radon mitigation company you used. If they’re a reputable company, they should guarantee their work for the period of time specified in your contract. As long as you’re within the window, you should hold the company to their promise and ensure that they come back to solve the issue. The EPA notes that contracts with some companies may even include a promise to reduce radon levels to a certain level before work ever begins.

The company you hired should begin by testing and then troubleshooting your system to find out exactly why it’s not properly working. There are many reasons why a radon mitigation system may not be working properly, so it’s important that the company spends enough time pinpointing the exact issue.

Contact the Radon Mitigation Company You Used

Based on evidence by the EPA, radon mitigation systems work well. In some cases, they’re 99% effective . When you’ve had radon removal performed in your home and you’re still seeing elevated levels, that’s a sign that you may have hired the wrong team to perform the work. If the first radon mitigation company you hired cannot fix the issue, you need to reach out to another company to come in and provide a solution. Sometimes inexperienced professionals can make fundamental mistakes that prevent the removal of this gas:

They didn’t identify the true source of radon.
They chose the wrong remediation method.
They improperly installed your remediation system.

Any and all of these oversights can lead to a persistence of high radon gas levels in your home. If you’ve realized the company you originally hired doesn’t have the experience to address your issue, don’t delay in hiring a new company to solve the problem.

Should You Hire Another Radon Mitigation Company?

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Conclusion

A radon mitigation system that has stopped venting this dangerous gas from your home demands quick action to get it working again. Even though it may be a frightening situation for you as a homeowner, you can rest easy knowing that this is a problem that can be quickly resolved with the right steps and professional service.

A radon mitigation system in your home will also not automatically qualify it as a dangerous property, hurt its value or prevent it from ever being sold. Homes that once tested positive for elevated radon gas levels may be sold without issue, as long as a properly installed mitigation system is in place. In fact, effective radon mitigation may actually be considered a selling point that helps a home sale.

The EPA explains that almost one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has excessive levels of this dangerous gas. This naturally occurring radioactive material is found in every state and climate, and there’s simply no way to predict if your home will have it, even based on your neighbors’ test results. As long as you have the appropriate mitigation system and it’s working properly, your health and property value should remain unaffected.

You cannot ignore the problem. The CDC notes that radon gas exposure leads to a significantly higher cancer risk, particularly for smokers and former smokers, those who spend lots of time at home and individuals who spend a lot of time where the radon levels are highest. Even burning coal or wood to heat your home can cause indoor air pollution that contributes to the health risks of radon gas. Delaying or ignoring radon removal unnecessarily increases your chances of developing this cancer.

You also cannot sell your home with elevated radon gas levels. Prospective buyers of your home will perform a full home inspection, including testing for radon gas. When they detect this gas, you will likely be forced to address it before the sale would ever be complete.

What Can You Not Do if Radon Mitigation Failed?

What Does Radon Testing Involve?

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:15:09 GMT

Whether it’s through floor cracks, construction joints, wall cavities, service pipes, or even the water supply, radon has a lot of ways to invade your home. If you’re thinking of testing your property for radon, you want to know what such a test involves. How does the process of radon testing work?

Radon testing involves using devices like electret ion detectors, alpha track detectors, charcoal liquid scintillation devices, and continuous radon monitors to determine the levels of radon in your home. You may hire a professional to administer a radon test or even do so yourself.

If you still have questions about radon and testing for it, then you’re definitely going to want to keep reading. Ahead, you’ll learn more about the dangers of radon, why it’s tested, when you need to test, and what the results can tell you.

First, let’s begin by discussing radon testing. What is it and why is it so necessary? Radon testing can detect the radioactive chemical element known as radon. Without this test, radon can easily go unobserved, as it has no taste, smell, or color.

As mentioned in the intro, radon can enter your home from a variety of sources. Healthline.com explains that as uranium in the soil begins to break down, radon results, often in gas form. Any openings within your home can then release the gas inside. These include everything from flooring and wall cracks to construction joints, service pipe gaps, suspended floor openings, and wall cavities.

Even if your home was sealed up tighter than Fort Knox, sometimes the materials used in home construction release radon. The CDC lists granite, gypsum, natural stone, brick, concrete, and sandstone have thorium, uranium, and radium, all radioactive elements.

Further, radon can enter through your local water supply. If you don’t use granular activated carbon filters for your water, then you could ingest radon daily without even realizing it.

Some parts of the United States are more at risk for radon exposure than others. The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA has a countrywide radon map that breaks down radon levels on a state by state basis.

The red states represent Zone 1. In these states, radon levels are above 4 picocuries per liter or pCi/L, which the EPA says is the max allowable radon limit for safety and health. States in Zone 2, which are colored orange, have between 2 and 4 pCi/L of radon, which is a safer range. The safest states are in Zone 3, which is yellow. These states have 2 pCi/L of radon or under.

According to the EPA , radon exposure could cause lung cancer if said exposure happens over many years. This cancer risk is present even in non-smokers, and the risk increases among those who already smoke.

To get the most accurate reading of radon levels on your property, the professionals administering the testing will do so multiple times. Radon levels can change by season and even from one day to another.

What Is Radon Testing?

What Does Radon Testing Involve?

Should you decide to hire professional radon testers, they will use one or more devices for assessing the current levels of radon in the soil, air, and/or water. Here is an overview of those devices and how each one works, as outlined by the EPA .

Electret Ion Detectors

An electret ion detector is a lab-produced device with a Teflon disc inside. HowStuffWorks.com further explains that the disc undergoes charging via static electricity. Radon decay, which is ionic, will instantly be attracted to the Teflon disc. Each time radon sticks to the disc, the Teflon’s electric charge drops more and more.

The professional administering the test will take the Teflon disc out after testing and compare the disc’s original charge to its current charge to determine the levels of radon.

Alpha Track Detectors

Another device for testing radon is an alpha track detector. Unlike an electret ion detector, you can buy an alpha track detector online or at some hardware stores. This detector features a layer of film, often made of plastic, that catches alpha particles. Each time the alpha particles make contact with the plastic, they etch a mark into the film.

After the test wraps up, the results can be processed in a lab using a chemical treatment to make each etching visible. Many tracks across the plastic film are indicative of the level of radon in your home.

Charcoal Liquid Scintillation Device

A charcoal liquid scintillation device, also referred to as a charcoal canister, includes a charcoal filter that absorbs the radon. Then, when the device goes to the lab, a liquid scintillation medium will detect how much radon is present or a sodium iodide counter will.

Continuous Radon Monitor

The above three examples are all passive radon testing devices, whereas a continuous radon monitor is considered active. The monitor itself can detect changing levels of radon or it may work with the above devices to augment their radon tracking abilities.

Now that you know what radon testing involves, you may wonder if it’s time to get your home tested for radon. The following scenarios are all good ones to schedule a radon test.

You’ve Never Tested Your Home

If you’ve lived in your home for years or even decades but have yet to test it for radon, now is as good a time as any to do the test immediately. You can’t know whether radon has been leaching into your water supply or through gaps through your home unless you test it. You can also determine if the building materials themselves are the source of radon with a test, so don’t wait.

You’re Selling Your Home

If your home will soon go on the market, testing for radon is one of the first things you should do. The EPA, in its Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon , recommends testing on a low level in your home even if you don’t use that level yourself. The EPA also suggests testing before putting your home on the market, not afterward.

Having radon test results to give to the homebuyer provides them peace of mind that they’re purchasing a safe and healthy home.

You’re Buying a New Home

If you’re the one who’s moving, a radon test comes highly recommended. Even if the home seller did a test of their own, homeowners may request their own testing for several reasons, note the EPA report.

One of these reasons is that the seller didn’t test at a low enough level of the home, such as the basement. The home might have been renovated since the last test, which would require a new radon test. Also, if a test is older than two years, the home should be retested, as the old results may not be accurate.

The homebuyer or even the home inspector can take care of radon testing. It’s not wise to proceed with signing final paperwork until the test results come back.

How Do You Know When You Need Radon Testing?

What if the radon test results come back higher than you anticipated? You’ll need radon mitigation to make the home habitable. Depending on the source of the radon, mitigation measures can vary.

On your own, you can buy plastic sheeting to go beneath the slabs of your property to prevent radon from getting in through the soil. A vent pipe and fan system, also known as a soil suction radon reduction system, is another option. This system includes a series of pipes up to four inches that prevent radon from getting in. More simply, you can caulk and seal any openings and gaps.

If those at-home measures don’t work, you’ll need the assistance of radon mitigation specialists. They can depressurize the soil using an exterior or interior installation similar to a soil suction radon reduction system. An exterior active soil depressurization system has a fan attached to a vent. The fan is on the ground level of your home and sends air and radon through pipes and to the roof’s exhaust system.

An interior active soil depressurization system starts at the garage or basement and runs to the attic, including through each closet in your home. The fan in this system still sends the air and radon through the roof pipes.

What Should You Do After a Radon Test?

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Conclusion

Radon is a radioactive gas with no color, smell, or taste. It may also be a carcinogen. The only way to know how much radon you might have in your home is through radon testing. If you’ve yet to get a radon test for your property, don’t wait another day! This test can save lives.

How Long Does it Take to Remove Radon From a Home?

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:03:34 GMT

If you have any suspicion that radon gas may be present in your home, it’s important that you do everything you can to quickly limit your exposure. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and the longer you’re exposed, the greater your health risks.

The removal of this dangerous gas is often straightforward and can be accomplished fairly quickly once a system is installed. In fact, it may only take a few days for a properly installed mitigation system to remove radon from your home. However, there are several steps you need to complete before you get to that point. Those include a comprehensive inspection of your home to see the levels of radon, identification of the source and selection of the right mitigation technique for your home. All of that can add time to the process.

Read on to learn more about how quickly radon gas can be removed from your home, as well as issues that may delay this process.

In a perfect world, you could wrap up testing, install the right mitigation system and begin clearing radon from your home in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. There are a number of factors that can complicate and slow down radon removal.

What Factors Impact the Speed of Radon Removal?

The Type of Test You Use:

There’s no one-size-fits-all test for radon. You can choose a DIY kit, or hire a professional. You can even choose the amount of time required for the test to be complete. All of those options come with different time requirements, which can impact how quickly you start ridding your home of this gas.

