How Do You Do a Radon Test?: A Comprehensive Guide

Performing a radon test involves carefully following specific instructions and protocols to ensure accurate results, ultimately revealing the radon levels in your home or building. This typically involves using a testing kit, placing it in a designated area for a specified period, and then sending it to a lab for analysis. Understanding the process is crucial for protecting your health and ensuring your home is safe.

Understanding Radon and Its Risks

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that forms when uranium decays in soil, rock, and water. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it undetectable without specialized testing. Radon can seep into homes and buildings through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors, as well as through gaps around pipes and cables.

Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s estimated that radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. This makes testing for radon a vital step in maintaining a healthy living environment. The EPA recommends that all homes be tested, regardless of location or age.

Choosing the Right Radon Test

Several types of radon tests are available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the appropriate test depends on your needs and timeline. Here’s an overview:

Short-Term Radon Tests

Short-term tests are the most common and convenient way to screen for radon. They measure radon levels over a period of 2 to 90 days. They are ideal for quickly assessing radon levels and determining if further action is needed. There are two main types of short-term tests:

• Activated Charcoal Adsorption: This test involves placing a canister or packet containing activated charcoal in your home for a specific period. The charcoal absorbs radon gas, and the canister is then sent to a lab for analysis.
• Liquid Scintillation: This test involves a vial containing a liquid that reacts with radon gas. The vial is placed in your home, and then sent to a lab for analysis.

Long-Term Radon Tests

Long-term tests measure radon levels over a period of 90 days to one year. They provide a more accurate assessment of average radon levels, as they account for variations due to weather and seasonal changes. These tests are particularly useful if you want a comprehensive understanding of radon exposure in your home. An alpha track detector is commonly used for long-term testing. It consists of a plastic film that records alpha particles emitted by radon.

Professional Radon Testing

While DIY kits are readily available, hiring a certified radon professional offers several advantages. They possess the expertise to conduct accurate tests, interpret results, and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies. Professionals use sophisticated equipment and adhere to strict protocols, ensuring reliable results. They can also diagnose potential entry points and provide tailored solutions. Check with your state radon program for a list of certified professionals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a DIY Radon Test

Performing a DIY radon test requires careful adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions. The following steps provide a general guideline:

1. Purchase a Radon Test Kit: Choose the type of test that best suits your needs – short-term or long-term – and purchase it from a reputable supplier. Ensure the kit is certified by a recognized organization.
2. Prepare the Testing Area: Close all windows and exterior doors for 12 hours before starting the test and during the entire testing period. Avoid operating fans or ventilation systems that draw air from outside. Place the test kit in the lowest livable level of your home (e.g., basement, first floor). This is usually the area where you spend the most time.
3. Position the Test Kit: Place the test kit at least 20 inches above the floor and away from walls, corners, drafts, and direct sunlight. Do not place it in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or other areas with high humidity.
4. Record the Start Date and Time: Note the date and time you begin the test on the provided information sheet or directly on the test kit itself.
5. Maintain Closed-House Conditions: Keep windows and exterior doors closed throughout the testing period. Avoid any activities that could disturb the test, such as moving furniture or cleaning near the test kit.
6. End the Test: After the specified testing period, seal the test kit according to the instructions. Record the end date and time.
7. Mail the Test Kit to the Lab: Promptly mail the test kit to the designated laboratory for analysis. Include the completed information sheet with your payment, if required.

Understanding Your Radon Test Results

After the lab analyzes your test kit, you will receive a report indicating the radon level in your home. Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

• EPA Action Level: The EPA recommends taking action to mitigate radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L.
• Lowering Radon Levels: Even if your radon level is below 4 pCi/L, the EPA suggests considering mitigation if it is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
• Interpreting Results: The report will also provide information on how to interpret the results and what steps to take next.

Radon Mitigation: What to Do if Your Levels Are High

If your radon test results indicate elevated levels, radon mitigation is necessary. Mitigation systems are designed to reduce radon levels by venting the gas outside your home.

Common Mitigation Techniques

• Subslab Depressurization: This is the most common and effective mitigation technique. It involves installing a PVC pipe through the foundation and using a fan to draw radon gas from beneath the slab and vent it outside.
• Submembrane Depressurization: This is used in crawl spaces. A plastic membrane is sealed over the crawl space floor, and a fan draws radon gas from beneath the membrane and vents it outside.
• Block Wall Depressurization: This is used when radon enters through hollow block walls. A fan draws radon gas from inside the walls and vents it outside.

Hiring a certified radon mitigation professional is crucial for installing an effective system. They will assess your home, determine the most appropriate mitigation technique, and ensure the system is properly installed and functioning correctly.

FAQs About Radon Testing

FAQ 1: How much does a radon test cost?

The cost of a DIY radon test kit typically ranges from $20 to $50. Professional radon testing can cost between $150 and $800, depending on the complexity of the test and the location.

FAQ 2: How long does it take to get radon test results?

Results from a short-term radon test are typically available within a few days to a week after the lab receives the test kit. Long-term test results take longer, corresponding to the duration of the test itself, plus the time for lab analysis.

FAQ 3: Where is the best place to put a radon test kit?

The best place to put a radon test kit is in the lowest livable level of your home, such as the basement or first floor. It should be placed at least 20 inches above the floor, away from walls, corners, drafts, and direct sunlight.

FAQ 4: Can I do a radon test myself, or should I hire a professional?

You can perform a radon test yourself using a DIY kit. However, hiring a certified radon professional ensures accurate testing and expert interpretation of the results. Professionals use calibrated equipment and follow strict protocols.

FAQ 5: How often should I test for radon?

The EPA recommends testing your home for radon every two years. You should also test after making any renovations or structural changes to your home, such as installing new windows or sealing cracks in the foundation.

FAQ 6: Does radon testing need to be done in cold weather?

While radon levels can be higher in cold weather due to closed-house conditions, radon testing can be done year-round. However, it is essential to maintain closed-house conditions during the test, regardless of the weather.

FAQ 7: Can radon levels fluctuate in my home?

Yes, radon levels can fluctuate due to weather conditions, seasonal changes, and ventilation patterns. Long-term tests provide a more accurate assessment of average radon levels, accounting for these fluctuations.

FAQ 8: Do new homes need to be tested for radon?

Yes, all homes should be tested for radon, regardless of age. Even new homes can have elevated radon levels. Many states now require radon-resistant construction techniques in new homes, but testing is still recommended.

FAQ 9: Can I open windows after a radon test if the level is low?

Yes, you can resume normal ventilation after completing the radon test and receiving results that indicate acceptable levels.

FAQ 10: What happens if my neighbor has high radon levels?

Radon levels vary from house to house, even within the same neighborhood. Your neighbor’s radon levels do not necessarily indicate that you have high levels as well. It’s crucial to test your own home to determine your radon risk.

FAQ 11: Can radon in water be a problem?

Yes, radon can be present in well water and can be released into the air when the water is used. If you have a private well, you should test your water for radon in addition to testing the air in your home.

FAQ 12: Does a home inspection include radon testing?

A standard home inspection typically does not include radon testing. Radon testing is usually a separate service. Be sure to specifically request radon testing when arranging for a home inspection.