We like to think that our homes are completely safe when it comes to health hazards, but this is not always true. One of the worst hazards that can sneak its way into your home is radon gas. Radon seeps into your home from below. It is radioactive and completely invisible to the human senses. If your home has not been tested for radon, you should think about changing that as soon as possible. Here, we will look at how to protect your home against radon so you can sleep easier at night.
Increase Natural Ventilation
While not a long-term solution for radon gas, the more that you can reduce its effects, the better. Radon is the most dangerous when it hangs around in the air you breathe. Opening windows and using screen doors can help to ventilate your house and allow radon a way to escape back into the outside air.
Seal Cracks in Walls and Floors
Radon usually seeps into your house from the lowest part of your home. Heading down to your basement or crawl space to seal and cracks or crevices you find is one easy step you can take to mitigate the risk of radon exposure. You can use caulking, plaster, or any other sealant designed for this purpose, but you should not assume everything is fixed. Make sure to test your home for radon again after making these adjustments.
Radon Resistant Construction
If you are building or renovating a new home, it is worth looking into adding radon-resistant construction features. This is especially important if you know that you will be heading to an area that has high levels of radon. This is a good idea for when the house is being built, as adding these measures later is more costly and time-consuming.
Call in the Professionals
If you are really serious about knowing how to protect your home against radon, you will need to call a radon mitigation company that knows how to fix these problems. You should not take any chances, especially if radon levels in your home are very high. Often, the companies that test for radon also provide radon mitigation services, so do not be afraid to ask them for help should your results be less than ideal.
