Radon—an odorless, colorless gas that occurs naturally in the soil—is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the US. If your home tests reveal dangerous levels of this common carcinogen, radon mitigation can keep your family safe. However, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of radon building up in your house.

How to Control Radon Levels in Your Home

1. Install Testing Equipment

Radon tests measure the ambient levels of the gas, helping you decide which measures to take. Long-term radon detectors measure the daily fluctuations of radon levels in your home over a few months. 

This information can help you decide whether you need professional radon mitigation services. The EPA recommends that levels should be below 4.0 pCi/L, although 2.0 is ideal.

2. Install Ventilation

Adequate ventilation in the basement or lowest levels of your home lowers the concentration of dangerous gases. Opening windows in your basement to create a cross-breeze may be enough to dissipate radon before levels start to increase. If concentrations are close to or above 4.0 pCi/L, you may need to speak with a contractor about installing fans and ducts to vent radon out through your roof.

3. Seal Basement Cracks

Radon rises from the soil into basements, crawlspaces, and ground-floor living areas. Having a watertight basement can keep these gases from infiltrating your home and force it to vent outdoors. Having a contractor seal the cracks in your basement concrete with epoxy sealant will make it harder for the gas to enter.

4. Avoid Depressurizing Your Home

Exhaust fans, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves send air out of your home, resulting in lower pressure than the atmosphere outside. If the air pressure inside the soil is greater than the pressure in your house, the atmosphere will draw radon into the home. 

Avoid using any fixtures or appliances that can change the air pressure inside your house. If you need to use them, open all the windows near the device or install a system that draws in air from the outside.

If you need radon mitigation for your home, the experts at Big Mountain Insulators have helped northwest Montana homeowners keep their families safe since 1978. Their specialists are certified by the EPA to conduct tests and provide the most advanced solutions on the market. Visit their website for more on their radon mitigation services, or call (406) 862-5446 to schedule a test today.