Get matched with top radon detection and reduction specialists in Grand Coteau, LA

Using an air purifier in your home or basement isn't an effective way to reduce or mitigate radon. Radon is an inert gas, meaning it doesn't react with other chemicals and can't be filtered the way particulates can be. While an air purifier can help improve your indoor air quality in other ways, don't rely on it to reduce radon.

The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water can cause radon to appear in a home. The gas seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, walls, or floors, as well as through gaps around pipes or construction joints. Radon levels are influenced by soil composition, building materials, and ventilation. Poorly sealed or airtight homes can trap radon, allowing it to accumulate.

Since radon typically comes out of the soil, it is most commonly found in the lower levels of a home. In houses with basements, that's a common location for radon. Homes built directly on the ground may have radon on the ground floors. Radon can be found on the upper floors of the home, but often in lower concentrations than in lower levels.

A DIY kit can lessen the sting that comes with paying for a professional assessment, but these comprehensive tests are true lifesavers. Inspectors are more likely to catch all of the pollutants and hazards in your air. Plus, you’ll still need a professional to verify and act on your DIY test results. 

Some kits don’t include tests for certain air pollutants or only detect their presence, but not their levels (i.e., mold spores). If you’re willing to shell out money for a DIY kit, it’s usually better to stretch your budget slightly higher for a more detailed assessment.