Will a Dehumidifier Help With Radon in Your Home?

Most people already know that radon is a dangerous phenomenon in your home or workplace, but it’s not always an easy problem to deal with. First, detecting it is challenging, as testing is the only way to do so. Many homeowners get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and they forget to test for radon at least every two years. You may wonder whether or not a dehumidifier will help with radon in your home—follow along to learn more.

Humidity and Radon Levels

You may or may not already know that radon is a naturally occurring gas from the decay of uranium in rocks and soil, but many people are unsure of its direct impact on their homes. Even though you can’t see, smell, or taste it, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.

Interestingly, stormy weather may lead to temporarily higher radon levels within your home. Although it may result from pressure, humidity may also play a role. There isn’t a direct answer as to whether humidity impacts radon levels; however, experts assert that humid environments tend to harbor higher measures of radon gas.

Does a Dehumidifier Lower Radon Levels?

If your home is relatively moist and you have high radon levels, you might be wondering if using a dehumidifier will also lower your radon levels. While this is a great thought, it may not do as much as you think it will. Using a dehumidifier may reduce radon levels slightly, but probably not enough to bring your household down to safe levels. Furthermore, the reduction most likely won’t be as sustainable as seeking radon abatement services and devices.

Running a Dehumidifier During a Test

Radon testing is crucial to ensure safety, but many factors may skew the results. You can use a small standalone unit during the radon test, but you should avoid larger dehumidifiers, fans, and air movers, as airflow can reduce radon measures temporarily. If you want the most accurate results possible, you should close your home for two to four days without air going in or out. Even though it’s not feasible for many people, leaving your home during this period is the best way to ensure reliable results.

Now that you know whether a dehumidifier will help with radon in your home, you’ll learn how to decide what actions to take. Radon isn’t something anyone wants to deal with, but it’s very common, no matter your location and home type.