There are many dangers that can affect a home over time. One such danger is radon gas, a problem that many people have not even heard of. Radon in your home can come from radon gas which forms when naturally occurring uranium breaks down underground and heads toward the surface. If testing for radon reveals high enough levels of radon in your home, then it is important to take action. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. The best way to protect your home from radon gas is to make use of radon mitigation and abatement services, and this article will take a look at a few of those services.
- Seal Any Cracks in the Foundation: One way to protect your home if testing for radon reveals abnormally high levels is to have any cracks in the foundation sealed. Because radon gas moves up through the ground, the foundation can provide a perfect means of entry into a home. For this reason, if radon is detected, the foundation should be one of the first places checked. Any cracks found should be properly sealed to prevent any more radon from getting in that way.
- Place a Vapor Barrier in the Crawlspace: Another way to protect your home if testing for radon reveals a high amount in your home is to place a vapor barrier in the crawlspace. Most, if not all crawlspaces have exposed earth, which can provide a perfect way for radon gas to get into the home. A vapor barrier made of a special plastic is placed over this exposed earth and is intended to seal the area, preventing any radon gas from getting into the area.
- Have the Sump Pump Sealed After Installation: And finally, a third way to protect your home if testing for radon reveals its presence is to have the area around the sump pump sealed after installation. It’s easy to ignore the sump pump but it too can provide a means for radon gas to get into the home. This is possible because the pipe that connects the sump pump to the sewer cuts through the foundation to reach the sewer line. This provides a small way for radon gas to get in. To prevent this from happening, the sump pump area should be properly sealed and covered to keep the gas from getting in.
In conclusion, there are several ways to protect your home from radon gas. These ways include sealing any cracks in the foundation, placing a vapor barrier in the crawlspace, and having the sump pump sealed after installation. These are just a few of the ways to protect your home from radon gas.