If testing speed is your greatest concern, short-term tests only need to remain in your home a few days. They give you a snapshot of the amount of radon gas in your home during that short window. However, long-term tests, which measure the year-round average amounts of radon gas, may take months.

Clearly short-term tests allow you to analyze the radon levels in your home much quicker, though you sacrifice some accuracy and seasonal insights. Remember, the EPA recommends that you take action if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.

What Temporary Steps Can You Take to Immediately Reduce Your Health Threats

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development notes that there are some steps you can take to immediately cut down on your radon exposure and associated health risks:

Increase the airflow in your home: You can quickly and easily reduce the presence of radon gas by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate fresh air. Note that this may make your home uncomfortable in very hot or very cold weather, but it may be a worthy tradeoff to reduce high levels of radon gas.
Seal any cracks or gaps: These openings in your floors can allow radon gas to enter. As mentioned above, sealing with plaster, caulk or other materials is typically done in a full mitigation process, but it never hurts to do this step immediately and begin blocking any gas entry points.

Once radon has been found at levels that warrant removal, you need to identify the actual source. Although the EPA explains that radon can be present in well water, then become released as a gas during showering, the radon found in your soil is your greatest risk.

To test radon entry into your home from the soil, the EPA recommends using a professional contracting company that can perform a diagnostic test. Usually, this test involves using chemical smoke to map the source and direction of air movement in your home from the soil outside, into your home. Generally, this testing is focused at the lowest level of your home, whether that’s a basement, crawlspace or slab.

This testing phase adds additional time to your removal of radon gas, but it’s important. The right removal technique relies on proper identification of the source.

The Source of Radon:

In general, most radon removal systems can be installed in a day. However, more robust mitigation systems could take longer to install. Depending on your home layout, size and recommended mitigation technique, some additional features and additional steps could lengthen this process:

Installation of multiple fans or pumps
Creation of multiple suction points
Installation of a crawl space barrier

The sealing of cracks and gaps in your foundation is generally included with most mitigation techniques, though this step alone has not been shown to significantly reduce your radon levels.

It’s also important to note that any major home renovations should include radon testing as well. Major structural changes in your home, such as an addition or converting an unused basement into a finished living space, can change the level of radon present. Even if you had a radon system installed before the renovation, it’s important for you to test after as well.

The Recommended Mitigation Technique

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Accordin g to the CDC, your odds of contracting lung cancer due to radon exposure depends on a few factors:

Do you smoke or have a history of smoking?
Do you have elevated amounts of radon in your home?
Do you spend a lot of time inside your home?
Do you spend most of your time inside near areas with high concentrations of radon?
Do you burn wood, coal or anything else that compromises your indoor air quality?

If you answered “yes” to the factors above, your risk of radon exposure may be higher, and the health risks may be accelerated.

How Long Does it Take for Radon Exposure to Threaten Your Health?

Radon removal systems are extremely effective at removing this dangerous gas from your home. According to the EPA, some systems can remove up to 99 percent of radon gas that was present. To learn more about the effectiveness of radon systems, check out How Effective are Radon Systems at Reducing Radon Levels by Radon Systems of Connecticut.

Some professional companies even install monitors with their radon reduction equipment. These monitors will alert you if there is ever a problem with your system, offering you even more peace of mind that you’re protected. Even if a removal system stops protecting you due to a failed fan or other parts issue, your radon exposure will be limited because the monitors will alert you.

How Effective Are Radon Removal Techniques?

Is there Anything You Can Do to Prevent Radon Exposure?

The fastest way to end your exposure to radon is to prevent it in the f irst place. If you’re building a new home, you can take several preventative steps to avoid radon entering your home altogether:

Install a barrier below your foundation or slab to prevent radon gas from penetrating and entering your home.
Run ventilation piping from your basement or crawl space up through the roof to encourage gas to vent outside of your living space.
Seal all cracks and gaps in your foundation to prevent radon gas from entering.

Although these techniques may significantly reduce radon exposure due to the soil surrounding your home, they won’t help you if your water is the source of exposure. Plus, these techniques only work if you’re building a brand new home. If it’s an existing structure, you’ll have to rely on the typical mitigation techniques.

Remember, radon is present throughout the nation, and there’s no way to know if your home is at risk. Because of the major health risks associated with exposure, and the relatively inexpensive testing techniques, it’s always recommended you perform a test whether you’re getting ready to buy, sell, or renovate your home.

How Is Radon Testing Done in a Home?

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:48:38 GMT

According to the EPA, one out of 15 homes have elevated levels of radon, which is a tasteless, odorless gas that can cause serious health consequences.

Radon testing can be done through purchasing a home testing kit or having professional testing done on your home. When left unchecked, radon gas can slip into a home’s air and water supply, increasing the risks of lung cancer for occupants. In fact, the EPA estimates that radon exposure is responsible for more than 20 thousand cancer deaths each year. If you’re in the process of buying, selling or building a home, radon testing should be at the top of your list of steps to take.

As a homeowner or seller, it’s vital you understand how radon testing is performed, where testing takes place and when radon systems are used to mitigate the risks of this dangerous gas. Keep reading on to learn more about the radon testing process.

Radon gas occurs naturally as uranium breaks down in soil, rock and water. Although radon can enter homes through well water or even through some construction materials, such as granite or concrete, the greatest risk of radon entry into a home is through the soil.

It’s important to note that all homes can be at risk for having high levels of radon, regardless of age or location. This gas may be present in any region of the country and in all types of terrain. In fact, two homes right next to each other could have widely varying levels of this gas. That means that every home must be tested because there’s simply no way to predict if yours will or will not have high levels.

What Is Radon Gas and Where Does It Come From?

Radon Testing Options: Home Testing Kits Vs. Professional Testing

When it comes to radon gas testing, you can do it yourself with a home testing kit or hire a professional company. An elevated radon level that requires mitigation would be 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. If your radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, you should consider fixing the issue.

Home Testing Kits: The benefits of home testing kits are cost, speed and convenience. These DIY kits often cost less than $50, take only a few days to perform, and are available at most local hardware and home improvement stores.

However, using a DIY radon testing kit means you sacrifice accuracy for convenience. Therefore, these tests are only recommended to identify if there is a problem. These tests are not meant to provide specific radon levels. If radon is detected, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional company to test your home.

If you decide to purchase a DIY test, here are several important steps you need to take to get the most accurate result possible:

You must keep all of your home’s doors and windows closed for 12 hours before initiating testing, as well as during the test. This will prevent radon gas from escaping your home, which would yield inaccurate results.
Because soil acts as the primary source of radon gas entry into a home, testing should be performed at the lowest point of your home’s living space.
Depending on the test you purchased, you must leave it undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours. Check the product instructions for the exact testing time required.
Finally, you must send your testing device to a laboratory for analysis when your testing is complete. This lab will provide the results of your radon test.

Professional Testing: If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, professional radon testing is recommended. This testing method is performed by trained and certified experts using precise, professional-grade equipment.

There are some very important differences in professional and home testing kits that you should understand:

Professional testing includes examination of all potential causes of radon exposure, allowing companies to pinpoint the source.
Reputable radon inspection companies will also test the soil around your home, often down to the third layer of earth.
To check for radon-contaminated water, a professional company should check private wells, public water supplies and any groundwater sources.

If radon gas is identified during a professional test, the company you hired will typically help create a comprehensive plan to resolve the issue and make the home safe.

Why Fight the Risks of Radon Exposure?

According to the EPA, radon gas exposure is second only to smoking as the primary cause of lung cancer in the U.S. In fact, the combined effect of smoking and radon exposure dramatically increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Other factors that influence your risk of radon exposure are the length of time you’ve lived in a home with high radon levels and the intensity of exposure.

Lung cancer kills more men and women in the U.S. than any other type of cancer. If you’re unsure whether your home has been tested for radon, don’t delay. The longer you are exposed, the greater the risks to your health.

Home testing kits are usually considered short-term tests. Though convenient, these provide only a snapshot of a home’s radon levels, which can ebb and flow throughout the year.

Long-term tests, on the other hand, provide readings that are far more likely to be indicative of your home’s average radon levels throughout the year. Because long-term tests capture peaks and valleys in your radon levels, they are considered more accurate.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Testing

If a professional inspection company identifies elevated levels of radon in your home, they will discuss various mitigation options with you. If, however, you performed a home test and the results came back as elevated, it is highly recommended that you contact a reputable team of specialists to come to your home to ensure that you and your family have a safe living environment.

If the company you hired confirms the presence of radon in dangerous levels, they will work with you to recommend the appropriate radon mitigation techniques and systems.

What to Do if Radon Gas Is Found in Your Home

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The radon mitigation company you hire should select a custom radon system to make your home safe. Because no two homes are the same, each requires a different solution because this gas may enter through several different avenues:

Water supply
Cavities inside walls
Gaps in suspended floors and around service pipes
Wall cracks and construction joints
Cracks in your flooring
Building materials used during construction

With so many ways for radon to enter your home, it’s essential you select an experienced, reputable company that can identify all the high-risk points in your home.

The type of radon system and mitigation techniques also depends on your home’s foundation. Homes with a basement, crawl space or slab may all require a different radon mitigation system. Furthermore, your home’s source of water may also dramatically alter the mitigation system put in place. At the same time, the radon gas levels and age of your home may also impact the mitigation technique.

With so many factors in play, it is essential the company you choose be familiar with all the options available, including the latest technologies and techniques.

How Companies Select the Proper Radon Mitigation System

Although there are several radon mitigation techniques available, including physical barriers, Radon Systems of Connecticut uses four main types:

Interior Installation of Active Soil Depressurization: In this system, a pipe is installed to run from the basement or garage through the closets. The pipe is then attached to a radon fan in the attic, which is vented through the pipes to the roof. This is the most popular form of radon mitigation.
Active Soil Depressurization for Slabs: For homes built on a slab, a pipe is inserted into a section of slab in your home, and a fan is used to extract radon from soil gas below your home. The polluted air is then vented at the roof.
Sub-Membrane Depressurization for Crawl Spaces: This method lowers air pressure in a home’s crawl space to match the indoor air pressure, stopping radon gas from being drawn into a home. A fan is then used to draw air from the crawl space, and the pipe carrying the radon-laden air is exhausted at the roof.
Exterior Installation of Active Soil Depressurization: This exterior system is installed at the outside foundation of a home. It involves a vent that is connected to a ground-level fan that exhausts gases through pipes that run up to the roof.

