Many new homeowners assume that a brand-new house is free from radon. After all, it's freshly built, tightly sealed, and up to modern standards — surely that means it's safe? Unfortunately, that assumption can be dangerous.
New Homes Can Have High Radon Levels
Radon comes from the ground, not from the building materials or age of the home. No matter how new or well-constructed a house is, if the soil beneath it contains uranium — which virtually all soil does to some degree — radon will form and attempt to enter.
In fact, energy-efficient new homes can sometimes have higher radon levels than older homes. Tight insulation and modern sealing techniques that reduce energy loss also reduce air exchange, trapping radon inside more effectively.
Radon-Resistant New Construction (RRNC)
The EPA promotes a set of building practices called Radon-Resistant New Construction (RRNC). These techniques are designed to make it easier to mitigate radon if elevated levels are found. Common RRNC features include:
- A layer of gas-permeable material (like gravel) beneath the slab
- A plastic sheeting vapor barrier over the gravel
- A sealed sump pit
- A PVC pipe running from beneath the slab to the roof (ready for a fan if needed)
- An electrical junction box in the attic for future fan installation
RRNC features do not guarantee low radon levels — they simply make mitigation easier and less expensive if needed.
Test Before You Move In
The best time to test a new home for radon is before or shortly after moving in, ideally before furniture and belongings make testing more complicated. If you're buying a new construction home, request radon test results from the builder or conduct your own test.
Retest After the First Year
New homes settle over time, and small cracks can develop in the foundation. It's a good idea to retest your radon levels after the first year of occupancy and then every two years thereafter.
Protect Your New Home From Day One
The GZAIR Radon Detector lets you monitor radon continuously from the moment you move in — so you can enjoy your new home with complete peace of mind.
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