QA

How To Mess With 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 radon tests be manipulated?

Yes, radon tests can be manipulated. However, please note that attempting to manipulate radon test results is not only considered fraud, but it can also result dangerous living conditions for others.

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.

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.

What happens if I open windows during a radon test?

Opening windows and exterior doors may cause radon levels to drop as indoor air gets diluted by outside air. But it is not unusual for Radon levels in a house to actually increase due to open windows.

Can radon tests be wrong?

The short answer is yes, as errors can happen with any type of test, but the likelihood of a wrong radon level reading changes greatly based on a variety of factors.

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.

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.

How do you fix a faulty radon test?

No matter what your home’s radon test levels are, your home CAN be fixed. Whether your home is at the action point or below it, it is a good idea to install a radon mitigation system. These systems act as a remediation method by removing the radon from your home and redirecting it outside.

Can you run ceiling fan during radon test?

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. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.

Do humidifiers help with radon?

No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. Radon must be removed by a remediation method like active soil depressurization (ASD), which ironically has been shown to be even more effective at removing humidity from a home than a dehumidifier in the same EPA study.

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.

Would a gas leak affect a radon test?

Most likely not; even so, by now, the gas should have cleared. That saidthe nature of radon is that the levels fluctuate.

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.

Should I air out my basement before a radon test?

Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open. A fan blowing air out of the basement increases negative pressure, which can actually increase radon levels.

How do you prepare for a radon test?

Begin by keeping the home’s doors and windows closed for up to 12 hours prior to the radon test.How to prepare for a radon test Have windows open. Have ceiling fans operating. Have attic fans operating. Have humidifiers or dehumidifiers operating. Have fireplaces operating (chimney dampers should be closed).

Are charcoal radon tests accurate?

Charcoal Radon Test Kits These tests are the cheapest and quickest options for measuring radon levels in your home, but they are also the least accurate because they are susceptible to spikes in radon levels and interference during shipping for lab tests.

What causes a false positive radon test?

Conclusion. Many factors can give either a false negative or a false positive when conducting a radon test. High winds, barometric pressures, temperature, rain, and your home’s construction all play a role in radon readings.

Are radon levels higher at night?

During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but at night, there is a rapid cooldown. This results in slightly higher radon levels during the day, rather than at night.