Radon Systems Used in Mitigation

Is Radon Mitigation Covered by Insurance?

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:33:31 GMT

You just got your home inspection report back and unfortunately, the home has radon in it. You obviously can’t keep this radioactive gas in your future home, so that calls for radon mitigation . Will your insurance cover this mitigation, or will you have to pay for it out-of-pocket?

Radon mitigation is not covered under homeowner’s insurance. However, sometimes, the seller will pay for this mitigation, although you may have to split the costs in other instances or pay for it entirely on your own.

Keep reading to learn more about what your options are for covering the costs of radon mitigation, including estimates for the job and if it’s up to you or the seller to mitigate this dangerous gas.

Radon is a type of radioactive gas that has no taste, odor, or color. Like carbon monoxide then, it can be hard to detect radon in a home. Also like carbon monoxide, radon can be deadly, leading to cancer in some people, especially lung cancer.

According to Radon.com , in the United States, radon causes the second most deaths from lung cancer behind only smoking cigarettes. Every year, 20,000 lung cancer-related deaths are attributed to radon.

Any home should have no more than 4 pCi/L of radon, which is short for picoCuries per liter of air. Ideally, the home should be radon-free, but the above 4 pCi/L level is acceptable under the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. By exceeding those levels, you and your family are at radiation risk.

What Is Radon?

What Is a Radon Mitigation?

That’s why a radon test is always recommended before buying a home, usually as part of the home inspection process. Most radon tests don’t have alarming results, but what about those homes that contain 4 pCi/L of radon or more?

Before you ever think of moving into such a home, you need to get radon mitigation.

It’s recommended that you always request a quote for radon mitigation before committing to the service, says Radon Systems of Connecticut in How Much Does a Radon Mitigation Company Cost?

Energy Recovery Ventilators

Energy recovery ventilation involves taking exhausted air from a home, preconditioning it, and then adding it back to the home’s HVAC or ventilation system as healthy, breathable air. The energy recovery ventilator also acts as a pre-heater in the winter and a pre-cooler and dehumidifier in the summer.

Heat Recovery Ventilators

With heat recovery ventilation or mechanical ventilation heat recovery, the exhaust gas’ residual heat is captured, freshened, and reintroduced as pre-cooled or pre-heated air, typically with an air conditioning system. This method operates under some of the same rules as energy recovery ventilators and is especially convenient for radon mitigation if you live in a humid environment.

Is Radon Mitigation Covered by Insurance?

Since you soon plan to move into a new home, you either bought homeowner’s insurance for the first time (if this will be your first home) or upgraded your policy for the new property. Either way, as soon as you learn that you need radon mitigation for the home, you begin digging into your insurance policy to see what your options are.

Yet you won’t find anything about radon mitigation for your homeowner’s insurance, and that’s because this type of insurance doesn’t cover radon treatment. That will still be the case even if you switch insurance providers.

The Above Slab Air Pressure Differential Barrier Technology or ASAPDB is yet another radon mitigation method. It creates air conditioning ductwork and drywall internal pressure envelopes that are airtight.

To do this, the team will use a blower that’s 15 cubic feet per minute to take the air with radon in it and pull it out of the cavities of a home. Then, the air gets exhausted outdoors.

Now that the HVAC ducts are sealed, the wall cavity air, which contains radon, cannot get into the home. ASAPDB is the proven radon mitigation option for high-rise apartments and other tall buildings, and it’s also good for those who live in humid climates.

Above Slab Air Pressure Differential Barrier Technology

Most radon mitigation will probably be active soil depressurization. This works for all sorts of buildings, even shorter or taller ones, as radon can get into a home or building through the rocks and soil below. By treating radon at the ground level, typically using a mechanical ventilator, radon stays outside.

One aspect of active soil depressurization entails lowering air pressure of exterior cavities and, if necessary, destroying walls with concrete blocks and other materials where radon can settle. This is not a method that is relied upon as often though.

Active Soil Depressurization

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Okay, so that leaves you having to pay for the radon mitigation, right? Not necessarily. As mentioned in the intro, who pays for the radon treatment depends. In some instances, the seller may volunteer to cover the costs, since it is still technically their property until the closing is done.

In other cases, the seller might turn to you and ask you to pay the radon mitigation fees in full. More than likely, they’d offer to at least split the price.

Still, you have no idea what you’d pay for a radon mitigation. What do the costs even look like?

The Kansas State University National Radon Program Services says that a radon mitigation system may cost as little as $800 and as much as $1,500 or more.

Why the price differential? Several factors can determine what you’ll pay. The climate is one of them, as the radon mitigation team will have to use a system that accommodates for the humidity. The construction materials of the home are another factor, as is the foundation of the home, its size, and its design.

Another major factor that plays a role in cost is how hard the team will have to work to hide the components of the radon mitigation system. If it tucks in neatly without being super visible, then the job may be less expensive, but not in all cases. However, if you need a more advanced radon mitigation system, then it’s harder to obscure.

It’s recommended that you always request a quote for radon mitigation before committing to the service, says Connecticut Radon Systems . The professional who offers the quote should come to the property first. Otherwise, they can’t assess the above factors and give you a fair quote.

How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost?

Does Radon Mitigation Have Extra Costs?

You worked with the home seller, asked for a lot of quotes, and found a radon mitigation service that works for both of you. Once the work is done, you can close your purse strings, right? Not exactly.

A radon mitigation system is not a one-and-done job. About every year, maybe every two years, you’ll need your installation team to come out and service the system. The fans are typically the first component to go, but these can suck money out of your wallet in a different way as well.

The fans within the system are always on, so that means you could see an uptick in your monthly electric bills. Your cooling and heating bills may also be higher as your radon mitigation system sucks out extra cool or hot air from your home.

Does Radon Mitigation Have Extra Costs?

A radon mitigation system is a solution for keeping radon out of a home. This gas has no taste or color, but it can cause cancer if it accumulates enough.

The home seller may offer to cover the cost of mitigation, or they could split it with the byer. It may even fall on you to pay for the mitigation costs, but your homeowner’s insurance will not cover it.

While you may have to pay extra to keep your radon mitigation system in tip-top shape, staying healthy in your own home is priceless.

Conclusion

How Effective are Radon Systems at Reducing Radon Levels?

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:09:12 GMT

If you live in an area with high radon levels, you may find that you need to install a radon system to reduce the levels of radon that enter your house. Radon is a toxic, radioactive gas that can cause cancer, which is why knowing which radon mitigation system to install for the safety of your family is so important. Working with a professional radon reduction company to test for radon and help you choose a radon system, are the first steps in effectively reducing radon in your household to protect yourself and your family.

Radon systems can reduce radon in your home by 99% based upon which radon mitigation system you choose to have implemented in your household. As a leading cause of lung cancer for people who do not smoke, it is imperative to check for radon levels in your home, clear high levels out of your living areas, and make the right choice for which radon system will effectively reduce the chance of radon from entering your home.

Choosing a radon mitigation system to reduce radon in your home for the purpose of protecting you and the health of your loved ones can seem like a daunting task, but the best way to simplify the process of choosing the right system lies with choosing a professional company that specializes in radon reduction. Knowledge is power and gaining a better understanding of how radon levels can be significantly reduced in your home, will help you make an informed decision for radon mitigation and radon system installation for your home.

Read on to learn more about how radon mitigation systems can help to reduce radon levels in your home by 99%. Empower yourself with the knowledge provided below, so you can better protect your family and loved ones from radon toxins that may cause harm to your health and to others.

For simple purposes, radon can be described as a type of radioactive gas that is tasteless, odorless, and cannot be seen by the human eye. As a naturally occurring gas, the chemical radon happens due to the natural breakdown of uranium from the earth; radon is oftentimes found in air, water, soil, and rocks. Radon can easily penetrate common areas in your home and work environments, because it is a single atomic gas.

Most often radon enters your home after it is released from the ground, soil, or water nearby or under your home. Think of your home as a vacuum - when radon releases from the earth it has a higher pressure than the pressure found inside of your home, which leads to your home vacuuming the gas into it through your foundation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon gas in soils is most often the cause of high radon levels in your home and throughout the United States. Radon can also be found in well water and can release when you use that same water for household uses, but this is a very rare occurrence. Typically, most radon enters your house because of the gas in soil that then seeps up into your home, through the foundation. If you worry about how radon is entering your home, a professional radon company can test and diagnose this for you, while providing a solution to getting rid of the radon and keeping it out!

What is Radon and How Does it Enter My Home?

How Do Radon Systems Get Rid of the Radon in My Home?

In order to rid your home of radon, the first step is to have your home tested for the toxic chemical. During the testing process, a radon testing company will analyze how the radon is entering your home and where the buildup is occurring. Once your radon test is complete, radon mitigation system professionals will determine what type of radon mitigation system you will need to install, in order to emit the gasses from your home.

To reduce the radon levels within your home, the EPA suggests working with a radon contractor for proper radon mitigation. Radon contractors will install equipment within your home that help to release the poisonous gases from the interior of your home outward. Radon systems use the following techniques to release radon from your home:

Active Soil Depressurization - Slab:

This method requires installing a pipe into a portion of the slab of your home that goes up to your roofline. A fan is then used to extract radon from the soil and push it out through the pipe, above your roofline.

Crawlspace Sub-Membrane Depressurization:

This type of system lowers the air pressure that is present in the crawlspace of your home. The air pressure is lowered until it matches the indoor pressure of your home and then a fan is used to draw air out of the crawlspace, rather than it entering your living space.

Understanding Radon Mitigation and Radon Systems to Protect Your Home Effectively

With radon mitigation systems providing a reduction in the toxic chemical by up to 99% and radon being a cancer-causing gas - there is no question in what to do if you find that your home tests positive for high levels of radon. Mitigation and a radon system must be installed to protect you and your family.

A professional radon contractor understands how radon works, what maintenance on your radon mitigation system is required, and has expert knowledge in how to reduce radon levels to meet EPA safety measurements.

