Here are 4 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe from Radon Gas

As a homeowner, there are many issues you will have to deal with when it comes to keeping your home safe. One danger that might not even cross your mind is the possibility of radon gas getting into your home. Radon gas is what is produced when rocks containing naturally occurring uranium break down. The gas isn’t lethal in and of itself, but in high enough concentrations it can heighten your risk of developing cancer, so it’s important to perform residential radon testing to make sure there isn’t any radon gas in your house. If residential radon testing services do detect levels of radon gas in your home, there are several things you can do to keep your home safe.

• Place Gravel Underneath the Foundation Slab: One way you can keep your home safe from radon gas is to place a layer of gravel several inches thick underneath the foundation slab according to the EPA. This can be done in one of two ways. The gravel can either be laid down before the foundation slab is poured, when the house is being built, or a hole can be drilled in the existing foundation, a space hollowed out underneath, and a layer of gravel is added in the new space. However it is done, the gravel serves as a layer that gives the radon gas a space to spread out instead of moving upwards into the house.
• Seal Cracks in the Foundation Slab: Another way you can keep your home safe from radon gas is to seal any cracks in the foundation slab. Radon gas naturally wants to move upward, so if there are cracks in the foundation, that will provide a way for the gas to get into the building. According to Radon Seal, sealing cracks in the foundation can help to secure the home against radon gas.
• Place a Vapor Barrier in the Crawlspace: A third way to keep your home safe from radon gas is to place a vapor barrier in any crawlspace located in your basement. This is usually a small area underneath the main level of the house that has a bottom exposed to bare dirt in many cases. To keep radon gas from getting in this way, it’s best to place a plastic vapor barrier over the exposed earth that will work to keep the gas out.
• Seal the Area Around the Sump Pump: A fourth way to keep your home safe from radon gas is to seal the area around your sump pump. Since a sump pump connects to pipes in the ground, it provides a route for radon gas to enter your home, it’s important to seal the area around these pipes so nothing can get into the house.

In conclusion, there are several ways you can keep your home safe from radon gas if residential radon testing detects its presence. These ways include: placing gravel underneath the foundation, sealing cracks in the foundation, placing a vapor barrier in any crawlspaces, and sealing the area around your sump pump. Performing these tasks will help seal your home and keep it safe from radon gas.