As summer winds down and kids head back to school, your home’s routines start shifting indoors. If your basement doubles as a bedroom, homework space, or hangout zone, now is the perfect time to test for radon. This naturally occurring gas is odorless, invisible, and dangerous in high concentrations, and August is your window to catch it before cooler weather traps it inside.
At '58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we help homeowners protect their families with proven radon mitigation systems that meet EPA standards and reduce exposure risks long-term. A quick test now can save you from worry later and help keep your basement safe all school year.
As the school year begins, many families shift their routines indoors. Basements become popular spots for after-school homework, video games, or even sleeping quarters for older kids. But with this increased use comes a hidden risk: radon exposure.
Radon is a health concern year-round, but it becomes especially important when living spaces are located on or below ground level. Children spending hours in finished basements are more vulnerable simply because radon tends to concentrate in these lower areas. And once fall arrives, the risk only grows as windows stay closed and natural ventilation decreases.
If your basement is part of your family’s daily routine, now is the time to make sure it’s safe. Testing for radon before the weather cools down gives you the chance to act early, so your kids can focus on school, not unseen dangers.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms underground when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Outdoors, it disperses harmlessly. But inside your home, especially in the basement, it can accumulate to dangerous levels without any visible signs.
Because radon rises from the ground, basements are the first place it enters. It seeps in through small cracks in your foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pits, and even exposed soil in crawl spaces. Once inside, radon gets trapped. This is especially true in basements with limited ventilation or tight construction.
You cannot see or smell radon, and many families never suspect it's there. But long-term exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., according to the EPA. That is why it is critical to test, especially if your basement is part of your family’s living space during the school year.
August offers the perfect conditions to test your basement for radon before fall routines set in. Temperatures are still warm, but many households are starting to close windows more often and use HVAC systems regularly. This creates a more accurate reflection of how your home will behave once it's sealed up for the cooler months ahead.
Once fall arrives and windows remain shut, radon levels can spike. Waiting too long may lead to delayed test results or exposure during the peak indoor season. Testing now gives you time to plan, install a mitigation system if needed, and enter the school year knowing your basement is safe.
If you have recently renovated your basement or increased its use, a fresh radon test is strongly recommended. Even homes with previous systems or past tests should be checked every two years, especially if your family spends more time downstairs during the school year.
If your test results show elevated radon levels, the solution is straightforward. A radon mitigation system is designed to safely vent the gas from beneath your home and direct it outside before it enters your living space. These systems are effective, quiet, and can typically be installed in just one day.
The most common method is sub-slab depressurization. This involves drilling a small hole in your basement slab, installing a pipe, and using a specialized fan to draw radon from beneath the home and vent it out through the roof or sidewall. Sealing foundation cracks and sump pump openings can also help reduce radon entry points.
At '58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we build every system to meet or exceed EPA guidelines. A Life-of-the-Structure Warranty backs our work, so you can feel confident your family is protected for the long haul.
Before the school year shifts your family into full routine, make sure your basement is ready, too. Whether it is used as a bedroom, study space, or game room, your lower level should be safe from invisible threats like radon gas.
At '58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we offer professional radon testing and mitigation with proven results. Our certified team will assess your home, explain your options, and install a system built to protect your family for years to come. If you are looking for a radon mitigation contractor near you, please schedule your free inspection today and let us help you start the school year with confidence.
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