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Can the stack effect pull significant radon to the main floor?

AlanB4 | Posted in General Questions on

I’m not sure what my radon levels are with a dirt crawlspace and about 15ACH50, but i am curious if they are high can it end up upstairs in concentrations that are problematic?
I plan on testing it to find out and poly the crawlspace someday but just curious
Thanks

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Alan,
    Yes, radon can enter a crawl space from the soil. Since crawl space air can easily mix with air in the floors above, high radon levels in the crawl space can sometimes result in high radon levels on the floor (or floors) above.

    The main driving force for pulling radon into a home is the stack effect.

    The only way to know the radon level in your crawl space or the first floor of your house is to test it. For more information, see All About Radon.

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