How to Test For Radon Gas

Do you know your radon levels? You can check them yourself.

Buy radon test kits

You can find out by testing for radon gas yourself using a radon gas test kit. These kits are simple to use and accurate.

You simply purchase a radon test kit, place it in the lowest livable area of your home, let it sit for a few days, send it to the lab and get your results. 

Follow these steps:

    1. Buy a radon test kit
    2. Receive your radon kit in the mail
    3. Keep your home under closed house conditions for 24 hours prior to testing.
    4. Open the package; fill out your name, address and email.
    5. Very important: Remember to write the time and date you open the radon kit.
    6. Place the kit in the lowest livable area of the home. Follow the package instructions as to where exactly to place the radon test.
      1. Homes with footprints larger than 2500 should consider more than one test.
      2. If your home has multiple levels that are in contact with the ground or over a crawlspace, you should test each of those areas.
    7. Leave the radon test exposed to the air inside your home for 3-7 days. 
    8. Very important: Remember to write the time and date you seal the test kit up.
    9. Send the test back to the laboratory for analysis.
      1. Expedited shipping is recommended over standard shipping when sending back to lab.
      2. The lab will analyze the sample as soon as they receive it.
      3. The lab will email you a full radon measurement report.
    10. Receive your radon results and choose next step. 
      1. The United States EPA recommends correction if radon levels are greater than 4 pCi/L.
      2. The World Health Organization recommends correction if radon levels are greater than 2.7 pCi/L
      3. Many people who have radon results that are close to the action level choose to perform a follow-up radon test.

Why test for radon gas?

  • Radon is the number one cause for Lung Cancer for people who don't smoke!
  • According to the United States EPA, Radon kills 21,000 people per year.
    • According to the CDC, carbon monoxide kills 500 per year; significantly less than radon gas. Thanks to the common practice of having carbon monoxide detectors.
    • According to the CDC, mesothelioma causes ~2,500 deaths per year.
  • Radon testing is inexpensive
    • Most short-term radon test kits are less than $20 including lab analysis.
  • Don't fear the results! 
    • If your radon levels are low then you can BREATHE a sigh of relief
    • If your radon levels are elevated, a certified radon mitigation contractor can fix it.
      • Radon mitigation systems range from $1200-$1500 in most homes.
      • Radon systems are capable of keeping the radon levels near zero picocuries per liter.
      • The systems pull air from the soil under your home's foundation to extract the radon gas and vent it out above the roofline.