Radon testing is basically a health check-up for the air in your home. Radon is a sneaky, invisible gas that comes from the ground and can build up inside your house. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste it, the only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test for it. Think of it like checking your smoke alarm—except instead of fire, we’re looking for radioactive gas (but don’t worry, it’s totally manageable!).

A 48-hour radon measurement will cost $175 for homes in the Nashville metro area. If mitigation is necessary, the test price is discounted by the cost of the radon system. Testing prices can go up from there depending on how far outside of town the house is.

Nope! Radon test kits are not dangerous to touch, and don’t contain radon—so they won’t zap you with radiation or turn you into a superhero (sorry). They simply collect air samples from your home, which are later analyzed to measure radon levels. Just follow our instructions, don’t tamper with the test while it’s running, and you’re good to go.

It depends on the type of test. Short-term tests take 2 to 7 days, while long-term tests (which give a more accurate year-round average) take 90 days or more. If you’re in a hurry—like selling a house or just super impatient—we can help you out with a short-term test for quick results. If you want the best overall picture of your home’s radon levels, long-term is the way to go.

Many residential and rural homes in Tennessee use well water, especially in the eastern and middle parts of the state. If your home gets its water from a well, yes, you should test it for radon! Radon isn’t just an air problem—it can dissolve into groundwater and get released into the air when you shower, wash dishes, or do laundry. If high levels are found in your well water, don’t panic—there are special filtration systems that can fix it. If you’re on city water, you’re probably fine since public water supplies are regulated and treated.

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Absolutely, 100%, no doubt about it, yes. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking), and the only way to know if your home has high levels is to test—because, again, this gas is like a ninja: silent, invisible, and sneaky. It doesn’t matter if your home is old, new, has a basement, or is on a slab—radon doesn’t discriminate. 

If you’re buying a house, radon testing should be on your to-do list, along with the home inspection. Imagine moving in and finding out later that your dream home comes with an unexpected radon problem. Not fun, right? Tennessee does not currently require radon testing for real estate transactions. However, radon testing is recommended by the EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Go ahead and make sure it's done with your home inspection.

At least every two years—think of it like your home’s routine check-up. But you should test sooner if:

• You’ve never tested before (now’s the time!).

• You made big home renovations (new windows, HVAC changes, or foundation work can impact radon levels).

• You’ve installed a radon mitigation system (you’ll want to check that it’s working).

Since radon levels can fluctuate with the seasons, testing every couple of years ensures you stay on top of it.

Yes! Radon tests don’t require you to evacuate like a fumigation. BUT, there are a few rules:

• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible (normal coming and going is fine).

• Avoid running fans or anything that could mess with the airflow near the test.

• Don’t move or tamper with the test (it’s working hard to keep you safe).

Basically, live your life, just don’t go on a window-opening spree or set up fans right next to the test.

Smoking doesn’t directly mess with the test results, but it does increase your risk if radon is present. The combo of smoking PLUS radon exposure makes lung cancer risk skyrocket. If you or someone in the house smokes, it’s even more reason to test for radon and fix it ASAP if needed. Bonus tip: Don’t smoke near the test—again, it won’t skew results, but it could leave behind contaminants that interfere with the analysis.

No, a radon test won’t call you out for smoking. However, cigarette smoke contains particles that can settle on certain types of radon detectors, potentially messing with their readings. More importantly, radon + smoking = a very bad combo for lung cancer risk, so if you smoke indoors, it’s extra important to check your home’s radon levels and reduce exposure wherever possible.

Nope! Unlike cigarette smoke, vaping doesn’t release anything that would interfere with radon test results. That said, vaping doesn’t reduce radon risks either—so if your home has high radon levels, switching from cigarettes to vapes won’t make it any safer. Testing and mitigation are still the way to go!

It depends! If the fan is mounted to the ceiling and runs on a low setting, it’s usually fine. But if it’s a big, high-powered fan that could change airflow patterns near the test, it’s best to turn it off. Also, avoid running exhaust fans (like kitchen or bathroom vents) that could pull radon-heavy air into the house.

