You must have heard about radon; you know it’s a radioactive gas that can sneak into your home. This gas can cause serious health issues. But here’s an interesting fact: radon levels in a home don’t remain constant throughout the year.
In the coldest months, the radon level rises and can cause more harm. Let’s discover why it happens.
What Exactly Is Radon
First of all, let’s understand radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that forms naturally when uranium breaks down in soil. It seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, or even from well water.
Well, coming from the ground naturally, this gas seems harmless, but it’s not. Radon is radioactive, and its long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. alone.
Are Radon Levels Higher in Winter
Yes, radon levels can be significantly higher in winter than in other seasons. But why? What changes in winter affect radon concentrations indoors? Here’s the breakdown:
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We Seal Up Our Homes Tight
When the weather turns cold, we do everything that we can to keep ourselves warm inside. Windows stay shut, doors are closed tight, and we crank up the heat. This all keeps us cozy, but it also traps indoor air, and that includes radon gas.
Unlike summer, when there’s more ventilation and air circulation, winter creates a sealed box effect. So if radon is entering your home, it has nowhere to go.
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The Stack Effect Comes Into Play
You must have heard of “stack effect”. Here’s how it works: warm air inside your house rises and escapes through the attic or upper levels. That escaping air creates a low-pressure vacuum at the lower levels of your home, due to which radon from the soil gets sucked into the basement or crawl space.
This effect is strongest when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is greatest, usually in winter.
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Frozen Soi Locks in Radon
During winter, the ground outside often freezes. That frozen layer of soil acts like a cap, trapping radon beneath the surface. Since radon seeks the path of least resistance, it’s more likely to find a way into your home through the foundation instead of escaping into the open air.
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Snow Cover Makes It Worse
Snow might look pretty, but it adds another layer of insulation on frozen soil. This thick blanket prevents radon from venting into the atmosphere, pushing even more toward your home’s foundation.
How High a Radon Level is Too High
The EPA recommends taking action if your home’s radon level is 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher. However, no radon level is considered completely safe, and the World Health Organization (WHO) advises mitigation at levels as low as 2.7 pCi/L (100 Bq/m3).
It’s not uncommon for radon levels to exceed those thresholds in winter, even in homes that tested “safe” during summer.
Should You Test Radon Level in Winters
Yes, winter is the ideal time to test radon in your home. As radon levels are at their highest this season, you’ll get a clear picture of your home’s worst-case scenario. That critical information helps make a decision about mitigation or repairs.
To test radon, you can use short-term or long-term kits, but to know about the pathways through which this gas enters your home, it is better to have a professional radon inspection.
How to Lower High Radon Levels in Winter
If your radon tests show high levels in your home, don’t panic; let the experts suggest the next step. You may have to do the following:
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Install a Radon Mitigation System
This system, also known as a sub-slab depressurization system, vents radon gas safely outside. It works like an exhaust fan for your basement, but is more powerful and effective.
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Seal Foundation Cracks nd Gaps
Sealing alone is not a solution, but it helps. Focus on areas where radon might sneak in, like sump pump openings, floor-to-wall joints, and pipe penetrations.
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Increase Ventilation
Adding ventilation, especially in the basement, can help dilute radon concentrations. Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) are popular for bringing in fresh outdoor air without losing heat.
Wrapping it Up
It’s clear that radon levels are higher in winter, and now you know why. Tightly sealed homes and temperature difference causes more radon to get into your home. Don’t let it cause health damage to you in the cozy months of the year.
Legacy Inspection Group is your go-to company for getting a professional radon test in winter. Schedule an inspection and ensure that you and your loved ones live in a healthy atmosphere.
Contact us for a quote and to discuss your Home Inspection needs today at 847-217-5958. We service the Chicago area for home inspections, mold testing and radon testing.
