If you’ve just moved into a newly built home in Iowa or Nebraska, radon might be the last thing on your mind. After all, your house is brand new — no cracks, no water problems, no mold. So it should be safe from radon too, right?
Not quite.
Radon can still enter brand-new homes, even those built to the latest construction standards. And because our region has some of the highest radon levels in the country, it’s especially important not to ignore the risk just because your home is new.
Let’s take a closer look at how radon can sneak into modern homes and what you can do about it.
What Is Radon Again?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and radioactive gas that forms naturally in the soil from the breakdown of uranium and other radioactive materials. It rises from the ground and can enter buildings through:
- Cracks in foundation walls or floors
- Gaps around plumbing or utility lines
- Sump pits and floor drains
- Crawl spaces and unfinished basements
Since it’s radioactive, long-term exposure to radon is harmful. It’s actually the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. — and the leading cause among non-smokers.
Why New Homes Are Still at Risk
Even if your home is new, it likely sits on the same kind of radon-heavy soil that older homes do. Here’s how radon still finds a way in:
1. Tight Construction = More Trapped Air
New homes are built to be energy efficient, with better insulation and air sealing. While that’s great for your utility bill, it also means less air exchange — and more potential for radon gas to get trapped inside.
2. Radon Can Pass Through Modern Materials
Materials like concrete, drywall, and insulation are no match for radon. The gas molecules are so small, they can pass through most building materials, not just cracks or open areas.
3. New Homes Still Settle
Even brand-new foundations develop small cracks over time. It doesn’t take a big hole for radon to enter — hairline fractures can be enough to let the gas in.
4. Basements and Slabs Create Suction
Homes with basements or slab-on-grade construction often create a natural vacuum effect, pulling soil gases like radon up from the ground. That suction effect can exist no matter how new the home is.
Radon-Resistant Doesn’t Mean Radon-Free
Some new homes are built with radon-resistant features, especially in high-risk areas like Iowa and eastern Nebraska. That might include:
- Gravel and plastic sheeting under the slab
- Sealed sump pits
- Passive venting systems (PVC pipe vents)
But without a fan-powered mitigation system, passive systems don’t always keep radon levels below the EPA action threshold of 4.0 pCi/L. That’s why testing is still essential, even in radon-resistant homes.
What You Can Do
If you’re in a newer home and haven’t had a radon test yet, here’s what we recommend:
- Schedule a professional radon test to get accurate results.
- Install a mitigation system if your radon levels are at or above 4.0 pCi/L.
- Retest every two years or after major renovations to stay protected.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we’re licensed for radon mitigation in both Iowa and Nebraska. We design systems that are not only effective, but also discreet and visually unobtrusive.
Don’t Wait — Test Your New Home Today
A beautiful, energy-efficient new home is something to be proud of. But without radon testing, there’s a hidden risk you can’t see or smell.
If you live in Iowa, Nebraska, or the greater Omaha area, get in touch with the radon experts at Jerry’s Waterproofing. We’ll help you protect your home and your family — no matter how new your house is.
Contact us today to schedule your radon test or mitigation service.