It is always better to be safe than sorry, which is why radon testing should be performed in areas that have been marked for high radon levels. Installing a radon system that effectively reduces your home’s radon levels by 99% is an investment in your home and your health.

This is an exterior system that fits on to the outside of your home. A vent is connected to a fan and placed at ground level and exhausts radon gases up through the roof.

Active Soil Depressurization - Exterior Installation:

One of the most popular forms of radon mitigation , this system is composed of a pipe that goes from the basement to the attic. A fan helps to exhaust gases through the interior pipes to the roof for release.

A radon contractor in your local area will be able to help you decide which radon mitigation system will be the best strategy for getting radon out of your home, to protect your family. Visit Radon Systems of Connecticut to learn more about the different types of radon mitigation and how they work.

Active Soil Depressurization - Interior Installation:

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/hmbuygud.pdf

Do Radon Mitigation Systems Require Maintenance?

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:47:05 GMT

Homeowners living within areas containing radon, oftentimes ask what the maintenance requirements are for their radon mitigation system . Concerns with maintaining your radon mitigation system are understandably high on the list of priorities when it comes to protecting yourself, your family and your time!

Fortunately, a properly installed radon mitigation system only requires occasional maintenance and can become a part of your home maintenance schedule easily, by checking your system’s warning device regularly, ensuring that your fan is properly running and testing your home every few years to make sure radon levels are kept at bay.

Similar to a furnace, chimney or other continuously used items in your home, radon mitigation systems are self-sufficient on their own accord for the most part, but do need the occasional check-in and tune-up. The average radon mitigation system utilizes fans to prevent radon gas from rising into your home from the foundation below. The fan pulls radon from beneath your home and pumps it through a pipe that runs to the outside of your home. Radon mitigation fans are one of the most important aspects of your radon mitigation system because their power and continuous work are what discharge radon from entering your house. Since radon fans are constantly running, fan upkeep and maintenance are necessary, but many fans come with a warranty that will cover repairs and replacement for up to five years.

A properly installed radon mitigation system will have a warning device that serves to notify homeowners if any radon mitigation system failure occurs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that these devices be installed with all approved radon mitigation systems, so it is important for you to check to make sure that your home has this warning device installed for legitimacy purposes. You can check the functionality of your radon warning device in a few simple steps. These steps should become a part of your regular check-up and maintenance routine. Checking your warning device once every one to three months to make sure it is properly working, takes only a bit of scheduling time on your part and is a rather simple and straightforward process.

The two most important maintenance strategies for your in-home radon mitigation systems involve the radon fan and your radon warning device; both rely upon the other and usually require only occasional check-ins to ensure proper functionality. Maintaining your radon mitigation system does not have to be a hassle. You can rest easy by following a few key pointers and tips from the pros, to ensure your system is properly running to keep your home free of radon and your family safe.

If your home has a radon mitigation system or you plan on having one installed (professional contractor installation suggested), there are several pro-tips for maintaining your system to ensure you receive all the benefits from a well-tuned and properly functioning system that will save you time, money and your health for years to come. You can’t put a price on your health and the safety of your home is a top priority, so following a few steps to ensure the functionality of your radon mitigation system is a no-brainer. Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional to check up on whether your system is working properly. There are several DIY radon system maintenance tips that you can implement into your monthly schedule.

As previously mentioned, two of the most important steps in radon mitigation system maintenance are ensuring that your warning device and fans, as part of your radon system, are properly functioning. In addition to checking in on these systems occasionally, maintenance on your radon mitigation system should include annual or bi-annual inspections by a qualified professional.

Pro-Tips for Radon Mitigation System Maintenance

Checking Your Radon Warning Device

The EPA requires that homes with a radon mitigation system must include a radon warning device in order to be considered legitimate. A radon warning device is installed in your home to serve as a tool that will alert you if your system is not properly working. System failure alerts on your device can include, but are not limited to, sound alarms, a dial with needle display for gauging radon levels, light indicators and liquid gauges. In most residential homes, the device that measures radon levels is installed on the vent pipe that assists in exhausting radon away from your home. The warning device should be installed in a place where it is easily accessed, seen and heard by those who live in the home.

A licensed contractor can assist you in understanding how your warning device works. The warning device should be checked by your contractor to ensure that it is functioning properly. Once you learn how to gauge whether your warning device is properly working, you check your radon warning device on a monthly or bi-monthly schedule. If you see that the pressure is where it needs to be, you can rest assured that your system is working. If you notice that the pressure levels are off, don’t panic. This would be the time to call in a professional to check your device and system.

Ensuring Proper Performance of Your Radon Mitigation Fan

The fans that run your system are basically the backbone and heart of radon mitigation in your home. Radon mitigation system fans are constantly running to ensure that your home stays safe. Due to its constant work, fans may need to be replaced after five years or more, but it is a simple process for an experienced radon contractor. Radon fans should never be installed in or below a livable area; for instance, fans can be installed in an attic, but never in a basement. Your radon warning device will alert you if radon fans are not properly functioning, so checking your warning device regularly helps you to ensure that your fans are working. It is a good idea to have your home re-tested for radon every two to three years, which will include checking your fans functionality. Other than that, minimal maintenance is required for your fans and the check-ups for your fans can be tied into checking your radon warning device.

Important Radon System Knowledge for Easier Maintenance

Maintaining your radon mitigation system is a pretty hassle-free task. Performing a check-in on your radon warning device occasionally is about as much maintenance as you need to perform, in addition to having a licensed professional come out and inspect your system annually. Not unlike your furnace or HVAC system, radon systems can run smooth and steady in your home with preventative measures like annual check-ups.

If you are buying a new home with a radon system or are having one installed, make sure that the following is present during the time of your inspection to help keep your maintenance and repair costs down:

Radon warning devices should be installed in a place that is easily seen and heard.
If your radon warning device monitor shows that the system is not properly working, call a licensed radon professional to come have it checked out.
Exhaust fans should never be located in a living area or below your home.
Radon mitigation systems should always be clearly labeled.
Have your radon system check-in performed annually by a licensed professional.
Retest your home for radon every two to three years.
Your radon fan should never be turned off. It should constantly be running in your home to ensure that the system is working properly.
After a radon system installation, a post-mitigation test for radon should be performed within 30 days of install.
Ask your installer for warranties, maintenance instructions and operating guides if available.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your radon mitigation system can be very straight-forward and simple. Preventative maintenance check-ups and proper installation goes a long way in keeping your home radon safe. Regularly check your radon warning device to ensure its performance, have your home tested for radon every two to three years and you’ll find that radon system maintenance integrates easily within your home maintenance schedule.

To begin the radon reduction process, contact us for more information about radon mitigation services .

Does Cold Weather Affect Radon Levels in the Home?

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:33:39 GMT

You might have heard of radon and just how dangerous it can be. Radon is something to be concerned about all year long, but you may want to pay special attention to this potential issue during the winter months. This guide will help you understand a little more about how radon can impact you and your family during the winter and what you can do about it.

Radon levels can fluctuate in the home during different times of the year. You may find that radon levels are highest in your home during the winter months. These are some of the reasons that this is true:

Ventilation helps with reducing radon levels in the home. If you keep your windows open during the summer to allow a nice breeze to flow into your home, you could be mitigating radon levels without even realizing it. During the winter, though, many homeowners keep their windows closed because of the cold temperatures, which can cause radon levels to rise.
During the winter months, your area might be affected by a lot of rain, snow and ice. All of this added moisture can saturate and even freeze the soil. If this happens, radon cannot naturally flow into the atmosphere. The radon can then be redirected into your home in higher concentrations than usual.
Warm air can escape from your home during the winter through cracks and imperfections in the home. A stack effect can occur, allowing radon into your home. This can be a particularly common issue during the winter, when you are running your home heating system.

Because of these factors, there is a possibility that radon could be an issue in your home during the winter, even if you have never had to worry about dangerous levels of radon in the past.

How Cold Weather Can Affect Radon Levels in the Home

Why You Should Perform a Radon Check During the Winter

Radon testing should be done in the home twice a year. If you have not had your home tested for radon lately, now is the time to do it. Although you can test your home’s radon levels at any time during the year, you will probably want to perform at least one of your twice-a-year tests during the winter months.

You can purchase an at-home test and perform radon testing on your own. Make sure that you buy a reliable test from a reputable supplier. Follow the instructions on the test carefully for accurate results. You can make things easier for yourself and can ensure that you get accurate results by opting for professional radon testing . Plus, if your test shows that the radon levels in your home are dangerous, the same professional who performs your testing can talk to you about your mitigation options.

How to Protect Your Home and Family from Radon

Of course, it is important to do what you can to protect your family from the dangers of radon during the winter and all year long. These are a few effective steps that can help, and a radon mitigation professional can talk to you about options that are tailored for your family and home.

Seal up your home. Radon can enter your home through cracks and holes around your foundation. One good trick is to seal up these cracks with caulk and other similar products. This is probably something that you can do yourself on a weekend afternoon, or you can hire a handyman to help you. Along with helping to prevent radon in the home this winter, this can also help you heat your home more efficiently and effectively. It’s a cheap fix that can help you lower your heating bills and protect your home from moisture-related damage, all while helping prevent a radon issue.
Think about radon when building your home. If you are in the process of building a home, think about the dangers of radon. You will probably find that it is significantly cheaper and easier to install a radon mitigation system during the building process rather than later. If you have not already talked to your building contractor about the dangers of radon and the systems that can help you mitigate it, you should do so as soon as possible.
Use your ceiling fans. You might typically think about using your ceiling fans during the summer months, when the air can help you avoid running your air conditioner and help keep your family cool. However, adding ventilation to your home can help as a temporary radon mitigation option. During the winter, make sure that your ceiling fans are set to turn clockwise. Along with helping with radon levels in the home, this can help you circulate warm air better in your home, which can actually help your heating system work more effectively.
Avoid smoking in your home. If you are a smoker, you might find yourself tempted to light up in the house. This can be particularly tempting when temperatures are below freezing outside. However, smoking in the home can actually cause an increased risk of lung cancer if there is also any level of radon in the home. It is always best to smoke outdoors or to abstain from smoking completely.
Install a radon mitigation system. If your home does not already have a radon mitigation system, you’ll be happy to know that there are various radon mitigation options for you to consider. An interior system, which consists of a pipe that will run from your garage or basement to a radon fan that will be installed in your attic, is a popular choice. There are also exterior options that you can look into.

