Imagine purchasing your dream home, with a spacious backyard, a cozy fireplace, and access to great schools. Everything seems perfect. But what happens if something invisible and odorless enters your home, something toxic that you aren’t even aware of? That’s high radon levels for you.
You cannot see or smell radon, yet it can harm your family. Which is why radon testing is not just a formality; it’s essential for home safety.
What then is Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is generated when uranium found in the soil, rocks, and water is disintegrated. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces, and even well water.
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that radon takes the second position, after smoking, in lung cancer cases in the United States. It is a killer of 21,000 Americans on an annual basis.
High Radon Levels
Once radon enters, it accumulates over time, increasing your risk. Even new or airtight homes can have high levels of radon. In case your home has radon concentrations of more than 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter, a measure of radioactivity in air), action is recommended by the EPA.
What If Your House Has High Radon Levels
Let’s say you’ve had radon testing done, and the results show your home has high radon levels. What now?
It is Fixable. Don’t Panic
The good news is that high radon levels can be mitigated. A certified professional can typically install a reduction system in one day.
The widespread fix is a sub-slab depressurization system. It extracts radon from under the building and directs the gases out of it.
Re-Test to Confirm
After installing a mitigation system, retest your home to ensure levels are below 4.0 pCi/L. Many choose radon monitors for constant readings.
Keep an Eye on It
Radon levels may vary over time and may be influenced by changes in weather, home repairs or renovations, or alterations in ventilation. Testing every two years is a good idea, or when you make major changes in your home.
Why Radon Testing Is Non-Negotiable
Many homeowners skip radon testing during the homebuying process—a big mistake. Failing to do this would result in toxic air for your family daily.
According to a research study, 40.7% of buyers test for radon during home-buying.
And those that did not test and discovered high radon levels after moving in spent somewhere between $500 to $2,500 on mitigation systems, in addition to the stress and worry.
How to Minimize Your Risk
What you should do to safeguard your household and your loved ones is this:
- Conduct regular tests in your home. Whether buying, selling, or staying put, radon testing gives you peace of mind.
- When levels are high, prompt action must be taken. Get a certified Radon compliance contractor and a professional trained to reduce radon in homes.
- Start a conversation with your neighbors about radon. High radon levels can be common in your area, especially in states like Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where the soil is rich in uranium.
Leading the Way
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 1.5 million new homes have been built in the United States since 1990 using radon-resistant construction techniques, often included as standard or optional features by builders to reduce indoor radon risk
Several state governments require radon testing and mitigation in public schools:
- Iowa
Under Iowa Code House File 2412 (July 2022), all public school buildings must be:
- Tested for radon at least once by mid‑2027 and every five years thereafter.
- Tested by certified radon measurement specialists.
- Mitigated if levels exceed four pCi/L.
- Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, and Rhode Island similarly enforce radon testing in public schools, often with state-level programs or regulations requiring testing, public reporting, and mitigation if needed.
Bottom Line
Don’t overlook radon. It’s silent, invisible, deadly, yet controllable with proper measures. If you find high radon levels in your home, don’t let fear take over you. Take action.
At Total House Inspection, we make radon testing simple, affordable, and reliable. Our trained representatives apply state-of-the-art products to find the most subtle traces of radon. If high radon levels are found, we guide you step-by-step through the mitigation process.
Protect your family’s air. Schedule your radon test with Total House Inspection today.
