DIY vs. Professional: Which Radon Testing Method Is Right for You?
Navigating the decision between DIY and professional radon testing can feel daunting, especially when the health of your household is at stake. In this guide, we offer a clear comparison between both options to empower homeowners and buyers like you with the knowledge needed to make an informed choice.
Should I Get a Radon Test?
Yes. Radon testing is not just a choice; it's a responsibility. Everyone should get a radon test to ensure they don’t have high levels of the gas in their homes. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can seep into your home from the soil below and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
This gas is colorless and odorless, so testing is the only way to detect it. Whether you’re in the inspection stage of a house-buying journey or you’ve owned your home for years, radon tests are crucial for ensuring your family isn’t breathing in harmful air.
Radon Testing Kit vs. Professional Testing
You know you need a radon test, but you have an important choice: Do you order a home testing kit or seek help from a professional radon tester? Let’s look at each test's advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.
Home Testing Kit
Advantages:
Affordability: Testing kits tend to be less expensive than professional services.
Convenience: DIY tests can be easily purchased at hardware stores or online, and you can perform the test on your schedule.
Initial Screening: At-home tests are a good first step to determine whether your home has potentially high radon levels.
Disadvantages:
Accuracy Variability: Are home radon test kits accurate? Many home tests are, but the accuracy can vary based on the quality of the kit and how well you follow the instructions.
No Expert Analysis: You won’t have a professional to read and explain the results to you, which can be crucial if your radon levels read high or borderline.
Professional Radon Testing Services
Advantages:
Higher Accuracy and Reliability: Professionals use more sophisticated equipment that can provide more accurate and reliable results.
Comprehensive Analysis: A radon professional can offer a more detailed assessment, including identifying possible radon entry points.
Ongoing Support: If radon levels are high, professionals can guide you through next steps, including the mitigation process.
Disadvantages:
Cost: Professional testing can be more expensive, which might not be justifiable unless there’s reason to suspect high radon levels.
Scheduling and Waiting: You need to schedule a professional test, and the available time slots may not work well with your schedule.
Radon Testing for Homebuyers vs. Homeowners
Which type of test you get will also vary depending on your situation. A professional test is likely the only option if you’re in the process of purchasing a home, but a DIY radon test can be perfectly suitable for a home you already own.
For Homebuyers
Home inspections are a crucial part of the real estate process where the condition and safety of a property are evaluated. You need to make sure your home inspection includes a radon test — even if the home is already outfitted with a mitigation system. This test will let you know if there is a radon problem that needs to be addressed before you purchase and move in or if an existing system is not working properly.
Since you don’t own the home yet, you won’t have the access needed to perform a test yourself. In this scenario, you will need to have a reliable radon company perform a test. The Radon Guys in Nashville offer professional radon testing throughout Middle Tennessee. We use 48-hour, NRPP-approved professional testing devices to give you accurate results and ensure the air in your potential new home is safe for move-in.
For Homeowners
Unless you plan to sell your house soon, an at-home testing kit is a more affordable and convenient way to test for radon. As long as you purchase a reputable test and follow the exact directions, you can expect accurate results.
You will need to choose between a long-term or short-term test. Short-term tests usually measure radon levels for 2 to 7 days, making them useful for a quick assessment. This test type is great if you’re testing for the first time, want to ensure an existing mitigation system is working, or want to verify a high-level result on a previous test. Long-term tests measure levels for 3 to 12 months, providing a more accurate representation of the average radon level over different seasons and weather conditions.
You can also get a continuous radon monitor that displays both short-term and long-term averages on screen, so you always know your levels.
How Do I Pick a Good At-Home Radon Test?
Radon testing kits are often found at your local home improvement store or popular online retailers. However, quality and accuracy can vary. There are two options for ensuring you choose a reliable home radon test: going through your state radon office or ordering a professional-recommended radon testing device. In both cases, you have experts providing quality test recommendations based on their experiences, not a random company looking to make a quick buck.
Tips for Testing Your Home
When testing your home, always make sure you follow the exact steps outlined in the instruction booklet. Frequently, you will see these directions included:
Keep all windows and doors closed as much as possible 12 hours before and during the testing period to avoid diluting radon levels inside the house.
Turn off fans or machines that bring in air from outside.
Place the radon test kit in the lowest level of your home that is regularly used. You want a reading of the spaces where people actually spend time and breathe the air. Don’t place the test in a crawl space or an unused basement.
Leave the test undisturbed for the amount of time noted in the instructions.
What If My Radon Levels Are High?
Your radon test will come back with results in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. There is no known “safe” radon level, but the EPA has levels they consider actionable. The EPA recommends taking radon mitigation action if your levels are at or above 4 pCi/L. If your reading falls in this range, reach out to a radon mitigation specialist to determine next steps.
The Radon Guys offer expert testing and reliable results in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. We are happy to perform radon tests during your home inspection and can recommend radon testing devices we trust so you can test your home.
Should your home fail a radon test or come back with levels above 4 pCi/L, we will work with you to determine the right radon mitigation system for your property. Our mitigation systems are designed to effectively reduce radon levels in your home to below 4 pCi/L, and we back our work with a three-year warranty so you can trust the job’s been done right. Contact our team today for an estimate.