Radon is a serious concern, particularly during the winter months, so being proactive is essential. At Radon Systems of Connecticut , we are committed to helping homeowners keep themselves and their families safe from the dangers of radon. Contact us today for professional radon testing or to learn more about radon mitigation systems .

Can I Put in My Own Radon System in New Haven, CT?

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:00:46 GMT

Radon is a radioactive gas formed when certain radioactive elements, like uranium, break down. It’s a colorless and odorless gas, so it’s impossible for you to detect without special tools designed for that purpose. Because uranium can be found in rocks and soil, radon gas can be found almost anywhere. Uranium in the soil or rocks in the area begin to break down and emit radon gas into the air, and that gas can end up in your home. Breathing radon has a harmful impact on your lungs, and prolonged exposure can lead to lung cancer. Smokers and people whose lungs are already damaged from smoke are at particular risk if they are also exposed to radon. It just makes sense to keep radon out of your home. If tests reveal that there is radon in your home, there are systems that can be put in place in order to mitigate the radon levels. But is it a good idea to install your own radon mitigation system in your New Haven home? Find out what you need to know about DIY radon systems.

One important reason to avoid DIY radon systems is that you may want to sell your home one day. It’s not uncommon for radon testing to be part of a real estate transaction, and any radon mitigation system that you have installed will likely need to be disclosed to potential buyers.

If a certified radon system installer installs a radon system in your home, that may have a positive effect on your home’s value. But in the case of a DIY installation, the buyer has no way of knowing if the system is safe or even effective. It’s important to note that according to the EPA, even if radon is within acceptable levels (below 4pCi/L) any radon present still poses some risk. So even if your DIY system reduces the home’s radon level to an acceptable level, a buyer could reason that a system installed by a certified installer could possibly have lowered the levels further or eliminated the radon in the home entirely. Given the choice between a home with a DIY radon mitigation system and a system installed by certified professionals, a buyer is likely to feel that the home with the professionally installed radon mitigation system is the safer choice. There’s just no way to know whether a DIY system is as effective as it could be. So, if you want to preserve your home’s value, a professionally installed system is your best bet.

Radon Testing and Real Estate

DIY Installation Mistakes Can be Expensive

Another thing to consider is whether a DIY radon system will do the job that you need it to do. When you hire a certified radon system installer , they’ll take the time to determine which type of radon system might be best for your home and where it needs to be installed in order to be most effective. While you may be able to buy the equipment and install the system yourself, it’s much more difficult for you to determine where the radon mitigation system will be most effective – or even which system will work best for your home.

So, consider what would happen if you installed your own radon mitigation system and found that it didn’t bring your home’s radon levels down. Not only did you take on the expense and time of buying equipment and installing the system, but you’ll also need to pay to have it removed and a new system installed in its place. This can get expensive quickly.

On the other hand, if you have a professional install your home’s radon mitigation system and testing shows that the system isn’t working correctly, you can most likely have the same service make changes or adjustments at little or no additional cost. Check with local certified radon system installers to find out what guarantees they can offer for their services and equipment – most likely, a certified installer will stand behind their work.

It’s important to note that even when radon mitigation systems are working properly, they require periodic maintenance. It’s unlikely that a certified radon system installer will provide maintenance for a DIY radon mitigation system , so if you install a system yourself, you’ll also need to keep up with the maintenance to make sure the system continues to work correctly. This is an extra level of home maintenance that you may not be interested in taking on or prepared to take on. When you have a professional radon system installer install your radon mitigation system , you’ll also be able to call on that service to perform regular maintenance tasks, taking that chore off of your plate.

Your Family’s Health Comes First

Not only could installing your own radon system get expensive if it doesn’t work the first time, a mistake or miscalculation on your part means even more time that your family will spend breathing in potentially lung damaging radon gas. Chances are, even your first attempt at installing a radon mitigation system on your own will take longer than it would for a certified installer to install their system, and that means more exposure.

Why take the risk? The sooner your radon system is installed and tested for efficacy, the sooner you know that your family is breathing clean, safe air. Your health and your family’s health should be your first consideration. When their health is at stake, you shouldn’t waste time. Choosing a certified New Haven radon mitigation company to install your radon system is usually the fastest way to ensure that your family is breathing safer air.

Some DIY home improvement projects can be fun for homeowners and a great way to save money, but it’s important to know where to draw the line. When it comes to your family’s health and safety, it’s best to leave the work to the professionals at Radon Systems of Connecticut . You’ll save time, money, and aggravation by hiring certified radon system installers . But more importantly, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you’ve chosen the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Is Radon Really That Dangerous?

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:50:26 GMT

You may have heard of radon testing and radon mitigation , but you might not really understand what radon is and why you should be concerned about it. Because of the dangers of radon , it is important to understand how it can impact you and what you can do to protect your family.

Radon is a dangerous gas. It is odorless and colorless, which makes it even more dangerous. After all, there is a chance that radon is a problem in your home without you even knowing it. Radon is actually in the atmosphere, although only in trace amounts. Because it disperses quickly outside, it’s not typically dangerous. However, it can be trapped inside your home, which is when it poses a danger for you and the others in your household.

What is Radon?

Is Radon Really That Dangerous?

Since radon occurs naturally in the atmosphere, you might not see how it can really be dangerous. When it’s found indoors, though, it can be incredibly dangerous for the people who live, work and play in the structure. This is because it can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer. You might be surprised to learn that radon is the second leading cause (after smoking) of lung cancer in the United States. A whopping 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer.

What Causes Radon to Be Present in Your Home?

Radon can seep into your home through cracks and holes in your foundation. If you have a water well, be aware that well water is a common cause of radon in the home. If your well water is contaminated, radon can be released into the air when you use water for cooking or showering. Occasionally, radon can also be released into the home from building materials.

Although insulating your home is generally a good idea for energy efficiency and comfort, well-insulated homes are more prone to having dangerous radon levels. This is because radon can become trapped in a well-insulated home and does not have much of a chance of escaping.

How Can You Tell if Radon is a Problem in Your Home?

Approximately one in 15 homes in the United States have dangerous radon levels. There is a possibility that your family is being exposed to radon every day without you even realizing it. The only way that you can tell if radon is a problem in your home is with radon testing . You have two options for this.

Your first option is to perform a radon test yourself. Home radon test kits can be purchased at home improvement stores and hardware stores. It is very important to follow the instructions for the text exactly if you want to get accurate results. Typically, you will be required to keep doors and windows closed for a 12-hour period. The radon detector will need to be left in the lowest point of your home, and you’ll need to leave it undisturbed for a certain period of time. Then, you can send it off to a lab so that it can be tested.

If you want to ensure that the test is performed properly, you can also opt for professional radon testing from a company like Radon Systems of Connecticut. Then, you can ensure that the test is done properly, and you can get professional guidance about which steps you should take next.

Additionally, if you are purchasing a home, it’s wise to have professional radon testing done before you buy. The seller might cover the cost of testing, but if not, you’re sure to find that the cost is worth it. After all, the last thing that you want to do when buying and moving into a new home is to accidentally put your family in danger.

What Should You Do if Your Family Has Been Exposed to Radon?

If you find that your home has dangerous levels of radon, it is important to act quickly. If you smoke and have been exposed to radon, then your risks of contracting lung cancer are much higher. Quit smoking right away to help reduce your risk, and do not allow others to smoke inside your home.

Additionally, watch out for signs of lung cancer. If you or any of your family members have a chronic cough, a cough that produces blood, shortness of breath or other symptoms, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment right away. The sooner that lung cancer is treated, the better chance there is of successful treatment. Keep in mind that lung cancer is a long-term effect of radon exposure, and it can develop many years later.

What are Your Options for Radon Mitigation?

When you have radon testing done in your home, you can find out about the exact radon levels that are present. It is very important to take action if radon levels of 4 pCi/Lare found in your home. However, even lower levels of radon can put your family at risk.

You have a few different options for radon mitigation . Active soil depressurization can be done in a few different ways. An interior system, which is the most popular option, involves running a pipe from the basement of your home to a radon fan that will be installed in the attic. The pipe is typically installed in closets so that it is not an eyesore and so that it is not in the way. The fan serves as an exhaust fan to push the radon out of your home.

An exterior system works similarly, but the pipe will actually be installed on the outside of your home. This will be more obvious, but the pipe can be painted so that it will blend in with your home.

Other options include a pipe that is installed in a section of the slab in your home or a system that lowers the air pressure in the crawl space of your home. A professional can talk to you about these different options and can help you choose the one that will be most effective and that will best suit your budget.

It is important to understand what radon is and how it can impact you and your family. If you want to learn more about the dangers of radon, if you’d like to have professional radon testing done in your home or if you are ready to install a radon mitigation system, contact Radon Systems of Connecticut today.

How Much Does a Radon Mitigation Company Cost?

Fri, 08 May 2026 19:34:51 GMT

If there is radon present in your home, you might be prepared to call a radon mitigation company . Before you do, though, you might be curious about how much you’re going to have to pay for radon mitigation for your Connecticut home. This guide can help you learn a little more about the costs and benefits of radon mitigation systems so that you’ll know what to expect and so that you can prepare for the installation of your system.

If you have not had your home checked for radon, then you will probably want to have this done before you opt to install a radon mitigation system . There are do-it-yourself kits that you can use yourself. You can purchase these from most home improvement stores, but you may find that opting for a professional radon test is the better decision.

A professional radon testing and mitigation company will have the best equipment and the know-how to test your air and soil for radon. Typically, radon mitigation companies do not charge a lot for their testing services. For many homeowners, it’s worth the modest cost for professional testing so that they will know that the results are accurate.

How Much Does Radon Testing Cost?

How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost?

The best way to get an accurate quote for radon mitigation for your home is to have a professional come out and give you a quote. After all, there are various factors that go into the cost of a radon mitigation system , so the price that you will pay may be different from what a friend or neighbor paid.

