Radon is a radioactive gas you can’t see, smell, or taste—and that’s what makes it dangerous. It enters homes silently and builds up over time, often without obvious symptoms. By the time health issues appear, radon exposure has already taken its toll.
While only testing can confirm its presence, this guide will help you understand the early indicators of a potential radon problem—so you can act before it’s too late.
1. You’re in a High-Risk Area
If your home is in a state with naturally high uranium content in the soil, your chances of elevated radon levels increase significantly. These areas include:
- Utah
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Pennsylvania
- Iowa
- Ohio
Check the EPA’s Radon Zone Map or consult your local health department. If your zip code is in a high-risk zone, testing should be a priority—even for new homes.
2. Your Home Has a Basement or Crawlspace
Radon enters through the ground, so homes with basements or crawlspaces are especially susceptible. Cracks in concrete slabs, sump pits, and exposed soil provide easy entry points.
If your foundation has never been sealed or mitigated, you may have a radon issue you don’t know about—especially if your home was built before 1990.
3. You or Your Family Are Experiencing Unexplained Health Issues
Radon exposure is linked to lung cancer, and it can cause health symptoms that mimic other issues:
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Chest pain or wheezing
- Unexplained fatigue
While radon doesn’t cause symptoms right away, long-term exposure often goes unnoticed until after diagnosis. Smokers are at especially high risk.
4. Your Neighbors Have High Radon Levels
Radon concentration varies from house to house, but if neighbors near you have installed radon mitigation systems, it’s a good idea to test your home next. This is especially true in:
- New subdivisions built on old farmland
- Areas near mountains or former mining zones
- Valleys with limited airflow
Even if your home was built with radon-resistant features, only testing confirms safety.
5. You Haven’t Tested in Over 2 Years
Radon levels can fluctuate with seasons, home renovations, and HVAC upgrades. A previous test is not a permanent solution—especially if:
- You’ve finished a basement
- Installed a new furnace or HVAC
- Added insulation or changed airflow patterns
- Purchased or inherited the property
The EPA recommends testing every two years, and more often after major changes.
6. You See Cracks or Gaps in Your Foundation
Notice cracks in your basement floor, slab, or walls? These small gaps act as open doors for radon to seep in. Radon is heavier than air and moves upward from soil into your home’s lowest level.
While these cracks don’t guarantee radon, they are early warning signs that make a test urgent.
What to Do Next
The only way to know for sure if you have a radon problem is to test your home. You can use:
- Short-term radon test kits (2–7 days)
- Long-term test kits (90+ days)
- Professional digital testing devices
- Certified radon inspectors
If results come back above 4.0 pCi/L, you’ll need to explore mitigation options to reduce levels—often by 99% or more.