Why Every Home Should Be Tested for Radon All homes contain some level of radon — it’s a naturally occurring gas that seeps into buildings from the ground. However, radon levels can vary greatly from one home to another, even between houses that are built the same way and located side by side. Because so many factors influence radon concentration — including soil composition, foundation type, ventilation, and seasonal conditions — it’s impossible to predict the level of radon inside any home without proper testing. For this reason, we strongly encourage every homeowner to test for radon, regardless of location or home age. Testing is the only way to know your home’s true radon level and ensure that the air you and your family breathe is safe How Weather and Home Conditions Affect Radon Levels Radon levels can fluctuate due to changes in both outdoor weather and indoor conditions. Variations in temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure, and precipitation all influence how radon moves through the soil and into a home. Inside the home, certain activities and systems can also impact radon concentrations. The use of exhaust fans, fireplaces, furnaces, or ventilation systems alters the air pressure difference between the soil and the interior of the house. This pressure shift affects the rate at which radon gas is drawn indoors and how quickly indoor air is exchanged with outdoor air. These factors can cause noticeable changes in radon readings and should always be considered when testing. Radon originates in the soil beneath and around a home, where it forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium. It can enter through cracks in the foundation, floor joints, crawlspaces, sump pits, unfinished walls, or around plumbing and utility penetrations. Even small gaps can allow radon gas to seep inside. The concentration of radon will vary depending on the uranium content and permeability of the soil, as well as the construction type and foundation design of the home. Buildings with greater contact between their foundation and the soil — or more openings in sub-slab areas — typically have a higher potential for radon entry. Because so many environmental and structural factors influence radon levels, testing is the only way to determine your home’s true exposure and to decide whether mitigation is needed.