Of course, being aware of some of the things that are taken into consideration for quotes for these systems is helpful. For example, the size and layout of your home will have a big impact on cost. Obviously, your mitigation system may be more expensive for a larger home that it would be for a smaller house. If the layout of your home makes it more difficult to install the right pipes for your system, then this is going to impact the price of your system, too.

Additionally, the type of foundation that your home has will also have an impact, and the construction materials that were used to build your home can affect your quote, too.

One major contributing factor to the cost of a radon mitigation system is the work that will have to be done to conceal the system’s components and to maintain your home’s aesthetic value. An exterior system may be cheaper and may work well at mitigating radon, but it might have more of an impact on your home’s appearance than a more expensive system that runs through a closet in your home.

If you have concerns about costs, let the professional who comes to your home know. He or she can help you explore your options and their prices and can help you stick within your budget while preserving the aesthetics of your home as much as possible.

Are There Extra Costs You Should Know About?

In addition to paying for your radon mitigation system to be installed, there are additional costs that you may not have thought about. For example, the fan component of your radon mitigation system will have to run all the time for your system to do its job. This can contribute to your electric bills, but the cost should not be too significant. Looking for other ways to conserve energy in your home can help you mitigate the added cost that goes along with operating your radon mitigation system .

Your radon mitigation system can also pull warm or cool air out of your home. Because of this, you could be concerned about your home heating and cooling bills going up. If proper sealing work is done during or after the installation of your system, though, you can help minimize this problem.

Naturally, as with any other component of your home, maintenance is required. Luckily, though, radon mitigation systems typically do not require much maintenance. If the right system is installed and if the installation is done properly, then you should have few problems. You may have problems at some point, such as issues with your fan. Luckily, these fans do typically come with a warranty.

Generally, the ownership costs for these systems are not significant. Plus, you cannot put a price on keeping you and your family safe from the dangers of radon . However, being aware of these costs now can help you avoid surprises later.

Why Radon Mitigation is Worth the Cost

Despite the cost of installing a system, you’ll probably find that radon mitigation is well worth the cost for these key reasons:

It’ll help you keep you and your family safe. After all, radon exposure can cause serious health issues, such as lung cancer. Many people do not realize that they have been affected by radon until it is too late, so focusing on protecting yourself and your loved ones now is important. This is particularly true if you have higher levels of radon in your home or if you are a smoker.
Installing a radon mitigation system will provide you with peace of mind. After all, you might spend a lot of time worrying about you and your family and how you might be impacted by radon, and having the right system installed can help you get rid of these fears.
If you put your home up for sale later, the radon mitigation system can serve as a great selling point and could even help you get higher offers for your home.

Cost is obviously a concern for many people when it comes to making improvements to their homes. If you are thinking about installing a radon mitigation system in your home, you might be concerned about how it will affect your budget. Luckily, there are options that will not break the bank. Contact us at Radon Systems of Connecticut for more information or to schedule a radon test or a radon mitigation system consultation.

The Different Types of Radon Mitigation and How They Work

Fri, 08 May 2026 19:11:16 GMT

Whether you live in Hartford, New Haven, or anywhere else across Connecticut, you might be concerned about radon. Radon gas is a carcinogen that puts you and your family at risk of lung cancer if it’s present inside your home. If you have had radon testing performed in your home and have found that radon is present, it’s critical to get started with radon mitigation right away. There are a few different methods that are commonly used for radon mitigation. Learn a little more about them so that you’ll know how our radon mitigation team can help reduce the levels of radon in your home.

Since this is the most popular form of radon mitigation, it might just be the mitigation option that is used for your home. This is a popular option for a few reasons; it’s effective in most homes, and it doesn’t involve installing pipes outdoors. Since you might not like the look of pipes on the exterior of your home or since you might be concerned about them being damaged by the weather, an interior system might be most appealing to you.

Before you can understand how an active soil depressurization system works, you must first understand why radon is such a common household problem. Buildings -- such as your home -- create negative pressure that can draw radon gas inside. With the right radon mitigation system, air can be drawn in from underneath the home and can then be released above the roof.

Typically, pipes will be installed in either your basement or your garage. These pipes will run through the closets throughout your home so that they are out of the way, and they will lead to a fan that is installed in your attic. The rooftop fan is similar in appearance to a plumbing stack and shouldn’t impact your home’s curb appeal too much.

Since radon gas will be drawn out with this system and released above your home, the radon will be expelled outside of the home rather than within it. This will help reduce the current radon levels within your home, instantly making it safer for you and your family. Plus, in the future, you should not have to worry about the radon entering your home, as long as the system is properly installed and maintained.

With this type of system, a system monitor will be put in place near the vent line in either your basement or one of your household closets. This system monitor will allow you to keep an eye on the system to make sure that it’s functioning properly.

Active Soil Depressurization (Interior)

Active Soil Depressurization (Exterior)

A similar type of system as the one listed above can also be installed outside of your home rather than inside of it. The pipes will be installed on the outside foundation of your house. Then, a fan will be installed at ground level so that it can push the radon gas from the foundation area of your home through the pipes.

Again, as with a unit that is installed inside of your home, the goal of this type of system is to release the radon gas at the roof level.

With exterior active soil depressurization, you do not have to worry about having pipes running through the closets inside your home. If you’re worried about how this might impact your home’s curb appeal, you can ask to have the pipes installed along a certain area of your home, where they will not be as visible. Many people choose to paint these pipes, too, so that they can blend in with their homes or complement them.

These systems are not quite as popular as interior systems, but there are some situations when they are best. In some cases, for example, an interior system simply will not work because of the layout of the home. If this system is installed, then the system monitor will be placed at the lowest level of the building.

Active Soil Depressurization (Slab)

If your home has a slab foundation, this might be the radon mitigation option that is used. Somewhere in the slab of your home, a hole that is about four to six inches in size will be drilled into the slab. After that hole has been cleaned out, a PVC pipe will be installed, with the end of the pipe placed in the hole. This pipe will be routed to your home’s roof line. Then, any radon gas that is removed from the slab will be directed above the top of your home. Again, you can choose to have the pipe installed in an inconspicuous place in many cases if you are worried about how your home’s curb appeal will be affected, and painting is an option as well.

Crawlspace Sub-Membrane Depressurization

Although active soil depressurization is a very popular and effective radon mitigation option that is done in multiple ways, it’s not the only method. Another method that is used is crawlspace sub-membrane depressurization.

Because it is pressure that causes radon gas to find its way into your home, reducing air pressure can help prevent radon from being a problem, too. This is the goal of this form of radon mitigation .

The air pressure in the crawlspace area underneath your home is lowered with the use of a fan. This fan will draw the air up from your crawlspace area. Then, the air is drawn through an attached PVC pipe and routed to the roofing system of your home.

If radon is a concern within your home, then taking radon mitigation steps is very important. Of course, the right radon mitigation step is going to depend on your home and its individual challenges. The layout of your home will be taken into consideration, for example, as well as the type of foundation that is in place. Contact Radon Systems of Connecticut today, and we’ll talk to you more about getting your home tested and the different types of radon mitigation systems that we install. Then we can help you pick a system and method that will be right for your home.

What Homeowners Need to Know About Radon Mitigation

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:58:44 GMT

You might have recently heard about someone whose home had high levels of radon, or you might have read about home radon issues online. Having radon in the home isn’t something that a lot of homeowners think about, but it’s an issue that you should be aware of, particularly in Connecticut, where the risk of having radon in the home is high. These are some of the main things that you should know about the presence of radon and the process of radon mitigation if you are a homeowner.

If you have never noticed any strange odors in your home, if you live in a newer home, or if you’ve never noticed any clues of radon presence, then you might not think that you have anything to worry about. One of the most frightening things about having high levels of radon in the home, however, is that most homeowners don’t know about it at all.

Radon is odorless, and it doesn’t leave behind any visible signs of its presence. It can take a very long time for homeowners to even realize that it’s a problem and often the first sign is a health problem in a household member.

The only way that you can detect radon in your home is with radon testing . There are a couple of options for this:

If you’re nervous about the possibility of high levels of radon in your home and if you want fast, accurate results, then you may want to hire a professional radon mitigation company. These companies use either a passive or active test to detect the presence of radon. Either testing method can work, but active testing is more expensive. You must have electrical power in the home for an active test, since a monitoring device is used to monitor the presence of radon in the home. If you’re having testing done in a home that doesn’t have electrical power -- such as if it’s a home that you’re thinking about buying that has had the electricity turned off -- then a passive test is the only professional option.

Do-it-yourself testing can also be used to detect the presence of radon in the home. With a DIY test, you must use a radon testing kit, which can be purchased from a home improvement store. It’s essential to follow the directions for the test very carefully so that you will get accurate results. For example, the instructions might say to keep the doors and windows of the home closed for a certain period of time before performing the test. Once you have performed the test, you will send your sample to a lab, which will contact you with your results. This type of test is not as accurate as the kind a professional company would use.

Radon Testing is the Only Way to Detect Radon

High Levels of Radon are Dangerous for Your Family

Did you know that radon is actually one of the leading causes of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking? It actually contributes to the death of more than 20,000 people per year. Radon poisoning is something that happens slowly in most cases, and it could be too late before you discover its devastating side effects.

Because of the dangers of radon, it is something that you should take seriously. Performing a radon test and then focusing on radon mitigation , if needed, is essential if you want to keep your family safe.

Radon is a More Common Problem Than You Might Think

Even though radon poisoning is something that a lot of people aren’t aware of, it’s a much more common problem than you might realize. There is a solid chance that your home or one of the homes in your neighborhood has a high level of radon, even if you or the homeowner don’t know it. Southern Connecticut is particularly prone to having high levels of radon, and the northern part of the state is by no means immune to the danger.

Almost one out of every 15 homes in the United States is has elevated radon levels. Although it is a more common problem in some parts of the state than others, radon is present in every part of Connecticut and every part of the country. It doesn't matter where you live or how little you might have heard about radon exposure, it’s key to have your home tested for elevated radon levels if you have not done so already.

Radon Remediation is Not Something You Should DIY

Although a professional radon test is your best bet for accurate results, there is nothing wrong with doing an at-home test, as long as you follow the directions to the letter. However, even though do-it-yourself radon testing is possible, do-it-yourself radon mitigation is something else entirely. For your safety, you need to hire a professional radon mitigation company to handle this.

