How the test runs
A monitor goes in the lowest livable level and stays there for a set period under closed-house conditions, meaning windows and exterior doors stay shut except for normal entry and exit. We place it, we retrieve it, and the result comes back as a number in picocuries per liter. No guesswork and no interpretation required on your end.
What the number means
The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. At or above that, mitigation is recommended. Below it, you may still choose to mitigate if you are close to the line and plan to finish a basement or spend a lot of time on the lowest level. We give you the number and what it means, not a sales pitch.
If the level comes back high
Radon mitigation is a well understood, non-dramatic fix. A sub-slab depressurization system vents the gas above the roofline, and it typically runs a few thousand dollars installed. Knowing before closing means it is a negotiation item rather than a surprise you inherit.
Testing during a real estate transaction
Timing matters because closed-house conditions have to hold for the whole test period. If the house is vacant and being shown constantly, or if someone props a door for a contractor, the result can be compromised. We will tell you what the test needs to stay valid.
What to do with the result after you close
If you test low and buy the house, note the number and move on. If you finish a basement, add a bedroom on the lowest level, or make significant changes to how the house is sealed and ventilated, test again, because you have changed the conditions the original number described. Radon is not a one-time fact about a property, it is a measurement of a house as it currently breathes. Homeowners who mitigate should also keep an eye on the system, since a fan that has quietly failed is doing nothing at all.