Does Opening Windows Help Lower Radon Levels?

If you know anything about radon, you know you don’t want it in your house. A colorless, odorless, difficult to detect, radioactive gas, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the nation. If you discover high radon levels in your house, it’s understandable that you’d want it gone as soon as possible. So, does opening a window help reduce the radon in your home?

Yes and no. To understand the effect opening a window has on radon, you have to understand how radon becomes a problem. Radon is produced by decaying uranium in soil, and when it dissipates into the open air, it’s not a problem. Seeping into a house, however, becomes dangerous. Trapped inside the house, radon levels build up until they’re a health hazard. So, it makes sense that some people would believe that opening windows would let the radon out and decrease the level.

Unfortunately, that’s not a one-and-done situation. Opening the windows improves air circulation, and some of the radon is moved out of the house, bringing down the radon levels. However, the radon making its way into the house doesn’t stop coming while the window is open. Additionally, you won’t be able to keep the windows open indefinitely, and when you close them, the radon will build up again, probably returning to its prior levels within about 12 hours.

So, if improving your home’s airflow won’t get rid of radon, what will? Professional radon mitigation is the only way to truly reduce the levels of radon in your house. How would we define mitigation? Lessening the severity of something. When professionals come to your house because of a radon problem, they’ll determine the best method of radon remediation to reduce the severity of the radon in your home. This is likely to include foundation repairs and a radon mitigation system.

There are different ways to install a mitigation system, and how it’s done depends largely on your home’s layout. If there’s an attached garage, the home will likely receive an internal mitigation system, while homes without a garage need an external system. These systems differ primarily in the placement of the radon fan. Just as you can temporarily reduce radon levels by opening the windows, installing a radon fan can help keep levels lower. Once the system is installed it should be tested, to ensure that the radon levels in your house are safe.

If you’re looking for radon mitigation, call Reliable Basement Services. A family-owned and operated company, we’ve served the greater Chicagoland area for more than ten years. We offer a full spectrum of basement services, charging reasonable rates for work that includes radon remediation, crack repairs, sump pump systems, basement waterproofing, basement windows, and floor repair. Our consistently high standards have made us an award-winning Chicago basement waterproofing contractor and earned us thousands of satisfied customers all over Chicago. For more information, call (630) 318-4888 or visit our website for a free quote.