FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is radon?
A: Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and water. You can't see, smell, or taste it. It moves up from the ground and can build up inside homes through cracks, joints, and gaps in the foundation.
Q: Why should I test my home?
A: According to the EPA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking, and the leading cause among people who have never smoked. Testing is the only way to know your level.
Q: Can I test my home myself?
A: Yes, and we encourage it. Every year the Alabama Department of Public Health offers free radon test kits to Alabama households while supplies last, usually starting in January. You can also buy a do-it-yourself kit at most home improvement stores. Testing your home is the most important step, however you do it.
Home kits only work well when they’re set up correctly. Follow the kit’s instructions closely and mail it to the lab right away.
If your result comes back at 2 pCi/L or higher, or you’re not sure the test was set up right, give us a call. We’ll come out and run a professional confirmation test so you can make decisions with confidence. Your family’s health is worth being sure.
Q: My neighbor's home tested low. Do I still need to test?
A: Yes. Radon levels can vary a lot between homes on the same street. The Alabama Department of Public Health recommends testing every home.
Q: My house doesn't have a basement. Can it still have radon?
A: Yes. Homes on slabs and crawlspaces can have high radon too. Any home can have a problem, whether it's new or old, drafty or well sealed.
Q: How does the test work?
A: We place a test device in the lowest lived-in level of your home. Depending on the test, we use a continuous radon monitor, which records readings every hour, or a passive device such as a charcoal canister or an alpha track detector, which is sent to a lab for analysis.
Q: How do I prepare for a short-term test?
A: Keep windows and outside doors closed for 12 hours before and during the test, except for normal coming and going. Don't run fans that pull in outside air. Normal heating and air conditioning are fine. Please don't move, cover, or unplug the device.
Q: How soon will I get my results?
A: For tests using a continuous radon monitor, you get your results the same day the test ends. For tests sent to a lab, such as charcoal canisters, you get your results the same day we receive them from the lab.
Q: I already have a mitigation system. Why test?
A: To make sure it's still doing its job. The EPA recommends testing after a system is installed and again every two years. It's also smart when you buy a home that already has a system.
Q: What do my results mean?
A: Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L. The average indoor level in the U.S. is about 1.3 pCi/L.
Q: What if my levels are high?
A: Don't panic. High radon levels can be mitigated. A certified mitigation contractor can install a system that can reduce levels by up to 99%. We're happy to refer you to certified mitigation professionals in Central Alabama.
Q: Do you install mitigation systems?
A: No. We only test. Because we don't sell or install systems, you can trust our results are independent.
Q: Are you certified?
A: Yes. We are certified by both the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).