Radon Testing & Mitigation

Radon Mitigation

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that develops from decaying uranium in the soil or groundwater. It’s present in most homes, and long-term exposure can lead to health problems, including respiratory issues and lung cancer. However, testing your home’s radon levels and employing strategies to mitigate the amount is possible, and Gerard Home Inspection has the equipment and experience to do it.

How is Radon Testing Performed?

Before your radon test begins, you should shut your windows and doors for at least 12 hours to allow for a proper control amount. A test container with activated charcoal is placed on the lowest living floor, usually the first floor, but it can include finished basements if your family spends a lot of time there. The radon test remains in the home for 48 hours. The charcoal absorbs radon gas and is sent to a lab for measurement. During radon testing, don’t open your windows and limit the opening of doors that lead to the outdoors.

A person is holding a radon testing device on a tripod.
An empty basement with a staircase and a window.

What is an Acceptable Indoor Radon Level?

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). An average outdoor radon level is 0.4 pCi/L, and the ideal radon level in a home is less than 2.7 pCi/L. Homes with levels between 2.7 pCi/L and 4.0 pCi/L should consider mitigation, especially those closer to 4.0 pCi/L. A radon level higher than 4.0 pCi/L is hazardous to your health and must be mitigated.

Does Every Home Need a Radon Inspection?

We recommend a radon inspection for every home because the dangerous gas is present at various levels in nearly every structure. It enters houses through small cracks or gaps in the foundation and well water. If your home has a safe level, we suggest retesting every two to three years or following an earthquake or remodeling project.

The Impact of Radon on Your Health

When radon decays, it turns into radioactive particles that can damage your lungs when you inhale it. The microbursts of radioactive energy damage lung tissue and can contribute to breathing problems and lung cancer. Radon exposure damages your health over time, so it can take years for you to notice adverse effects. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who don’t smoke. That’s why radon testing and radon mitigation systems are essential.

Common Radon Mitigation Systems

Active sub-slab depressurization (ASD) is the most popular and reliable radon mitigation system for homes with high radon levels. We place pipes through the floor slab into the soil underground and use a fan to create negative pressure that pulls radon to the outside before it enters your house.

 

Crawlspace sub-membrane depressurization covers the floor of a crawlspace foundation with a durable plastic sheet. A fan below the membrane creates negative pressure that pulls the gas through a pipe and releases it outdoors. This is the most effective radon mitigation system for crawl spaces with exposed soil.

 

The drain tile suction system is a viable radon mitigation option for homes with a sump pump and drain tile system. The process is similar to ASD, but instead of drilling a hole through the floor slab, radon is drawn through the existing drainage infrastructure to be dispersed outside. You should schedule follow-up radon testing within a few months of the installation of the radon mitigation system.

A white radon mitigation system is attached to the side of a house

Radon FAQs

  • What is radon, and why should I test for it?

    Radon is a harmful gas that is present in most homes. Radon testing ensures the health and safety of your family. 

  • What is radon mitigation?

    Radon mitigation reduces radon levels in your home with systems that continuously vent the gas to the outdoors. 

  • When is the best time for radon testing?

    The colder months are ideal for radon testing because when the air inside your home is warmer than outside, the escaping warm air is replaced with radon from below your home. Test results from warmer months may be inaccurate because open windows and fans will reduce radon levels. 

Contact Us for Radon Testing Near Northern Kentucky

Gerard Home Inspection has been part of the community since 2009. We are passionate about providing exceptional service, transparent business practices, and giving back to the community we love. We use the latest technology to deliver accurate, useful information that we personalize to meet your needs.

 

Gerard Home Inspection proudly serves Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, OH, and Southeast Indiana. Call us today at (859) 878-7768 in Northern Kentucky or (513) 387-9173 in Cincinnati to schedule an inspection or with your radon mitigation questions.

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