Radon Testing: Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Radon is a radioactive gas that causes cancer. Although you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it still may be lurking in your home causing major health concerns. For this reason, it is crucial that you do a home radon test to make sure that you and your family are not at risk from exposure.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the EPA. Testing your home is the only way to know if you have dangerous levels of radon. It is recommended that all floors below the third be tested.

There are a couple of different options for radon testing; you can purchase a home radon test kit or you can hire a professional. If you are living in a home that you are not sure when it was last radon tested or you just want to have some piece of mind, a do it yourself radon testing kit will suffice just fine.

Professional radon tests are most commonly used when you are going to buy or sell a home and need accurate, documented radon levels in order to complete the transaction. Or, if you used a home radon test and would like to confirm the results with a professional, this is also an option.

The radon testing cost will vary depending on whether you choose to do a home test or hire a professional.

Do it Yourself Radon Testing

You can purchase a home radon test online or from your local home center or hardware store. You can expect that the radon testing cost will be between $10-$40 depending on the kit. Some states offer low-cost or even free radon testing kits, you can contact your state’s radon office to find out more.

Each kit will have included instructions, but in general this is the protocol you will follow to test your home for radon:

Testing should begin only after all doors and windows in your home have been closed for at least twelve hours.
You will then place the radon detector in the lowest livable area of your home and leave it alone for the next 48-96 hours.
After the recommended time is up, you will then immediately package and send the detector to the lab specified on your kit to be tested. Results will be delivered back to you.

Do-it-yourself radon testing is easy to do, affordable and highly accurate. This is a great choice for most homeowners to make sure that their home is not emitting dangerous, cancer causing gas that could harm their family.

Professional Radon Testing

Professional radon testing involves a nationally or state trained and certified radon specialist coming to your home and performing the test for you. Professional radon inspection is often included in a home inspection and will cost around $150 on top of the home inspection cost.

If done separately, you can expect to pay upwards of $250 for this professional service. The most important thing is that you know and understand your home’s radon levels to make sure that you are not being exposed to this potentially deadly gas.