What is radon?                                                 

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas resulting from the decay of uranium in the rocks, soil and ground of the earth. You cannot see, smell or taste radon but it may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Should you test for radon?

Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. It typically takes years of exposure before any health problems surface and then it may be too late. If you have a finished basement with an office, exercise room, bedroom, or living space, a radon test is strongly suggested. Even if you are purchasing a home with a radon mitigation system in place, an independent test can be performed to see that the system is working properly. If the home has an unfinished basement, and if you are considering finishing or enclosing the basement in the future, a radon test should be considered.

I do radon testing, but I do not perfrom radon mitigation, or system installations, as to avoid conflicts of interest. New radon laws, starting July 2011 in Kansas, will allow for testers to also install mitigation systems. Use caution when using companies that do both, as this may be a conflict of interest. Free radon testing may be offered by RE agents/office that allow you to do radon testing after closing, and give you free radon mitigation if radon is found. Things are always free for a reason; use caution. These free procedures are not regulated or fall under Kansas state radon testing laws/rules.

I have taken and completed the NACHI Radon Measurement Service Provider course, and the NEHA-NRPP national radon test. I am compliant with the new Kansas Radon Program when it takes effect July 1, 2011. Kansas testing #KS-MS-0027.

My pricing may be slightly higher than other testing companies. I use special, multiple radon test kits, and not electronic equipment, as to prevent testing failures/programming. See the "click here" link below that sends you to the testing company that I use, and for more radon information. The kits are placed in the center of the rooms tested, and not placed on shelves or furniture as some other test companies do. I over-night the kits to the lab in North Carolina for testing, with next day results.

I place at least two radon kits for testing, mostly all placed in basement areas, which are the lowest available living areas of a home. Homes with crawl spaces generally do not need radon testing, but under home crawl spaces should be properly vented in warm seasons, and plastic ground covering installed. Testing of the main living levels of a crawl space home can be considered by the buyer of a home with a crawl space. Close crawl space vents when outside air temperatures fall below 35 degrees. If you have a basement, running of a dehumidifier year round can keep basement areas dry. This inspector has even seen dehumidifiers operating in crawl spaces to help keep under home areas dry.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association and National Safety Council all recommend testing your home for radon.

Can you fix the problem?

If you find that your home has high radon levels, there are ways to reduce the concentrations. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Contact us for testing and more information.

Please note:  It takes 4-6 working days to receive the results of the radon test. Radon testing is only for the period of time noted on the test results. Radon measurements can change due to weather, earth, and home conditions. Click here for more radon information. Click here for Kansas radon program information and test regulations, and for professional radon mitigation companies.