Radon forms underground — but how does it end up inside your home? The answer lies in the way buildings interact with the ground beneath them. Understanding radon's entry points is the first step toward keeping it out.
Pressure Differences Drive Radon Indoors
The air pressure inside most homes is slightly lower than the pressure in the soil beneath the foundation. This pressure difference acts like a vacuum, drawing radon-laden soil gases up and into the building through any available opening.
Common Entry Points
- Cracks in concrete floors and walls — Even hairline cracks provide a pathway for radon gas.
- Construction joints — The seam where the floor meets the wall is a common entry point.
- Gaps around service pipes — Plumbing, electrical, and gas pipes that pass through the foundation create openings.
- Sump pits and drains — Open sump pits are a direct channel from the soil into the home.
- Hollow block walls — Radon can move through the cavities in concrete block foundations.
- Well water — Radon dissolved in groundwater can be released into the air when water is used indoors.
Why Basements Are Most Affected
Basements have the most direct contact with the soil and the most potential entry points. They also tend to have less ventilation than upper floors, allowing radon to accumulate to higher concentrations. However, radon can rise through the entire home via stairwells and air circulation.
New Homes Are Not Immune
Even brand-new, well-sealed homes can have radon problems. In fact, energy-efficient homes with tight insulation may trap radon more effectively than older, draftier buildings. The only way to know is to test.
Detect Radon Before It Builds Up
The GZAIR Radon Detector monitors your home's radon levels around the clock, alerting you to any rise in concentration so you can act before levels become dangerous.
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