Radon is one of the most dangerous household hazards you can’t see, smell, or taste — yet it’s present in homes across the country, including right here in Western North Carolina. The good news is that radon exposure is entirely preventable with proper testing and mitigation. In this article, we’ll explore why radon mitigation is so important, how it works, and what homeowners in Hendersonville and Asheville, NC can do to keep their families safe.
What Is Radon and Why Is It Dangerous?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It seeps upward through the ground and can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces, sump pits, and even construction joints. Once inside, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in areas with limited ventilation.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for roughly 21,000 deaths each year. The risk is even higher for smokers or those exposed to secondhand smoke, but anyone can develop radon-induced health issues after prolonged exposure.
Unlike other environmental hazards, radon gives no warning signs. You can live with elevated radon levels for years without realizing it — which makes radon testing and mitigation essential for every homeowner.
How Radon Enters Your Home
Radon gas moves from the soil into the home through the path of least resistance. Common entry points include:
- Cracks in foundation slabs or basement floors
- Gaps around service pipes and electrical conduits
- Floor drains and sump pump openings
- Crawl spaces with exposed soil
- Construction joints and wall cracks
Because radon is heavier than air, it tends to collect in lower levels of a home — basements, crawl spaces, and ground floors are especially vulnerable. Even well-sealed or newly constructed homes are not immune. In fact, newer homes can sometimes have higher radon levels because they’re built to be more energy efficient, which limits natural ventilation.
The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is through a professional radon test. If testing reveals levels above the EPA’s recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, mitigation is the next crucial step.
What Is Radon Mitigation?
Radon mitigation is the process of reducing radon gas concentrations inside a building to safe levels. The goal is to prevent the gas from entering the home and safely vent any that does.
The most common and effective method is sub-slab depressurization, which involves installing a system of PVC piping and a continuously operating radon fan. The fan draws radon gas from beneath the home’s foundation and vents it outside, well above the roofline, where it quickly dissipates into the air.
In homes with crawl spaces, a similar system known as sub-membrane depressurization is used. A heavy-duty vapor barrier covers the soil, and the fan draws air from beneath the barrier, venting it outside.
Every mitigation system is custom-designed to fit the home’s foundation type, soil conditions, and radon test results. When properly installed and maintained, these systems can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99%.
Why Radon Mitigation Is So Important
1. Protects Your Family’s Health
Radon exposure is directly linked to lung cancer. Long-term exposure to even moderate levels can damage lung tissue, increasing the risk over time. By installing a radon mitigation system, you significantly reduce your family’s risk of developing radon-related health issues. For families with children or elderly members, the need for clean indoor air is even more critical.
2. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Radon mitigation systems don’t just remove radon — they also help ventilate soil gases, which can include moisture and other contaminants. This can lead to better air quality, reduced humidity, and fewer odors in basements and crawl spaces.
3. Adds Long-Term Home Value
Homes with active radon mitigation systems are viewed as safer and more desirable by buyers. In many real estate transactions, radon testing is part of the inspection process. A professionally installed mitigation system can make your property stand out and prevent last-minute delays during closing.
4. Peace of Mind
Knowing your home has been tested and protected against radon gives you confidence that your indoor environment is safe. With proper maintenance and retesting every two years, your system will continue to protect your home for decades.
Radon and Real Estate Transactions
Radon can play a major role in buying or selling a home. In North Carolina, it’s common for real estate agents and home inspectors to recommend radon testing as part of the inspection process. If elevated levels are found, buyers often request that the seller install a mitigation system before closing.
Rather than viewing this as a setback, sellers can use a radon mitigation system as a selling point. It shows prospective buyers that the home has been professionally tested and that long-term health and safety have been prioritized.
For buyers, requesting a radon test ensures you’re not moving into a home with hidden air quality risks. A system installed before move-in means you start with a safe, healthy environment from day one.
EPA Guidelines for Safe Radon Levels
The EPA action level for radon is 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). However, the agency also recommends that homeowners consider mitigation for levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, as no level of radon exposure is completely risk-free.
Professional mitigators follow the EPA’s Radon Mitigation Standards (RMS) to ensure systems are properly designed, labeled, and tested for effectiveness. After installation, a post-mitigation test is required within 30 days to verify that radon levels have been successfully reduced.
🔗 You can reference these standards directly from the EPA’s official radon page.
What Happens During a Radon Mitigation Installation
Every home is unique, but the general process includes:
- Diagnostics and Planning:
Technicians determine the best suction point and pipe route for your foundation type. - Creating the Suction Point:
A hole is drilled into the slab or under the crawl space liner to collect radon gases. - Installing the Vent Piping and Fan:
PVC pipes are connected to a radon fan, which continuously draws gas out from below the home. - Sealing Cracks and Penetrations:
All visible foundation cracks and pipe openings are sealed with a durable urethane caulk. - System Testing and Labeling:
After installation, the system is labeled per EPA guidelines and a follow-up test confirms performance.
Properly installed systems are quiet, energy-efficient, and require very little maintenance aside from occasional fan checks or filter replacements.
Ongoing Maintenance and Retesting
A radon mitigation system is designed to last for many years, but routine maintenance helps ensure peak performance. Homeowners should:
- Check the fan operation periodically — the fan should run continuously.
- Inspect the system labels and vent pipes for damage or wear.
- Retest for radon every two years or after major renovations, as changes to the foundation or ventilation can affect radon levels.
Many professional mitigators offer annual inspections or service plans to keep systems performing effectively.
Radon in Western North Carolina
Counties like Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania, and Polk are considered moderate to high-risk radon zones by the North Carolina Radon Program. The region’s geology and soil composition make radon more prevalent in both older homes and new construction.
Because radon levels vary greatly from one home to the next, testing every house—even those in the same neighborhood—is critical. Two identical homes built side by side can have dramatically different radon readings depending on soil conditions and foundation design.
If testing reveals elevated radon levels, prompt mitigation is the most reliable way to protect your home and your health.
Choosing a Professional Radon Mitigation Company
When selecting a contractor, look for:
- Experience and certification: Choose a company that follows EPA or state standards for radon mitigation.
- Customized solutions: Every home is different — avoid one-size-fits-all approaches.
- Post-installation testing: Ensure the company includes retesting as part of the service.
- Warranty and follow-up: A reputable installer stands behind their work and offers maintenance support.
At [Your Company Name], our team has over 20 years of combined experience designing and installing EPA-compliant radon mitigation systems. We proudly serve homeowners across Hendersonville, Asheville, and surrounding North Carolina counties, helping families breathe easier and live safer.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait to Protect Your Home from Radon
Radon is a serious health threat, but with professional testing and mitigation, it’s one you can control. Whether you’re buying a home, selling one, or simply want to ensure your family’s safety, taking action today can prevent long-term health risks tomorrow.
If you haven’t tested your home yet, start with a professional radon test. And if your results are above safe limits, contact our experts for radon mitigation services in Hendersonville and Asheville, NC. Together, we’ll make your home a healthier, safer place to live.