Radon is the naturally occurring gas that is responsible for being the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Because it is odorless and invisible to the naked eye, most people are unaware they have radon in their homes, which is especially frightening considering the ease in which radon levels can quickly rise to levels considered dangerous. You may have heard talk of a “radon season.” is there really an ideal season to test for radon? How do different weather conditions affect testing results?
Radon levels are historically found to be higher during the colder months, so experts recommend testing for radon during this time. However, there are a number of factors that can alter radon levels. These factors include changing climate conditions, atmospheric pressure, temperature, precipitation, or any construction on the home. With all these factors in mind, the most likely reason radon rises in colder weather is because we are all keeping our windows shut to keep warm.
Of course, everyone’s home contains cracks; despite all of our best efforts to seal them up. As the warm air rises and escapes from your home’s roof, this air is creating suction to pull in new air to replace it. This new cold air entering your home also pulls in radon particles. While this is normal regardless of the time of year, it’s important for you to know how much radon is being pulled into your home.
These reasons, paired with the truth that radon gathers in enclosed areas and people tend to hole up inside their homes far more often in winter, means the colder months of winter are the best times to test for radon.
To sum all this up, there are many variables to consider, and a home’s radon levels will regularly change significantly, especially living in Ohio with our wildly sporadic weather! The habits we all develop with the varying seasons (such as sealing our home to keep cold air out in the winter) exacerbate these wild fluctuations in radon levels. This is why it is important to monitor radon regularly, rather than the one-time test used by most people. Think of it as carbon monoxide. You wouldn’t test for carbon monoxide once and then forget about it, would you? Most people tend to have the home tested for radon as part of the home buying and home inspection process. This is great so buyers know what they are getting into. However, do not forget to recheck if you have lived in the home for a while. EPA recommends that you retest your home every two years to verify if levels have changed or not.
The Habitation Investigation company provides mold testing and home inspections in the Central Ohio Columbus and home inspection in the Dayton Ohio areas, Hilliard, Powell, Pickerington, Pataskala, New Albany, Delaware, Gahanna, Westerville, Galloway, Grove City, Worthington, Dublin, Marysville, London, Springfield, West Jefferson, Mechanicsburg and other cities surrounding Columbus, Ohio. The most/best reviewed home inspection company in Columbus Ohio is Habitation Investigation LLC. The website is: https://www.homeinspectionsinohio.com
Written by Kaitlyn Troth of Troth Media
