If someone asked the question “What is radon?” it’s entirely possible that you might not know the answer. Many homeowners have never heard of radon gas or know why radon testing and inspection is so important. However, radon mitigation and abatement is more important than you realize, and a lot of that has to do with where the substance comes from. Simply put, radon gas is derived from naturally occurring uranium deep underground. The gas is created when this uranium breaks down and heads for the surface. This is important because the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. To keep levels of radon gas at safe levels in your home, there are several things that can be done, and this article will take a look at a few of them.
- Seal Cracks in the Foundation Slab: After learning the answer to what is radon, it is plain that one of the first ways you can keep your home safe from radon gas is to seal any cracks in your home’s foundation slab. As the gas is moving upward, it will look for any opening to keep going, and cracks in the foundation can provide the perfect means of entry. With all of the cracks sealed, one avenue will be closed to radon gas.
- Seal the Area Around the Sump Pump: Another way to keep your home safe from radon gas is to seal the area around your home’s sump pump. This can help because, for the sump pump to connect to the sewer, a pipe needs to be put through the foundation at some point. The gas can get in through this small opening, but not if the area is properly sealed after sump pump installation.
- Place a Vapor Barrier in the Crawl Space of Your Home: And finally, a third way to keep your home safe from radon gas is to place a vapor barrier in the crawl space of your home. As most crawl spaces have bare earth floors, they can provide another means of entry for radon gas. By placing a vapor barrier, made of multiple layers of plastic, down on the crawl space floor, you can seal the area and prevent radon gas from getting into the area.
In conclusion, there are several ways to keep your home safe from radon gas. These ways include sealing cracks in the foundation slab, sealing the area around the sump pump, and placing a vapor barrier in the crawl space of your home. Learning what is radon can feel really scary, but there are things that can be done to protect your homes and these are just a few of the things that you can do.