Does Open Windows Decrease Radon Levels in Your Home?

Opening your windows can be a good way to decrease the radon levels in your home, but it’s not the end-all, be-all solution. You’ll still want to install a radon mitigation system in your home, and test your home for radon even after installing a mitigation system.

Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs from the decay of organic materials like soil and rock. It’s toxic to humans and animals when inhaled, and homeowners are typically unaware of their home’s levels until a test is needed for any real estate transactions or symptoms start to occur. It can easily be mitigated with the proper steps and with the help of certified professionals.

Why Opening Windows Isn’t Enough

Opening windows and/or using fans can temporarily reduce radon levels by increasing airflow and diluting the gas indoors, but it’s not a permanent fix. There are a couple of reasons why: 

• Radon doesn’t stop entering your home just because air is moving. Radon gas is pulled from the ground, not from stale air
• The effect disappears when the windows are closed. But also, it’s inconsistent, due to outdoor temperature changes and the changing wind directions. How much ventilation you’re getting will be affected.
• Test results can be skewed; you shouldn’t keep windows open during a radon test, as it can give a false sense of safety and ultimately not show the real result of your home test.

What You Can Do Instead of Opening Your Windows

Your first course of action in removing radon is getting a test done. If you receive high test levels, call Guardian Radon Mitigation for a mitigation system installation immediately. 

It’s important to hire certified professionals throughout every step of the process, to ensure everything is done correctly so your family isn’t at risk of developing any symptoms and isn’t exposed to any further. By working with licensed and trained radon mitigation professionals, they can help you find the root cause of the problem and decide on the correct method for mitigation. 

There are a couple of different ways you can reduce the radon levels in your home. One of them is a vent pipe system and fan that pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outdoors. This system, also known as a soil depressurization system, doesn’t require major changes to your home and is a great way to keep your home’s air clean.

Whether you have a soil depressurization system installed or another radon mitigation system installed, it’s important to test your home again to ensure it’s working. We suggest retesting your home every two years to be sure radon levels remain low, and if you’re doing any remodeling, be sure to conduct a radon test as well. If you notice any problems with your radon mitigation system, call our office. Our Guardian Radon team will be out to perform maintenance on your system.

If you’ve tested your home and your levels are not above 4.0pCi/L and a mitigation system isn’t needed, there are still ways you can keep radon levels as low as possible in your home. Take action by sealing any foundation cracks and other openings, even in walls with plaster, or caulk where outdoor air could get into your home. You can also open windows and use fans or vents to circulate air. It is only a temporary strategy to reduce radon, but it can help. If you’ve done any of these to make your home’s air just a bit cleaner, be sure to retest your radon levels to ensure they’ve continued to decrease.

The process to mitigate radon levels in your home doesn’t have to be hard. If the levels aren’t very high, cracks in the walls, doors, and foundation can easily be sealed. However, if the levels are very high, over 4.0pCi/L, then you’ll want to have a ventilation system installed to funnel air from the house and release it outside. 

In addition to installing a mitigation system and sealing any cracks, homeowners can alleviate levels by opening the windows, allowing the toxic air to escape and fresh air to enter. However, opening the windows is a temporary solution; radon is still entering your home, and you’ll want to take all of the measures you can to stop it from sneaking in.

Need a Radon Mitigation System Installed?

Guardian Radon Mitigation offers high-quality radon mitigation services throughout the Chicagoland area, including Oswego, Naperville, Plainfield, Aurora, and Yorkville areas. Contact us with your radon mitigation questions, and we’ll be happy to assist. Our experts are ready to remove radon from your home, ensuring you have a safe place to call home.