First of all, you will have to determine the cause of the high levels of radon in your home. For someone who doesn’t know much or anything about this issue, it would be nearly impossible. The elevated radon levels could be caused by cracks in your home’s foundation, for example, or it could be caused by your family’s use of well water. Natural stone -- such as granite -- can even cause high levels of radon when used in your home.

If you hire a professional for radon mitigation , they will determine the cause of the elevated radon levels in your home. The professional will focus on eliminating causes of radon in your home -- such as by sealing up cracks in your foundation -- and will also install a radon mitigation system. There are several types of mitigation systems available, and your radon specialist will go over the options with you.

Follow-Up Radon Tests Are a Necessity

Once radon mitigation steps have been taken in your home, you might not think that you have anything to worry about. However, it is never a good idea to take your chances once you know that high levels of radon have been a problem in your home.

The best thing that you can do to protect yourself and your family is to do another radon test of your home after the radon mitigation has been completed. This way, you can make sure that the radon levels in your home are at a safe level. Performing additional testing every few years can help you make sure that your home’s radon levels do not get higher than they should be again.

As a homeowner, it is critical to be aware of the dangers of radon and about the testing and mitigation steps that can be taken in your home. Then, you can take the necessary steps to maintain a safe household for you and your family.

Radon Mitigation in Energy Efficient vs. Leaky Homes

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:48:47 GMT

In Connecticut, there are a lot of very old homes interspersed with brand new homes, as well as everything in between. While it’s not a hard and fast rule, in general, newer homes tend to be more energy-efficient than older homes. While an old house might have drafts from gaps in insulation and small cracks in the wood and foundation, a newer house is likely to have even insulation and newer, denser materials.

It’s important to understand that when it comes to radon, the gas does not discriminate. If there is a lot of radon in your area, and in Connecticut, there tend to be high levels of radon in homes, you have as much a chance of having the gas present in your new, relatively airtight home as you would in an older, drafty home. This is why it’s essential for every homeowner to have their house tested for radon and to have the radon mitigated if the levels are found to be higher than what is acceptable for good health.

Here are a few facts about radon levels:

The safest level of radon is no radon at all. Having radon in your home, like most people do, is a risk factor for lung cancer. Unfortunately, it would be virtually impossible to have levels of zero, simply because it is a gas that exists and is present in the ground.
If your home has a radon level of less than 2 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, your home is considered to have a normal level of radon and does not, in most cases, need mitigation.
If your home’s radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, radon mitigation will probably help to lower it and should be considered.
If the home’s radon level is over 4 pCi/L, prompt mitigation is necessary, because this is a health hazard. Your family’s risk of developing lung cancer can be quite high if you do not have the radon gas removed through mitigation.

When you have your home tested for radon, certain steps will need to be taken. These include keeping windows shut and limiting the number of times that doors are opened. If you have a sealed, energy-efficient house, your radon levels might be higher than someone in your neighborhood with an older home that tends to be drafty. While a drafty home can allow more radon to blow in, it also allows radon to blow out. With a better-sealed home, the radon that enters the home tends to stay there, accumulating over time. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you live in a drafty old home, you are safe from radon, because this is not necessarily the case; any home can have high readings, and Connecticut is known for being a place that tends to have a lot of radon.

So, what should you do about high radon levels in a new or old home? Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Newer homes are often built with radon mitigation systems built in. If you are living in a newer home with a radon mitigation system but you still have high levels of radon, you will need to see if the system is malfunctioning. Radon Systems of Connecticut can test, service and maintain your system for you.
If you have an older home that has previously tested at normal radon levels, be aware that air-sealing your home can raise the levels due to less air moving in and out of the home. Once your upgrades are done, have your radon level tested again; it’s possible that you will now need mitigation. (Don’t let this stop you from taking the steps to make your home more energy-efficient, by the way; adding a radon mitigation system will be less expensive in the long run than it would be to continue having an inefficient home.)
There will be a lot of considerations that the radon mitigation company will keep in mind when installing mitigation equipment in an older home. For example, we will need to know what type of fill is under your basement or slab, the square footage of your basement, and whether there are any crawl spaces. Some of this information you will already know, but if you don’t, we can find out.
If you are having a new home built in an area with high levels of radon (such as in New England, the Midwest and the northern sections of the West), it’s usually worth it to have a radon mitigation system built in. Those building homes in Connecticut can call Radon Systems of Connecticut to learn more about this.
Whether your home is new or old, drafty or air-sealed, mitigated or not, you should have radon tests run every few years to be sure that the levels have not risen. Sometimes levels do rise for no discernible reason, and since radon is such a threat, it is prudent to check periodically. The test is inexpensive and your family’s health is worth it.

If you have questions about radon mitigation in your home, no matter its age, size or efficiency, please call Radon Systems of Connecticut for more information about the various types of testing and mitigation available.

What to Do If Your Home Has High Radon Levels

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:26:24 GMT

You might have had your home tested for radon for a number of reasons, but it’s always a bit of a shock when the levels come back higher than what is deemed safe (4 pCi/L). Since radon exposure is a risk factor for developing lung cancer and is believed to cause over 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year, it’s essential that you act promptly. What you should not do is panic! High radon levels are common in Connecticut and they can be treated effectively. Here’s what you should do if you find that your home has high levels of radon.

First, if your radon level came back between 4 and 8 pCi/L, you should test again. You can choose a short-term test or a long-term test, which takes several months to complete. Radon levels can fluctuate, and it’s possible that your high test result was a fluke. Test again to be sure. You and your family will not be at any increased risk while the test takes place, whether you choose the long or short test.

Get Retested

There are several factors that go into deciding which method will be most effective, so a home visit is necessary. At Radon Systems of Connecticut , our contractors are trained in EPA's Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP). This ensures that we are able to determine which method of radon mitigation will work best.

Have Your Radon Mitigation Completed

Schedule a Consultation With a Professional Mitigation Company

Depending on your home, there are several methods that might be used to reduce your radon levels. We might install decompression equipment in a crawl space, put a fan on the exterior of your house, or utilize other methods of reducing radon levels.

Once we tell you which type of mitigation is best, we’ll schedule your mitigation for as soon as possible. In addition to installing a device for reducing radon, we’ll show you how your radon levels will be monitored from that point on. Monitoring is important, because if there is ever a problem with your home’s radon levels rising, we need to know about it promptly so it can be fixed.

If you have had a test that indicated high levels of radon, it’s essential to act quickly. Please call us right away so we can walk you through the process of having this harmful gas removed so you can keep your family safe.

Radon Testing For Your Home | What You Need To Know

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:15:06 GMT

What is Radon Testing and Should You Do It?

Radon is a fairly unknown causes of cancer in the United States, although it’s so prevalent in the middle of the United States. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that does not immediately reveal its harmful effects in the body. If you are planning on purchasing a home in the Connecticut area, make sure that you have tested it adequately before moving your family in. Use this article as a briefer to learn about Radon beforehand.

When Uranium under the earth’s crust decays naturally, radon gas is emitted. This odorless, colorless gas rises through the ground and permeates most of the environment. The radon gas, when it gets into the air, can dilute immediately. But if it seeps through the ground, into your water, or the rest of your home, the levels can build up to dangerous levels.

By inhaling the micro-particles of radon, the radioactive material will get into your lungs. This can lead into lung cancer. According to the EPA Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer , while smoking cigarettes is the first. This is why testing for Radon, and treating it are necessary to decrease your risk for lung cancer.

Radon | Rn the Noble Gas

While testing, stay away from the detector. Through the test, you actually want to keep the windows closed. Make sure that you keep your children and pets out of the area. Don’t worry, we will guide you through all the steps that you should take to ensure success. After testing is complete, we clear the home of the detectors and let you know your results. Your ideal levels are less than 4 pCi/L and anything above that mark should be mitigated immediately.

If You Do Have Radon | Mitigate Now

How to Test for Radon?

Great News! It’s not very difficult to do the proper radon test for this noble gas. With Radon Systems of Connecticut , there are several options for the different types of radon tests, which depends on your way of living. We put radon detection systems on the bottom floors of your home; and the basement if you have one in your home.

There are more than one type of radon mitigation systems that are available. Make sure that you are not being upsold over oversold. Consult with a professional on which systems that will be necessary for the levels that your home has proven.

If you are planning on buying a home, you should ask for the latest Radon tests before you plan on buying it, and if you are selling your home, getting your radon testing will help to ease the process for the buyer.

If you are in Wolcott, Connecticut area, click this link to sign up for a free consultation where we can cover all of your concerns and help you through your Radon mitigation and testing process.

Radon Connecticut Infographic

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:01:47 GMT

In this infographic below you will learn more about radon testing and radon mitigation . If you are in the Connecticut area and would like to further discuss the looming risk. Click through here to schedule a consultation with one of our professionals.

If you would like to learn more about radon check out some more articles that we have posted below.

Understanding Radon Poisoning and the Mitigation Process

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:37:57 GMT

Understanding Radon Poisoning And The Mitigation Process

Radon is one of those - can’t see, taste, or smell - deadly gases that is second to cigarettes as the leading cause of cancer. It’s not talked about as much and although radon is a natural gas that exists all over the world since the beginning of creation, it is very dangerous at certain levels.

Currently in the United States, 1 in 3 homes screened for radon tested positive according to the United State’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and between 1 / 15 and 1 / 5 homes tested are at dangerous levels.

Throughout the history of the Earth, uranium has always been found in trace elements. This element is as common in the Earth’s crust as tin, tungsten and molybdenum. Apparently 6.6 billion years ago, Uranium (named after Uranus) formed supernovas and the slow radioactive decay provides the main source of heat inside our earth.

The high-density element has been used as a counterweight for aircrafts, ballasts for ships, keels for yachts, and even radiation shielding. However, the more common use is in the military - for harnessing radioactive energy to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Now that we know why uranium is used today, let’s briefly explore how uranium turns into radon gases. Uranium is naturally radioactive in and of itself and as it decays over time, it transforms into new “daughter” elements (aka. product of decay) such as radon gases. During each decay, energy is released from the atom collectively termed “ionizing radiation” and thus, makes it radioactive.

What is Radon and Where does it come from?

