Radon in Plainfield: The Silent Danger Lurking Under Your Home

When you think of home safety, you probably think of smoke detectors, deadbolts, and maybe a security system. But in Plainfield and throughout Will County, one of the biggest risks to your family’s health is something you can’t see, smell, or taste.

It is called Radon.

At Norman Home Inspections, we treat Radon testing not as an “optional add-on,” but as a critical safety check. Here is why every home in our area needs to be tested.

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium in the soil. It rises up through the ground and enters your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around service pipes, and sump pump pits.

Once inside, it gets trapped. Because modern homes in Plainfield are built to be airtight for energy efficiency, the Radon builds up to dangerous concentrations inside the living space.

Why Plainfield? Why Illinois?

Unfortunately, geography is working against us. The EPA has designated Will County as a “Zone 1” area. This means we have the highest potential for elevated Radon levels in the country.

According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), nearly 40% of homes in Illinois have Radon levels above the EPA action limit. It doesn’t matter if your home is brand new, 100 years old, has a basement, or is on a slab. Radon does not discriminate.

The Health Risk

This isn’t just a minor irritant. The Surgeon General has warned that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today, surpassed only by smoking. It is responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths every year.

The only way to know if your family is breathing it is to test for it.

How We Test

The good news is that testing is easy, non-invasive, and affordable. At Norman Home Inspections, we use professional continuous monitoring equipment that provides fast, accurate results.

1. Placement: We place a small, unobtrusive monitor in the lowest livable level of your home (usually the basement).
2. The Wait: It stays there for 48 hours, taking hourly readings of the air quality to account for fluctuations in temperature and pressure.
3. The Result: You get a precise report showing the average exposure level.

If your level is below 4.0 pCi/L, you can breathe easy. If it is above 4.0, don’t panic—it can be fixed.

Radon Mitigation is Simple

If we find high levels, you can install a Radon Mitigation System. This is a simple vent pipe and fan system that sucks the gas from under your foundation and vents it harmlessly above your roof. It is a standard repair that typically costs between $1,200 and $1,800 in our area.

Don’t guess with your health. Whether you are buying a new home or have lived in Plainfield for 20 years, knowing your Radon number is essential.

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