Understanding Radon & Why It’s a Risk to UK Homes
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms in the ground and can enter buildings through floors, walls, and other gaps. It is completely invisible, odourless, and tasteless, meaning it can only be detected through proper testing.
Once inside, radon can accumulate, particularly in well-insulated or airtight properties where natural ventilation is limited.
Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer after smoking - responsible for over 1000 lung cancer deaths per year in the UK - and because it builds up silently over time, many homeowners are unaware there is an issue until it is measured.
How Better Indoors Helps You Combat Radon
At Better Indoors, we provide an end-to-end service to help UK homeowners identify, understand, and resolve radon issues with confidence. This involves both radon testing and mitigation installations.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fixes. Instead, we take the time to understand how radon behaves in your home, so we can recommend the most effective and proportionate solution. This means:
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You only pay for what you actually need
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Your solution is designed for long-term performance
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Your overall indoor air quality is improved, not just patched
Not Sure Where To Start?
Don’t worry - knowing where to start is a common problem for homeowners. Our team are here to help you choose the right next step.
If You Haven’t Tested for Radon Yet
Start with radon testing to understand whether there is an issue and how significant it may be. For many homeowners, a passive test provides the clearest long-term picture of radon exposure within a property.
If You Need Faster Answers
Choose real-time monitoring if you want immediate readings, are buying or selling a property, have recently completed retrofit works, or want to track radon levels over time.
If You Already Know Your Radon Levels Are High
We can assess your property and recommend a tailored radon mitigation solution designed to reduce radon levels safely and effectively.
Our Radon Testing Services
The first step to tackling radon is understanding the levels within your property. At Better Indoors, we offer two types of radon testing depending on how quickly you need results and the level of detail required.
Passive Testing
Best For: Homeowners looking for an accurate long-term assessment of radon exposure.
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Supplied by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
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Carried out over a 3-month period in line with industry recommendations
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Provides an average reading across changing conditions throughout the year
Because radon levels can vary depending on weather, heating, ventilation, and how your property is used, long-term testing offers the most reliable indication of your typical exposure levels.
Real-Time Monitoring
Best For: Property sales, recent renovations, post-installation checks, or anyone wanting faster insights.
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Provides immediate and continuous radon readings
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Helps identify patterns, spikes, and peak exposure times
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Ideal for checking whether a mitigation system is performing effectively
If you’re unsure which option is best for your property, our team can help you decide based on your circumstances. Contact our team today.
What Happens if Radon Levels Are High?
If we identify high radon levels in your property, we follow a structured process to resolve the issue effectively. Here’s how this typically looks:
We carry out follow-up testing to confirm that radon levels have been successfully reduced to below the “Action Level” (an average annual concentration of 200 becquerels per cubic metre).
“Andrew at Better Indoors is extremely knowledgeable. If you need to improve your indoor air quality or manage radon levels (like we did), then he is definitely the person to talk to. Andrew is clearly a well-qualified and experienced practitioner in dealing with Radon and all things ventilation. Highly recommended.”
Better Indoors’ Radon Mitigation Solutions
At Better Indoors, we design and install targeted radon mitigation systems that address the problem at its source. The most effective approach depends on your property type and radon risk level, which is why we tailor every system we specify.
Positive Pressure Ventilation (PIV/Whole-Building Ventilation):
Loft Mounted Positive Pressure System with integrated Photohyodroionisation technology
Wall Mounted Positive Pressure System - Government House Jersey
Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a whole-house ventilation strategy specifically suited to retrofitting into existing UK homes. We use these systems to:
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Introduce fresh, filtered air into your property
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Create a gentle positive pressure throughout the building
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Reduce radon ingress by preventing ground gases from entering
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Continuously dilute and displace indoor radon concentrations
At Better Indoors, we have designed and installed over 10,000 PIV systems across the UK, achieving proven results and long-term reliability. However, correct specification is critical. Poorly designed systems are common in the industry, which is why we ensure every installation is engineered to perform as intended.
Radon Sump Extraction Systems
Radon sump at a domestic property in Derbyshire
Radon sump at a domestic property in Devon
Where ground conditions and construction allow, we install radon sump systems to tackle the problem at its source. These systems:
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Are installed beneath the property or within sub-floor voids
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Extract radon gas directly from the ground before it can enter the building
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Safely vent the gas outside, away from the property
The goal is simple: remove radon before it has a chance to accumulate indoors.
Sump extraction is often recommended as a default solution, but in our experience, it is not always sufficient on its own. That’s why we assess each property carefully and only recommend sump systems where they are genuinely effective.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the radon mitigation work completed in our house. The team installed two positive-pressure pumps and an extractor fan, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. The work was done in a very timely manner, and we were astonished to see our radon readings plummet from over 900 Bq/m³ to just 20 Bq/m³.
The installation was completed to an excellent standard. We feel so much safer in our home now and highly recommend Better Indoors to anyone in need of radon mitigation services.”
Read more reviewsWhy Choose Better Indoors
Choosing the right specialist is key to resolving radon issues properly. At Better Indoors, we combine technical expertise with a practical approach. Here’s why our clients love working with us:
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We are a member of the Radon Council, UK Radon Association, and Property Care Association.
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Our expert radon services are award-winning (H&V News Awards Building a Safer Future Award 2024).
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Over a decade of experience designing and installing radon mitigation systems across the UK, and a proven track record in high-radon regions like Bath, Brighton, and Devon.
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We offer remote design and consultation available for any UK location, so we can easily assess your needs wherever you may be based.
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We provide dedicated aftercare and post-installation radon gas testing, so you can trust that your systems are working as intended.
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