“If radon had a personality, it would be that houseguest who sneaks in, never pays rent, and quietly causes problems while pretending it doesn’t exist.”

As a New Hampshire Home Inspector, I’ve heard just about every radon myth imaginable.

• “I don’t have a basement.”
• “My neighbor’s house tested fine.”
• “My spiders are still alive.”
• “I open my windows.”

Unfortunately, radon doesn’t care.

Let’s separate fact from fiction and answer some of the most common questions people search for online.

First… What Exactly Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas created when uranium slowly breaks down in the soil beneath your home.

Don’t panic—the uranium has been there for millions of years.

The problem is that radon gas can seep through:

• Foundation cracks
• Concrete slabs
• Sump pits
• Utility penetrations
• Crawl spaces
• Even tiny gaps around pipes

You can’t see it.

You can’t smell it.

You can’t taste it.

It’s basically the ninja of home hazards.

Why Is Radon Such a Big Deal?

Here’s the part that isn’t funny.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked.

The good news?

Testing is easy.

Mitigation systems work extremely well.

Knowing your radon level gives you the ability to fix a problem before it affects your family’s health.

Myth #1: “My House Doesn’t Have a Basement, So I Don’t Need Radon Testing.”

Verdict: False.

This is probably the most common misconception.

Radon doesn’t specifically target basements.

It enters wherever your home touches the ground.

That includes:

• Homes built on slabs
• Crawlspaces
• Walk-out foundations
• Split-level homes
• Even homes with partial basements

If the first floor sits directly over the soil, radon can enter.

We’ve found elevated radon levels in plenty of beautiful slab-on-grade homes throughout New Hampshire.

No basement? No problem…for radon.

Myth #2: “I Have Lots of Spiders, So I Must Not Have Radon.”

Verdict: False (and honestly…where did this one come from?)

This myth has floated around the internet for years. Some home inspectors actually believe this one, too!

The theory claims spiders can’t survive in homes with elevated radon.

Unfortunately, spiders never got the memo.

Spiders are excellent at surviving almost everywhere.

They don’t carry tiny Geiger counters.

If your basement looks like it belongs in a Halloween movie, that tells us absolutely nothing about radon levels.

The only thing your spiders are testing is your willingness to clean corners.

Myth #3: “My Neighbor’s Radon Test Was Low, So My House Is Safe.”

Verdict: Absolutely not.

This one surprises many homeowners.

Radon levels can vary dramatically from one house to the next—even if the homes are:

• Right next door
• Built by the same builder
• The exact same floor plan
• Built in the same year

Think of the soil beneath your home like Swiss cheese.

Radon follows tiny pathways underground.

One home might measure 0.8 pCi/L.

The house next door could measure 29.5 pCi/L.

The only radon result that matters for your home… is the one taken inside your home.

Myth #4: “If I Open My Windows, the Radon Goes Away.”

Verdict: Kind of…but not really.

Opening windows usually lowers radon temporarily because it increases ventilation.

But unless you plan to:

• Leave every window open…
• Every day…
• In January…
• During a New Hampshire blizzard…

…it’s not a permanent solution.

Once the windows close, radon often returns to its previous level.

A properly installed radon mitigation system works year-round without requiring you to heat the outdoors.

Your heating bill will appreciate that.

Myth #5: “My House Is Brand New, So I Don’t Need Radon Testing.”

Verdict: Nope.

Radon doesn’t care when your house was built.

In fact, newer homes can sometimes have higher radon levels because they’re built to be more energy efficient and airtight.

That’s fantastic for heating costs.

It’s not so fantastic if radon becomes trapped inside.

Whether your home is:

• 3 months old
• 30 years old
• 130 years old

…it should still be tested.

So…Who Should Test for Radon?

Pretty much everyone.

If you’re:

✅ Buying a home

✅ Selling a home

✅ Living in your forever home

✅ Building a new home

✅ Haven’t tested in several years

…it makes sense to test.

Radon levels can even change over time due to weather patterns, renovations, settling foundations, or changes in how your home ventilates.

The Bottom Line

Radon isn’t something to fear—but it is something to take seriously.

Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest environmental hazards to identify and one of the easiest to correct.

Don’t rely on myths.

Don’t rely on your neighbor’s test.

And definitely don’t rely on your spiders.

Spend a couple of days testing instead.

Your lungs will thank you—even if your spiders never do.

Need Radon Testing in New Hampshire?

At Premier Home Inspection Services, we provide professional radon testing throughout Southern and Central New Hampshire using calibrated continuous radon monitors that meet current industry standards. Learn more here.

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling your current one, or simply want peace of mind, we’re here to help you make informed decisions—not scary ones.

Because when it comes to radon, the best surprise is finding out you don’t have a problem.

Other helpful articles:
Understanding Acceptable Radon Levels in New Hampshire
Radon Can Be in Your Water Too?
Why Radon Testing in NH Matters (and Why You Want an Independent Home Inspector on Your Side)