Radon is an invisible gas that naturally forms in soil and rock. It’s radioactive, dangerous at high levels, and found in homes across Iowa and Nebraska. Many people assume radon stays in basements, but that’s not how it works. Radon can move throughout a home—yes, even to upper floors and rooms with no direct contact with the ground.
If you’ve ever wondered “Does radon rise or fall?” or “Can radon get into my upstairs bedrooms?”—this post is for you.
What Is Radon and Where Does It Come From?
Radon forms when uranium in the soil breaks down. It seeps into homes through cracks, gaps, or porous building materials like concrete. Since it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, you won’t notice it’s there unless you test for it.
Does Radon Rise or Fall?
Radon is technically heavier than air, so people assume it sinks and stays in low areas. While that’s partly true, air movement inside your home plays a bigger role in how radon travels.
Here’s how radon spreads upward:
- Air pressure differences between the ground and your home can pull radon in.
- Stack effect: Warm air rises, creating suction that draws radon up from the basement.
- HVAC systems can circulate radon-laced air throughout the house.
So yes—radon can and does move from your basement to the upstairs areas, even if the upstairs rooms seem well-ventilated or far from the ground.
Can Radon Reach the Second Floor or Bedrooms?
Absolutely. Radon doesn’t stay neatly contained in the basement or crawl space. As air moves naturally through stairwells, vents, or ductwork, radon can move with it. We’ve seen homes where the highest radon levels were in main-floor bedrooms or second-story nurseries.
This is especially important if you or your family members spend a lot of time upstairs. Just because the basement isn’t often used doesn’t mean your health is out of harm’s way.
Do Homes Without Basements Still Have Radon?
Yes—even homes without basements can have radon problems. Slab-on-grade foundations, crawl spaces, and even new builds are not immune. Radon can come up through:
- Cracks in the slab
- Gaps around plumbing
- Openings in sump pits or floor joints
The misconception that “no basement = no radon” is a risky one. Radon comes from the soil, not the room itself.
You Can’t “Guess” If You Have a Radon Problem
There’s no way to know your home’s radon level without a test. You can’t smell it, see it, or feel its effects until it’s too late.
And because radon levels can change due to weather, ventilation, or even time of year, you can’t rely on your neighbor’s test results or assume your home is “probably fine.” Every home is different—even ones on the same block.
How to Test and What to Do If You Have High Levels
There are two types of radon tests:
- Short-term tests (2–7 days): Good for a quick check.
- Long-term tests (90+ days): Better for understanding seasonal patterns.
If your results are 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends radon mitigation. In Iowa and Nebraska, where average levels are far above the national average, mitigation is often the safest move.
Jerry’s Waterproofing: Radon Mitigation You Can Trust
If you’re in Iowa or Nebraska and need radon mitigation, Jerry’s Waterproofing is fully licensed in both states. Our team installs discreet, effective radon systems that pull radon out from below your home and vent it safely outside.
We know radon, we know how it moves through your home, and we know how to keep your family safe.
Worried about how radon moves through your home?
Let us test your levels and recommend a solution. Contact Jerry’s Waterproofing today for radon mitigation services in Omaha, Council Bluffs, Lincoln, and beyond.