Radon enters your home when warm air begins to rise and exits through the roof, creating a vacuum that pulls cooler air from under the foundation. Part of that air is radon, which is an invisible, odorless gas that develops naturally when radioactive particles are deep within the ground. Those particles usually come from decaying matter in soil and rocks.

Options include sub-slab depressurization, crawlspace ventilation, and sealing cracks. Choose based on home construction and radon levels.

The soil beneath your house is most likely what’s causing an increased level of radon. This is because soil holds radioactivity for a long time and it’s also what most buildings are built on. Another common source of radon is water from a source that hasn’t been through periodic radon tests, such as well water. Over time, the radon from the soil can inhabit other parts of your house like the foundation or plumbing.

You can vent radon out of your house sometimes by simply opening a window, but it won’t remove the source, and will likely rise above recommended levels quickly. A professional will be needed to assess your home, and determine the best strategy for radon removal. Active radon sump pumps and soil depressurization systems are often used to forcefully vent the radon from your home.