Radon is a radioactive gas that is released with the breakdown of uranium. Uraniummis found in soils and rocks and the radium released though it accumulates in the air. At home, radon seeps through the holes or cracks and affects the air at home.

Why is it harmful?
Long and prolonged exposure to radon damages the sensitive cells of our lungs, leading to lung cancer. Therefore, it’s very important to get rid of radon at home.

How to detect radon at home?
The following symptoms indicate radon at your home:
•Difficulty in breathing
•Bad cough
•Trouble in swallowing
•Fatigue

One should not take these symptoms lightly and immediately check for radon if the symptoms persist.

How to get rid of radon at home

Since radon is a radioactive and harmful gas, there is no proper DIY to check for its level or its presence. It’s always a better option to call a radon mitigation company that can use professional methods to check and remove radon from your home.

An authentic radon mitigation company has a well-trained team having all the technical knowledge of removing radon. They also ensure to guide you and take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of radon accumulation at your home again. Radon mitigation companies use the following techniques to remove radon from your
home:

1) Using Crawl spaces: In this, a high-density polyethylene sheet is used. The
sheet is first properly placed on the ground. The joints are then sealed and a perforated pipe is kept beneath the plastic. The pipe is connected to a solid PVC piping and a fan which helps create a vacuum and very efficiently collects the radon.

2) Using Slab Grades: In the slab, a hole is drilled which is usually four to six
inches. There is a small pit that is excavated beneath the hole to which a PVC pipe is inserted. The pipes connect to a fan which creates a vacuum beneath the slab. A single radon vent pipe is used for home.

3) Using Drainage Systems: Homes that have drainage systems to collect
rainwater, the pit can be used to collect radon from the soil or by using a
different hole.

4) Through Slab Ductworks: Homes having return air ducts for air conditioning systems can be majorly responsible for radon at home. This happens when the air conditioner is on and a vacuum is created which can lead radon from the soil to your home. In this case, a radon fan is used which has a four-inch pipe connected to it. This pipe is connected to the sump of the house. This directs any radon outside the home.

5) Using Radon mitigation systems: A well-designed radon mitigation system is installed in the home which does not allow radon to enter the home and also reduces the encroaching of soil moisture vapour.

6) Using air filtration systems: High-efficiency air filters or HEPA reduce the
risk of radon levels at home by reducing any radon decay products. It also
reduces the risk of any air-borne allergens.

You can also reduce the cost and risk of radon mitigation by installing a radon control system and taking care of certain things while building your home.
Here are the ways to do it:

•Installing a layer of gas permeable pile usually of four inches.
•Installing a three to a four-inch gas pipe running from the crawl space to the roof which helps in the elimination of any radon from the soil.
•Sealing all the cracks and holes on the roofs and walls of your home.
•Installing an active radon control system that can direct the gas out of your home.

The cost of radon mitigation depends on the size, location, the extent of radon accumulation and the position of the company in the market.

It should always be made sure to seek a certified and legal radon mitigation company.