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How To Beat A Radon Test

Some of these methods for how to pass a radon test include: Open windows. By opening the windows, you increase fresh air circulation and reduce the concentration of radon in the home. Install basement vents. Use fans. Create exits. Mitigation.

Can you cheat on a radon test?

While it is understandable that most people selling their homes don’t want to pay for home repairs, radon gas isn’t something to mess around with. Tampering with a radon testing unit during a home sale is fraud, and can lead to lawsuits even years after you sell the home.

Can a radon test be fooled?

What happens to a radon test result if the windows were opened, the test device moved, or there was any other evidence of tampering during the test? It’s simple: the test is voided and must be run again. No exceptions.

How do you skew a radon test?

Rain during the test period can skew test results—sometimes quite dramatically. This is because rain drives radon out of the ground, which results in a high radon level reading.

Does opening a window reduce radon?

Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Opening basement windows helps reduce negative air pressure, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.

How do you lower radon levels before a test?

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.

What time of year is radon highest?

The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold. During the winter, the air in your home tends to be much warmer than the outside air, and this temperature difference creates a vacuum within your home.

Can anything affect a radon test?

Rain, thunderstorms and high wind can also have an affect on radon testing results. Radon readings have been known to go down when the outdoor wind speeds increase during periods of high humidity. When the seasons change such as fall to winter, radon testing can be affected.

Does running a dehumidifier reduce radon?

Absolutely! Do continue to use the dehumidifier. It will help, not because the dehumidifier will remove radon, but it will remove very small particulates along with the moisture in the basement air.

Will dehumidifier affect radon test?

Test devices should not be within three feet of exterior doors. Close any air vents that would force air across the testing device. Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air.

How does opening windows affect a radon test?

Opening windows at the upper levels actually has the potential to increase radon levels during a short-term test. This is because the increased amount of dilution air that is brought into the house will typically be enough to offset any additional radon gas brought into the house.

Will running a fan reduce radon?

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.

Will opening the basement windows before a radon test lower the results?

Unfortunately, no, opening the windows does not reduce radon. It is not a gas that will just permanently escape the home like smoke from something burning in the oven. The radon may seem to leave when the windows are open, but as soon as they are closed, it is back.

Can radon test false positive?

What kind of errors can there be? There are two common errors that could occur during a radon test: False Positive: Your home may test higher than 4 pCi/L, but the average level over the year was actually below.

Do plants reduce radon?

Radon (222Rn) is a natural radioactive gas and the major radioactive contributor to human exposure. The present effective ways to control Rn contamination are ventilation and adsorption with activated carbon. Plants are believed to be negligible in reducing airborne Rn.

How do you make a radon mitigation system?

Steps for Installing Radon Mitigation Step 1: Make a hole. Step 2: Dig out under the slab. Step 3: Run pipe from cellar to attic. Step 4: Place and seal pipe. Step 5: Run the pipe to a fan. Step 6: Install a manometer. Step 7: Test the system.

Are home radon test kits accurate?

“Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time.” ScienceDaily.

How do I prevent radon in my basement?

How to Prevent Radon Install a layer of gas-permeable aggregate, such as four inches of gravel, beneath the slab or flooring system of your home if you don’t have a crawlspace. Seal and caulk all cracks in your foundation and walls. Run a three to four-inch gas-tight pipe from the first layer or crawlspace to the roof.

How do you mitigate radon in a slab?

In order to reduce radon in slab homes, one of four types of soil suction methods are employed: subslab suction, drain-tile suction, sump-hole suction, or block-wall suction. Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method.