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Rain Effects on Radon Levels

Radon is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas. It is a radioactive gas caused by the decay of uranium and radium in the soil surrounding the foundation of a building or home basement slab. Radon comes from rocks, soil and well water that contain uranium and radium.

  1. Rain Effects on Radon

    • Cracks

      After a heavy rain, indoor radon levels will rise when the gas flow is diverted toward the unsaturated soil near the structure.

    Radon Entering a Home

    • Beware!

      If your home has a sump pump, the pit must be sealed with an approved lid that allows pump servicing and inspection. It is necessary to seal because drainage pipes can direct radon along with water into the sump pit. Sumps are a major radon entry point. Cracks in basement floors can also be sealed.

    Cancer Risk

    • Rocks

      Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. When you breathe radon, it increases your chance of getting lung cancer. The US Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US today.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Test Strips

      The most common mitigation technique is a sub slab depressurization or SSD. The soil near the home is depressurized to draw the radon away from the home before it can enter.

    Testing

    • Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. The Environmental Protection Agency has set a level of 4 pCi/L for indoor radon levels. If your home levels are greater than this, you should seek professional assistance.

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