Most people don’t think about radon until they hear it could be a problem in their home. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste it, radon often goes unnoticed—but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. This naturally occurring gas can build up inside your home, and long-term exposure can be dangerous. Testing for radon in the home is simple; if levels are high, there are effective ways to reduce them.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It seeps up through the ground and can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and even well water. Since it’s colorless and odorless, you won’t know it’s there without testing. Long-term exposure to high radon levels is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. That’s why it’s important to understand how to detect and mitigate it.
How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
Most radon exposure happens indoors because it gets trapped inside buildings, particularly homes with poor ventilation. Basements and crawl spaces are common entry points since they’re closest to the ground. If your home is well-sealed, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels without you realizing it. Even new homes aren’t immune—energy-efficient construction can sometimes make the problem worse by keeping radon from escaping.
How Do You Test for Radon in the Home?
Testing for it is the only way to know if you have a problem. Home test kits are affordable and easy to use. You simply place the kit in the lowest livable level of your home and follow the instructions. After a set period, you send it to a lab for analysis. If you prefer, you can hire a professional to conduct the test for more precise results. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing at least every two years, as levels can fluctuate over time.
What Can You Do If You Have High Levels of Radon in the Home?
If your test results show high radon levels, don’t panic. There are effective ways to reduce radon and protect your family. The most common solution is a radon mitigation system, which uses a vent pipe and a fan to pull radon from beneath your home and release it outside. Sealing foundation cracks and improving ventilation can also help, but they aren’t enough on their own to fix a serious radon issue. A professional radon mitigation specialist can assess your home and recommend the best approach.
Should You Be Concerned About Radon When Buying or Selling a Home?
Radon testing is often part of the home inspection process during a real estate transaction. If a home tests high for radon, buyers can negotiate with sellers to install a mitigation system before closing. If you’re selling, testing your home ahead of time and addressing any radon issues can make the sale process smoother. Either way, radon doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker—it’s a fixable problem with the right approach.
Take Action and Stay Safe
Radon may be an invisible threat, but you can control it with awareness and proper testing. Whether you’re a homeowner or in the process of buying or selling, knowing your radon levels and taking steps to mitigate them can give you peace of mind. A simple test could make all the difference in protecting your health and home.
Elite Home Inspections offers comprehensive home inspection and radon testing services in Sumter, Clarendon, Lee, Darlington, Florence, and Hartsville, South Carolina. Contact us to schedule an inspection today.