Since radon increases your chances of cancer, it should be the first thing you must test for when buying a new house. You might be surprised by the results. One of the homebuyers reported that when they tested, radon levels were eight times higher than they should be. Also, if you live in Colorado, we would say that it’s a must. I mean, who doesn’t like peace of mind? But, in Colorado, you don’t need to get a radon test just for this reason. Colorado’s underlying bedrock and soil contain significant amounts of uranium, which naturally decays into radon gas. Additionally, Colorado’s cold winters lead you to keep windows and doors closed for extended periods, which can trap radon gas indoors and result in higher concentrations.

However, to get the best, accurate, and thorough radon test results, you should conduct it during summer. This blog will discuss why summer is a great time to test for radon.

Remember: There are no safe levels of radon. You need to have the lowest radon levels to reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Why Is Summer a Great Time to Test For Radon?

Summer is an ideal time to test for radon because homes are often sealed to keep in the air conditioning, providing stable conditions for accurate testing. Additionally, increased indoor activity during hot weather makes it crucial to ensure safe air quality.

Here are five reasons why you need to test your home for radon during summer:

Consistent Indoor Air Conditions

Summer is not only the best time for picnics and fun but also radon tests. Now that it’s summer, you typically seal your home to keep it cool from air conditioning. You might not know, but this creates a very stable indoor environment with minimal fluctuations in the airflow. This is precisely what you need if you want an accurate radon test. This also ensures that the levels detected reflect typical indoor conditions instead of being influenced by drafts or open windows. You can get reliable and accurate results once you test for radon in such conditions.

Increased Indoor Activity

You might love being indoors in summer as much as I do. Being indoors means increased activities, and there’s a fair chance of high radon levels, which equates to prolonged exposure. If you have children, then I can bet their favorite place to play is the basement—the lowest level of the house. But do you know that radon levels are higher in the lower levels of your house?

All of this makes it extremely necessary to ensure the indoor air is safe so that summer becomes the perfect time to test for and mitigate radon. Eventually, you will protect the health and well-being of your family.

Preparation for Cooler Months

Testing for radon in warmer days is also a preparatory and preventive measure for the cooler months ahead. As the temperature drops, homes become more sealed to retain heat, which leads to increased indoor radon levels. By identifying and addressing radon issues during summer, you can ensure that your home is safe before the winter season. Plus, during winter, ventilation is also reduced, which is why it gets easier for radon to accumulate. Thus, early detection and mitigation of radon not only enhance indoor air quality but also give you peace of mind that your home will remain safe and healthy even during winter.

Ideal Time for Home Maintenance

If you have plans for home maintenance, summer is the best time for that. Now that you’re already maintaining your home, you should also test it for radon. The longer days and generally more favorable weather conditions in Colorado give you excellent opportunities for radon testing and mitigation as part of your maintenance tasks. Whether you’re sealing cracks, improving ventilation, or upgrading insulation, all of these work as major tasks for radon mitigation. Plus, addressing radon levels during summer ensures a comfortable living environment, leading to a well-maintained and secure home.

Proactive Health Measures

Summer also means vacations. Who sits at home during vacations? I prefer outdoor activities, and I am sure you do, too. Also, most of the time, you focus on healthy eating and overall wellness during summer, and thus, it is the ideal time to consider the safety of your indoor environment. Radon testing is definitely a simple step, but it is also a very crucial step in preventing long-term health risks, such as lung cancer. FYI, the EPA categorizes radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It’s estimated that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths happen because of radon.

This fact underscores the importance of radon testing during summer, ensuring that your living space is safe and healthy.
If you want to know more about seasonal changes and radon levels then click here.

Conclusion

Radon levels are higher in winter than in summer. This is why it is better to conduct the tests in summer to better understand high radon levels.

Radon testing is a very simple process that can be done using a radon test kit or hiring a professional (this one is recommended). You can buy a radon test kit from any hardware store near your house or get it online. The kit will include a detector and instructions.

After this, you need to place the test kit in the lowest lived-in area of your house, such as the basement or ground-level room. Make sure it is away from high humidity, drafts, and direct sunlight.

Once done, follow the instructions with the kit to ensure proper placement and duration of the test. Usually, it takes between 2 and 90 days to complete a radon test. The duration depends on the test’s type. After the testing period, you can send the kit to a laboratory for analysis.

If you hire a professional to do a radon test, you can get a more comprehensive assessment and recommend solutions if elevated radon levels are detected.

Don’t leave your family’s health to chance—take proactive steps to protect your loved ones from radon exposure. GreenWorks Inspections offers expert radon testing services that provide accurate, reliable results to give you peace of mind. Our state-of-the-art equipment and experienced professionals ensure thorough testing and comprehensive solutions. Contact us today to schedule your radon test and safeguard your home against this hidden threat. Your safety is our top priority!