Radon Testing

Indoor radon testing requires that the following conditions be maintained for 12 hours prior to, and during the testing: ■ All windows on all levels of the home must be kept closed. ■ All exterior doors must be kept closed except for momentary entrance and exit. ■ The thermostat should be set to “heat” or “cool”, with the fan on “auto”, and with the temperature set to between 65° and 80° Fahrenheit. This must be maintained during the entire test period. ■ Dryers, range hoods, and bathroom fans may be operated normally, but not continuously. ■ Whole house fans, window fans, and fireplaces/wood burning stoves should not be operated during the test. ■ Window fans should be sealed or removed. ■ Fireplace dampers should be closed. ■ If a fireplace/wood burning stove is the “primary” source of heat for the home, it may be operated. ■ Window air conditioners can be used, but only if they can be set on “re-circulate”. ■ DO NOT DISTURB, MOVE, OR INTERFERE WITH THE RADON TESTING DEVICE.

Approximately 2 days (48 to 52 hours)

The radon testing device will be placed in the lowest livable portion of the home that could be occupied. If your home has an unfinished basement that has the potential to be occupied, the test will be placed there. If your home is built on a concrete slab or crawl space foundation, the test will be placed on the lowest livable floor.

Most homes only require one test device to be placed on the lowest livable level of the home. If your home has multiple levels, such as a four-level split, basement with a crawl space, or if the foundation is more than 2,000 square feet, we recommend that you test multiple locations. Test each level of the home that is in contact with the ground. If your home has a crawl space, test in the room above the crawl space rather than in the crawl space itself.

In order to ensure accurate test results, closed home condition protocols should be closely adhered to. Closed home protocols include: ■ All windows on all levels of the home must be kept closed. ■ All exterior doors must be kept closed except for momentary entrance and exit. ■ The thermostat should be set to “heat” or “cool”, with the fan on “auto”, and with the temperature set to between 65° and 80° Fahrenheit. This must be maintained during the entire test period. ■ Dryers, range hoods, and bathroom fans may be operated normally, but not continuously. ■ Whole house fans, window fans, and fireplaces/wood burning stoves should not be operated during the test. ■ Window fans should be sealed or removed. ■ Fireplace dampers should be closed. ■ If a fireplace/wood burning stove is the “primary” source of heat for the home, it may be operated. ■ Window air conditioners can be used, but only if they can be set on “re-circulate”. ■ DO NOT DISTURB, MOVE, OR INTERFERE WITH THE RADON TESTING DEVICE.

We offer DIY test kits that include an expert analysis report by email as well as a free consultation with a certified ALARA radon professional to review & explain your test results. If your home is being tested as part of a real estate transaction, we recommend ALARA professional testing with an active Continuous Radon Monitor capable of recording hourly measurement and environmental data.

Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds. The U.S. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home if measured radon levels are between 2.0 pCi/L and 4.0 pCi/L.