For detailed information on these techniques, check out our Radon Mitigation page.

Here’s why you should care

The unique characteristic of radon is it is capable of migrating from the location of the original uranium atom into the surrounding soil gas. Today worldwide, an average of 2 radon atoms are emitted from every square centimeter of soil everywhere on Earth every second of every day.

Due to the excessive harvesting and use of Uranium, the radon levels have increased and are now affecting much of the United States - yup… another consequence thanks to military and war. Although there is definitely cause for concern, the levels appear to still be safe outdoors. The real hazard is your home indoors - as you can see from the current statistics at the top of this post.

Radon Mitigation Process

So the next logical question is… “Is my home safe from Radon poisoning? How do I find out and what do I do?” Good question. Although there are DIY kits for radon testing, it’s highly recommended to get a professional to handle something so important and sensitive. You will also want to make sure that they are certified and qualified to not only test radon levels but install the radon mitigation systems if necessary.

Mitigation techniques are divided into three groups.

Ones that reduces radon gas
Ones that reduce SLRDs (short-lived radon daughters - which are the MAIN particles responsible for health problems)
Ones that reduce DP (delta P - created due to inadvertently created pressure differences between the outdoors and indoors, including temperature differences)

However, let’s not get too scientific here. The solution is to address all openings where radon is entering your home and pulling it outside with an exhaust fan. However, to address all the areas, it’s definitely something for the professionals to do to ensure you’re covering all your tracks.

Here are the most effective techniques for radon reduction:

Active Soil Depressurization - Interior Installation
Active Soil Depressurization - Exterior Installation
Crawlspace Sub-membrane Depressurization
Active Soil Depressurization - Slab

Remember, Radon itself is NOT dangerous. Small amounts are normal and many studies show the risk of cancer is actually lower in homes with little radon than in a house with “NO” radon. However, with 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year and second to cigarettes, it can be a big deal for your long-term health.

If you’d like to check the average levels of radon in the Connecticut area, go here. http://ct-radon.info/CT_counties.html If your county’s average is greater than the national average and there’s a potential to be in the red zone, it’s highly recommended to get a test done just to be on the safe side. So if you're in the Connecticut area, we can help!

Conclusion

Do You Suspect Radon Poisoning? Here's How To Mitigate It Immediately!

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:25:07 GMT

Do You Suspect Radon Poisoning? Here's How To Mitigate It Immediately!

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States of America. If you are in mid-America you are probably already aware of the dangers of radon poisoning. With that being said, if you are already aware of radon and suspect your house to be contaminated with the poison, contact a radon mitigation service and a doctor immediately.

If you are in the Connecticut area, call us at (800) 287-2366 immediately and we can help you to clarify everything and mediate your concerns.

But if your concern isn't quite as immediate, follow along with us and we will go through what radon is, when you should get a radon mitigation system and how to detox periodically to prevent accumulation of micro-toxins.

The element radon was found by Friedrich Ernst Dorn in 1900. It was found to be a gas derived from radium during its radioactive decay.

At the time of its discovery, Radon was the heaviest known gas, determined by William Ramsay and Robert Whytlaw in London.

Firstly, What is Radon?

How Does Radon Get Into your Home?

Radon has penetrated most soils through the natural decay of uranium that we have expended throughout the years. It can get into your home through well water, but most of the time it will come through the soil and through the cracks in your floor, walls and any service pipes. Keep in mind that it is a gas with a goal to rise into the atmosphere, but your house works to trap it.

If you take your health as seriously as you should, then it's best to contact a professional to do your radon testing, especially if you already know radon is present in your area. A professional is going to test the water and soil, penetrating down to the third layer of earth in order to know for sure. With the use of the highest quality professional equipment, you can get the peace of mind you deserve.

There are short-term and long-term testing methods that you can do yourself, but we strongly recommend you don’t cut any corners with during the testing process.

The goal for your radon levels should be .4 pCi/L which is difficult but doable.

If your levels prove to be hazardous, work with a professional to get a radon mitigation system.

Testing for Radon In Your Home

Symptoms of Radon Exposure, and How to Maintain Health

Some of the common symptoms of radon exposure are as follows:

Persistent Cough
Tough time breathing
Chest Pains
Coughing Blood
Wheezing
Recurring Respiratory Infection
Other symptoms that indicate lung cancer

Even if you are doing all the proper radon mitigation and preventions that you can, it’s best to do detox’s to ensure that your biological system is flushing your toxins correctly.

Since Radon mostly affects the lungs, here is a general resource for good lung detoxes on wikihow. Of course, the body detox process is more in-depth than that and you should look into other options that are specific to your personal well-being.

All in all, radon poisoning is one of the most common dangers here in mid-America, but if you take all of the necessary precautions, you will live a great life with vital health for all.

Follow this link to set up a free consultation for radon testing and mitigation services.

How To Find The Right Radon Mitigation Service

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:59:19 GMT

How To Find The Right Radon Mitigation Service

Radon is present all around the United States of America, especially in the midwestern areas. Radon is not visible to the naked eye nor smellable by the naked nose. It seeps through the soil and get into groundwater supplies and into your home through various mechanisms.

It may have been that you just bought a new home, you may be selling a home or you just have noticed that are concerned about radon for various reason. You are going to want to find a professional radon testing and radon mitigation service. A real professional, don’t get caught up with some average Joe tester, only to find out later that you may have gotten radon poisoning and potentially lung cancer. Avoid that by using these tips to finding the right professional radon mitigation service.

You can check with the state radon office through the Department of Public Health for a list of qualified radon contractor. This agency should have a list of the radon systems and service providers who are licensed to work in your state.

Background Check

If you are in the Connecticut area, click through this link to set up a free consultation in which we can go over your radon needs.

Compare Price Quotes

Your radon contractor should be able to tell you how much it will cost to have radon testing done. If your results come back indicating your home needs radon mitigation, the company should be able to give you a price estimate.

It’s possible that the contractor may need to come back to your home to determine what type of mitigation system would be best. Be sure to let him or her know what your budget is; if you can’t afford one type of system, there might be a less expensive option.

Expect Professionalism

Your radon contractor should be exhibiting professionalism at every stage of the testing and mitigation process. Before any mitigation work is started, you should receive a contract with the details of the cost of the job, the time it will take and any details about a guarantee that the radon levels will be lowered to a certain point, if applicable.

The contractor should carry liability insurance and should guarantee that he or she is responsible for cleaning up after the remediation is done. Also, the radon service company should be responsible for any damage that occurs during the remediation work.

Once the work is done, make sure that the contractor explains how to use the system and what to do if there is a problem. Also, if there are any warranties, be sure to get these in writing.

When choosing any type of professional to work on your home, it pays to do your homework in order to be sure that you get a high-quality contractor. When it comes to choosing the best radon contractor, make sure you ask all of the questions that you need answers to and that you feel comfortable with the person or company you hire.

If your agency does not offer this service, try asking your real estate agent or someone you know who has recently bought a house. Call the contractor recommended and ask if they are certified. You can also ask if they follow American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

Your Guide to Radon: Fact vs. Fallacy

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:42:38 GMT

Your Guide to Radon: Fact vs. Fallacy

As a homeowner or as someone looking at homes that are for sale, it can often seem overwhelming when you think about all of the steps you must take to ensure that your family is safe. Houses built before 1978 should be checked for lead paint. You may worry about Chinese drywall being present in a home built in the early part of this century. Dangers like mold and mildew can wreak havoc years after its formation.

One danger that you might not have even heard of is that of radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed underground. In the air outdoors, it’s not much of a problem at all, but if it accumulates inside of your home, it can put you and your family members at risk of developing lung cancer.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to radon, radon testing, and radon mitigation. We have put together a document that highlights some of the facts about radon. You’ll learn about how you can find out if you have radon, what to do if you do, and even how you can prevent radon problems in a brand new home that you’re having built.

Should You Have Radon Testing Done In Your Home?

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:34:32 GMT

Should you have radon testing done in your home?

Radon: It’s not something you’re likely to think much about. It doesn’t have a smell, odor or taste, and you’re not going to experience any immediate health problems when you have radon in your home. If you're buying a home in Connecticut, however, it’s important that you have it tested for this potentially deadly gas.

As uranium in the earth’s crust decays, which is a natural process, radon is produced. This odorless, colorless gas rises up out of the ground. When it hits the air outside, it’s quickly diluted. If it gets into your house through small cracks in the foundation, however, it can build up to dangerous levels.

Inhaling the tiny particles of radon can introduce radioactive material into your lungs. Over time, this can cause lung cancer. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. (Smoking is the first.) If you smoke and you live in a home with radon, you’re at increased risk. Having your home tested and, if necessary, treated, for radon gas is one way to decrease your overall risk of developing lung cancer.

What Is Radon?

What If I Have Radon in My Home?

Today, there are several types of radon mitigation systems available. We’ll help you choose the one that is most appropriate for your home.

When buying a house, it’s important to have the home tested during your inspection period. If the tests come back with elevated radon levels, you can then choose not to buy the home, ask the sellers to pay for mitigation, or choose to have the mitigation done yourself after the closing.

If you are selling a home, it’s a good idea to get the testing done before putting the house on the market. Having a radon-free status can make your home more attractive to buyers. If you do find radon, putting in a mitigation system can give the buyers peace of mind.

During the testing period, you’ll need to stay away from the detector. You’ll also need to make a special effort to keep the windows and doors of your home closed while the test is being done. Children and pets should be kept out of the area. We will tell you all of the ways that you can ensure an accurate result.

Once the testing period is done, we will take back the detectors and let you know what the results are. Radon levels are tested in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Any levels over 4 pCi/L need to be mitigated, as these are excessively high levels. Levels that are less than 4 pCi/L but over 2 pCi/L are moderately high andshould be mitigated to reduce your risks.

How Can I Test for Radon?

The good news is that it’s simple to test for this gas. At Radon Systems of Connecticut, we have several options for different types of radon tests, depending on your lifestyle and how you use your home. We’ll place radon detectors on the lower floors of your home; if you use your basement as living space, we will test there, too.

Keep yourself and your family healthy. Call Radon Systems of Connecticut to find out more about radon testing and mitigation. Your health and safety is worth it!