Retesting for Radon - Why one test isn't enough

We would particularly like to remind the thousands of homeowners who have already tested their home that testing once is not enough, especially if the test was a short term test.

January is National Radon Action Month. The purpose of National Radon Action Month is to draw attention to radon as a serious public health issue and, more importantly, to motivate Americans to take action to protect themselves from radon health effects. Radon causes up to 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. However, because you can’t see or smell radon, people tend to minimize the health effects and ignore the possibility that it might exist in elevated levels in their homes.

During this important month, U.S. Inspect would like to encourage all homeowners to take action and test their home for radon. Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. And, if discovered, radon problems can be easily fixed.

What if I already tested my home?
We would particularly like to remind the thousands of homeowners who have already tested their home that testing once is not enough, especially if the test was a short term test. A short term, two-day test gives you an estimate of what the annual average level of radon is in your home, but radon levels in a home change throughout the year. You should repeat the test every few years. You wouldn’t go to the doctor once for a check up would you? Conditions change in homes over time. It is also important to test during different seasons. If your initial test was performed during a heating season (Fall, Winter), you should perform another test during a cooling season (Spring, Summer). Ideally, you should perform a year long test. This will tell you what your annual average radon level is.

What about those homeowners who have a radon reduction system installed in their home?
You should re-test the radon level in your home every two years. Mitigation systems can fail, and their performance can degrade over time. You won’t know unless you test. Personally I’d recommend testing annually. As I mentioned above, testing is easy and inexpensive. Don’t wait. Test this month!

A Note from the Author: This particular post is targeted towards homeowners not necessarily home buyers. I should add that I believe that State requirements and national standards for testing for radon during a real estate transaction are within reason and sufficient. I don't believe that radon and radon testing should bog down or slow a sale unnecessarily--but once a buyer takes occupancy in their new place--I say, it's your life, and your family--it's OK to be picky. Test in a different season and test regularly--it's up to you to maintain your home and to keep your family safe. In this way, the original test gives you your ballpark and allows quick remediation if levels are very high--then you can get more specific with your testing at a later time.

Posted By: U.S. Inspect Blog