Uranium in Soil: Radon gas is produced when uranium, which is found naturally in soil and rock, breaks down. This gas can seep into homes through the ground.
Foundation Cracks: Small cracks in the foundation of a house provide easy entry points for radon gas from the ground to enter the home.
Pipe Gaps: Spaces around pipes entering the house, such as water or gas lines, can allow radon to enter.
Joints in Construction: Gaps where different parts of the house meet, like where the floor meets the wall, can let radon in.
Openings in Crawl Spaces: If a house has a crawl space instead of a full basement, radon can easily move from the ground into the house through these open areas.
Materials: Some building materials, like certain stones, bricks, or concrete, can contain small amounts of radon. Over time, this radon can be released into the air inside the house.
Radon in Water: Radon can dissolve into groundwater. If a home uses well water, radon can enter the house when this water is used for cooking, bathing, or drinking.
Soil Gas: The pressure difference between the inside of a home and the soil around it can draw radon gas into the home from the ground.
Floor Openings: Any openings or gaps in floors, such as those around sump pumps or drains, can provide pathways for radon to enter.
Ventilation: Homes that are well-sealed to save energy can trap radon inside, as there’s less airflow to carry it out.
High-Radon Areas: Some geographic areas have higher levels of radon in the ground. Homes built in these areas are more likely to have radon problems.
Activities: Certain activities, like using a clothes dryer or exhaust fan, can lower the air pressure inside the home. This lower pressure can pull radon in from the ground.
Understanding these common ways radon can enter homes can help you take steps to test for and reduce radon levels, keeping your home safer.
