Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas produced in the earth’s soil. As uranium breaks down deep underground, it releases radon, which can escape from the ground and into the air. Radon is odorless, invisible, and undetectable without the assistance of radon testing. Since radon can cause serious health problems and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, it’s important to regularly get your home tested for high levels of radon.
We recommend getting radon testing performed in your home every two years. Since radon comes from the soil, any home can be susceptible to it. Radon levels can also spike, which is why regular testing is recommended. Checking your home every two years is a good baseline, but there are other times when additional radon testing is wise, including:
- Moving into a new home. Regardless of the home’s age, it’s a good idea to fold radon testing into the home inspection. That way, you’ll know upfront if you need to prioritize radon remediation.
- After a big renovation project. Additions or renovations to your home can impact radon levels. Anytime your home’s foundation or ventilation is altered, its susceptibility to radon also alters. This is due to changes in how radon can infiltrate into your home. Radon testing after a renovation can help you monitor the impact of your project.
- If you are spending more time in your basement. Because radon comes from the ground, the lower levels of your home are more susceptible to radon. If you convert your basement to a living space or find yourself spending much more time than you used to in the lower levels of your home, get radon testing to assess your risk factors. However, please note that radon travels to all levels of a home, so you can have high concentrations on any level.