5 Steps to Reduce Radon Levels in Your Home

Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can build up inside your home and pose serious health risks over time. In Fort Collins and throughout Colorado, radon is especially common due to local geology, making it important for homeowners to not only test for it but take action when elevated levels are found.
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If your home’s radon test shows levels at or above 4 pCi/L — the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action level — it’s time to act. Here are five effective steps that can help reduce radon levels and make your home safer.

1. Install a Professional Radon Mitigation System

The most reliable way to reduce high radon levels is to have a qualified radon mitigation system installed. These systems typically involve a vent pipe and fan that pull radon gas from beneath your home’s foundation and safely release it outside before it enters indoor air.
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A sub-slab depressurization system or active soil depressurization is often the most effective choice for homes in Fort Collins. After installation, retest your home to confirm radon levels have dropped.

Read : Are radon mitigation systems required in Colorado?

2. Seal Cracks and Gaps in Your Home’s Foundation

Radon enters your home primarily through tiny cracks and openings in your foundation and basement floor. Sealing these entry points with caulk or concrete patching materials won’t eliminate radon on its own, but it can significantly reduce infiltration and improve the performance of your mitigation system.
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Look for cracks around floor joints, wall-to-floor gaps, and openings around pipes or wiring. Professional installers will often include sealing as part of a comprehensive mitigation plan.

3. Improve Indoor Ventilation

Increasing airflow in your home helps dilute radon concentrations. Opening windows and using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens can temporarily reduce radon levels, especially in rooms with poor air circulation.
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While improved ventilation isn’t a substitute for a mitigation system, it’s a helpful complementary step for everyday radon management.

4. Use Crawl Space or Basement Ventilation Techniques

If your home has a crawl space or unfinished basement, consider installing ventilation specific to these areas. Covering dirt floors with thick plastic sheeting and running a vent fan can help draw radon-laden air out of these spaces before it enters living areas.
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In homes where traditional mitigation isn’t practical, targeted ventilating approaches can assist in lowering radon buildup.

5. Retest After Changes or Mitigation

After taking any steps to reduce radon — whether sealing cracks, improving ventilation, or installing a mitigation system — always retest your home to ensure your efforts are working. Radon levels can fluctuate with seasonal changes, renovations, or adjustments to your HVAC system, so periodic testing every 2–3 years is recommended.

Even after mitigation, it’s a good practice to test again to make sure levels remain low and your family stays protected.

Final Thoughts

Lowering radon levels in your home protects both your health and your peace of mind. If your tests show elevated levels, investing in a professional radon mitigation system and following these practical steps will help reduce radon exposure and create a healthier indoor environment for your family.

Have questions or need assistance? Contact Fort Collins Radon Mitigation to schedule testing or learn more about custom radon solutions for your home.

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