Bottom line: Low-speed ceiling fan = probably fine. High-powered fan = maybe not. Follow our testing instructions to get the most accurate results!

Ah, the classic "how do I beat a radon test?" question. The honest answer? You don’t. And you shouldn’t try.

Radon testing isn’t like a high school exam where you can cram the night before and get a passing grade. Radon levels fluctuate naturally, and manipulating a test to get a low reading can be dangerous—because if your home actually has high radon, you’re just putting yourself (and everyone who lives there) at risk.

If your apartment complex is testing for radon, it’s probably because:

• They’re following best practices – Responsible property managers check for radon, especially in ground-floor or basement units.

• They’re responding to a tenant request – If someone asked about radon, the management might have decided to test.

• It’s part of a real estate transaction – If the property is being sold, refinanced, or updated, radon testing might be required.

• Local regulations – While Tennessee doesn’t require radon testing, some cities and counties recommend it.

Either way, testing is a good thing—it means your landlord cares about indoor air quality!

Not in Tennessee. There’s no law requiring landlords to test for radon or disclose radon levels in rental properties. However, some landlords do it voluntarily, especially in high-risk areas.

If you’re a renter and concerned about radon, you can ask your landlord about past testing or do your own test in your unit. If you find high levels, they might be willing to install a mitigation system, but they’re not legally obligated to.

Nope, Tennessee doesn’t have laws requiring radon testing in homes, apartments, or commercial buildings. However:

• The state strongly recommends testing, especially in Middle and East Tennessee, where radon levels tend to be higher.

• Some home buyers and sellers choose to test as part of the real estate process.

• Schools and workplaces sometimes test voluntarily for safety.

The best spot for a radon test is the lowest livable area of your home, usually the basement (if it's finished or used regularly), ground floor (if there’s no basement), or a room people spend time in (like a bedroom or living room, not a storage room).

Avoid placing it near windows, doors, fans, or vents—these can mess with airflow and skew results.

Nope, Tennessee doesn’t require radon testing to sell a home. However, buyers may ask for one as part of the home inspection process. If you already tested and got low levels, sharing results can be a great selling point. And if you test and find high radon, it’s usually better to fix it before listing, so it doesn’t become a deal-breaker. So while it’s not legally required, it’s a smart move to test before selling—it makes the process smoother and avoids surprises.

Nope! Radon tests do not have cameras—they’re just designed to measure radon levels, not spy on you.

That said, some professional radon monitors do have motion detectors or tamper sensors to ensure the test wasn’t moved or tampered with. This prevents people from trying to "cheat" the test by putting it outside or near an open window.

So don’t worry—a radon test isn’t watching you binge Netflix in your PJs.

Yes! Radon can be a problem in any home, whether it has a basement, crawlspace, or is built on a slab. The gas comes from the soil, so even homes without basements can still have high radon levels on the ground floor.

In fact, some slab-on-grade homes can have worse radon issues because they don’t have a basement acting as a buffer. Bottom line? Test, no matter what kind of foundation you have.

Not really. You can run your A/C during a radon test as long as you’re not bringing in fresh outdoor air. If your A/C system pulls in air from outside, it could dilute radon levels temporarily and mess with results. If it’s just recirculating indoor air (like most central A/C systems), it won’t cause any issues.

Nope! Your furnace running won’t mess up a radon test—in fact, you should keep your home’s normal heating/cooling systems running during the test so it reflects real-life conditions.

However, if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, don’t use it during testing, since it can create pressure changes that could slightly alter radon levels.

While our canine companions have a reputation for sniffing out many things—from cancer to mold to cavities—dogs cannot smell radon. It’s a reasonable question, given that their noses are much more sensitive–between 100,000 to 1,000,000 times more sensitive!– than ours. 

However, radon gas is completely odorless and colorless. Even the most sensitive-nosed pooch won’t be able to alert you to high radon levels. Testing is the only way you (or your pup) can confidently know whether or not you have a radon problem.