Home Inspection Radon Test
But don’t panic—just do a simple test
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, naturally occurring in almost all soils. Longterm exposure can cause lung cancer. Radon is also unpredictable. One house may have sky-high levels, while the house next door is nearly radon-free. Levels are usually highest in basements, but homes without basements aren’t immune. Even in low-radon regions, a few homes have dangerous levels. So testing is the only way to know if your home is safe.
- Cover soil in crawl spaces with 6-mil plastic sheeting. Run the sheeting up foundation walls, then fasten and seal it at the top.
- Install an airtight cover on the sump pump basin.
- Caulk around pipes or wiring that penetrates walls or floors.
- Caulk cracks in concrete floors and basement walls. You can also seal concrete floors with coatings, but researchers disagree about the effectiveness of this.
How it gets in—and how to block it
Most radon enters homes through gaps and cracks. So sealing entry points is the best first step. Then test again. In most cases, sealing won’t yield major results. But it may lower radon levels that are slightly elevated and will make a fan-powered mitigation system more effective.
3 ways to test
Test in the lowest area of your home that’s occupied at least 8 to 10 hours per week. If, for example, your basement is used only for storage, test on the main floor. If the results are 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter) or higher, take steps to lower radon levels.
- SHORT-TERM TESTS (around $20) are less accurate than longer tests and are used mostly for quick results before a home sale. Most consist of a charcoal canister that you expose for a few days then send to a lab.
- LONG-TERM TESTS (around $25) are conducted like short tests. But the longer time period (90 days or more) provides results that aren’t skewed by daily weather fluctuations.
- CONTINUOUS TESTING MONITORS constantly measure radon levels and display a running average. Monitors cost around $130 online.
The ultimate solution
A radon mitigation system consists of a special fan and plastic pipes. The fan draws radon and other gases from under concrete floors and exhausts them outside. The pipes and fan can be mounted inside your home or out. These systems typically cost $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the difficulty of installation. Your state radon office can provide a list of qualified contractors.