Understanding Radon Gas, Its Source, and Why House Age Doesn't Impact Levels

Radon gas is a hidden threat that many homeowners overlook. It is a radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors and pose serious health risks. Many people assume that older homes are more likely to have high radon levels, but this is not true. Radon can be found in any home, regardless of its age. This post explains what radon gas is, where it comes from, and why the age of your house does not determine radon levels.

What Is Radon Gas?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. It forms naturally when uranium in soil, rock, and water breaks down. Because it cannot be detected by human senses, radon often goes unnoticed without proper testing. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Radon gas moves up through the ground and can enter buildings through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, or other openings. Once inside, it can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in enclosed spaces like basements and lower floors.

Where Does Radon Come From?

Radon originates from the natural decay of uranium found in almost all soils and rocks. The amount of uranium varies depending on the geographic location and the type of soil or rock beneath a home. Some areas have higher uranium content, which means radon levels tend to be higher there.

Radon gas escapes from the soil and can seep into buildings through:

• Cracks in concrete slabs or walls

• Construction joints

• Gaps around service pipes

• Cavities inside walls

• Floor drains

  
  

Radon can also dissolve in groundwater and be released into the air when water is used inside the home, such as during showering or cooking.

Why House Age Does Not Affect Radon Levels

A common misconception is that older homes have higher radon levels because they are less sealed or have more cracks. While older homes might have more visible wear and tear, radon entry depends mainly on the soil and foundation conditions, not the age of the building.

Newer homes can have high radon levels if they are built on soil with high uranium content or if the foundation has openings that allow radon to enter. Modern construction techniques sometimes create tighter seals that trap radon inside, increasing indoor concentrations.

Here are some reasons why radon levels do not depend on house age:

• Soil composition varies by location, not by when the house was built.

• Foundation type matters more than age; basements, crawl spaces, and slab-on-grade foundations all have different radon risks.

• Ventilation and air pressure inside the home influence radon accumulation regardless of age.

• Cracks and openings can develop in any home over time or be present from the start.

  
  

Testing is the only way to know radon levels in any home.

Kittens in Santa hats on cozy blanket, eye-level view. You wouldn't want the 3D kittens kittens exposed to elevated radon gas levels now, would you?

How to Test for Radon

Testing your home for radon is simple and affordable. You can buy a radon test kit online or at hardware stores. These kits usually require you to place a small device in the lowest lived-in area of your home for a few days to a week. After the test period, you send the device to a lab for analysis.

There are two main types of radon tests:

• Short-term tests: Last from 2 to 7 days. Good for quick screening.

• Long-term tests: Last more than 90 days. Provide a more accurate average radon level.

  
  

If your test shows radon levels at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the EPA recommends taking action to reduce it.

How to Reduce Radon Levels

If your home has elevated radon, there are effective ways to lower it:

• Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation to reduce radon entry.

• Installing a radon mitigation system, such as a vent pipe and fan system that pulls radon from beneath the home and vents it outside.

• Improving ventilation in basements and crawl spaces to dilute radon concentrations.

  
  

Professional radon mitigators can assess your home and install the right system. These solutions typically cost between $800 and $2,500 depending on the home size and system complexity.

Why Testing Matters for Every Homeowner

Radon exposure is a serious health risk, but it is preventable. Since radon levels do not depend on the age of your home, every homeowner should test regardless of whether the house is new or old. Testing is the only way to know if radon is present and at what level.

Ignoring radon can lead to long-term health problems. Taking simple steps to test and reduce radon can protect your family and give you peace of mind.