As the weather cools down in SWVA, we have much to look forward to: the fall foliage, the holidays, time with family, and the coziness of home. But as we increase time indoors, we must also become more aware of any dangers our homes pose to us. And in the colder months, we’re more likely to have high radon levels.
So why are radon levels higher in fall and winter? And what can you do about it? We’ll tell you.
Cold House, Closed House
One of the main reasons for higher radon levels in the fall and winter is also the most obvious one: we keep our houses more closed.
In the summer and spring, we often try to ventilate our homes to save on AC. We’ll run fans and open windows to promote airflow. But in the cooler months, we reverse that tendency to save on heating.
When we perform whole home inspections, we check for places where your home is not well sealed and make recommendations. But those recommendations are to help you with heating, cooling, and pest control. They don’t help you with radon mitigation!
Unfortunately, like so many things with home ownership, improvements in one area can mean sacrifices in another.
The Stack Effect
Not all reasons for higher radon levels are behavioral. Most are environmental. Take the stack effect.
The stack effect is the term for warmer air in a closed home pulling radon out of the ground. Think of what you learned in high school biology about hot air rising.
While the air rises, it takes radon molecules with it, moving them from the ground and lower floors into the upper areas of your home.
Frozen Impermeable Ground
Finally, as the ground becomes denser and even frozen, radon’s natural tendency to sink back into the soil. Radon is heavier than air, which is why there are typically higher radon levels in basements, cellars, and lower floors. But it also means that it will settle back into the soil when possible.
However, when the ground is frozen, radon does not penetrate it, making it more likely to circulate in your air.
Mitigating Higher Radon Levels
Ok, enough bad news, right? We’ve told you all the reasons you have higher radon levels this time of year, but now let’s discuss what you can do about it!
As you know if you’ve read our previous blogs, SWVA is one of the most dangerous parts of the country for higher radon levels. But we’ve developed ways to work around that.
Firstly, get a radon inspection. You can’t prevent what you don’t know is happening. So, find out if you have radon in your home. But don’t just test once! Because we live in the EPA’s Zone one, test at least once every two years.
Secondly, create a radon mitigation system. Many homeowners use specialized radon pumps to remove radon from their homes, but even creating ventilation in an unused basement can greatly improve your exposure.
Another good thing to do is to finish the floor or your basement. Dirt floors create no barrier for radon entry.
Worried About Radon?
Now is the perfect time of year for radon testing. So, if you haven’t had a radon inspection in a while (or ever), call the professional radon inspectors at Detail View Home Inspections. We’ll test your home for radon, let you know your levels, and advise you on keeping yourself safer.
While we’re at it, you might consider a whole home inspection to find out what you can do to make your home better prepared for winter 2025 and beyond!
