Winter Radon Risks: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Radon Awareness: Why Winter Puts Your Home at Risk

Winter months can lead to higher radon levels in homes, posing serious health risks, including lung cancer. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that seeps from the ground, and its accumulation increases in colder months due to several factors.

Why Are Radon Levels Higher in Winter?

1. Reduced Ventilation

Sealed homes trap heat but also allow radon to build up without proper airflow.

2. The Stack Effect

Warm air rises, creating a vacuum that pulls radon from the soil into basements and crawl spaces.

3. Frozen Ground

Cold weather prevents radon from escaping outdoors, directing it into homes instead.

4. Heating Systems

Certain heating systems create negative pressure, drawing in radon.

5. Behavioral Patterns

Windows remain closed in winter, limiting natural ventilation and trapping radon inside.

Why Test for Radon?

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Since it’s undetectable without testing, every homeowner should check their levels, especially in winter.

How to Protect Your Home

1. Test Your Home – Affordable radon test kits or professional testing can assess your risk.

2. Monitor Regularly – Levels fluctuate, so periodic re-testing is essential.

3. Improve Ventilation – Increase airflow and seal foundation cracks to reduce radon buildup.

4. Consider Mitigation – If levels are high, a mitigation system can significantly lower radon concentration.

   
   

Take Action Today

Your home should be a safe haven. If you haven’t tested for radon, make it a priority this winter. Protect your family’s health by taking simple yet effective steps. Need guidance on testing or mitigation? Call me today at 303-501-5621.