No matter how big or small a problem is, until and unless you don’t find a root cause of it, you cannot get rid of it altogether. In the case of radon gas, we all know how dangerous it is for human health and what are the risks it poses when exposed to it.
When testing is the only way to check the presence of radon in your home, this is not feasible at all times, let alone installing the mitigation system. What if you have been exposed before or while the testing is carried out? The cancer-causing element of radon is going to affect the whole family.
Though installing a mitigation system is extremely important, it is of utmost importance that you find out how does radon enters a home. Once you know about this, you will be able to control and manage it in an effective manner. Saving yourself and your family before radon affects you, see how it does enter your home, and take steps to avert it by all means.
If you are not sure where to look in your home to see the entry points of radon, this article is going to help you understand how does radon enters a home.
What is radon, and how does it work?
Radon is a noble radioactive gas, and it naturally comes from the decomposition of uranium found in the soil. As radon is a noble gas, it has no color, taste, or smell, and therefore you cannot detect the presence of it without testing.
As the uranium decays, the radon gas is released, and it travels up to the ground and then into the air reaching your home. It can build up in homes, schools, apartments, and in any other building or structure.
How does radon enter a home?
Any home can face this problem as uranium can be present in any type of soil and anywhere. The radon gas travels upward through the ground and spreads in the air.
Typically, the radon enters your home through the base or the foundation. It can take different paths to reach your home that includes and is not limited to loose-fitting pipes, cracks in the basement, construction joints, drains, and any other way the gas finds.
Home with or without basements, well-sealed or partially sealed, radon can pass through any house.
Other than from the ground, radon can also enter a home through well water, but radon from the soil is the major cause in most cases.
What is the health risk of radon?
If exposed, there are no symptoms that can help you recognize, but only after some time will you start having problems in breathing. As per the reports shared by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is rated as the first leading cause of cancer among people who don’t smoke.
Given the results, radon is so dangerous that no one desires to face it. Considering that, the EPA has a map showing you the states with their radon levels.
Conclusion
Reducing your cancer risk and making your home safe, one must know how does radon enters a home. While this article provides you with the information, sealing cracks seems to be a perfect solution to block radon entrance. However, sealing is one of the main parts of the mitigation process, but it is not the only step you have to take