Radon Testing

Why testing is the only answer

Radon has no smell, no color, and no visible signs. Two homes on the same street can have completely different levels — it depends on the soil under each house and how the home is built. Neighbors' results, the age of the home, and whether it "looks" sealed up tell you nothing about your number.

Utah has some of the highest radon levels in the country, and elevated levels turn up in homes of every age and style here. If you haven't tested, you don't know.

Short-term vs. long-term tests

• Short-term test (2 to 7 days). The most common choice. A test device sits in the lowest lived-in level of your home, then we collect it and read the result. Fast enough for a real estate transaction and accurate enough to make a decision on.
• Long-term test (90 days or more). A better picture of your average level across changing weather and seasons. A good choice when there's no deadline and you want the most complete answer.
• Continuous monitor. An electronic device that records levels over the test period and flags anything that might have disturbed the test. Often used in real estate transactions because the results come back quickly and the record is detailed.

How a test works

We place the test device in the lowest level of the home where people spend time — usually a basement bedroom, family room, or main-floor living area if there's no basement. During a short-term test, the home should be kept in normal closed-up conditions: windows and outside doors closed except for normal coming and going, starting about 12 hours before the test begins and continuing through it. We pick the device up at the end of the test period, read the result, and explain what it means.

What your result means

Results are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA's action level is 4.0 pCi/L — at or above that, the EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2 and 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends considering a fix. Below 2 pCi/L, your level is on the lower end, and retesting every few years is a good habit.

If your result is high, it's not a reason to panic — it's a reason to mitigate. A mitigation system brings levels down, and a follow-up test confirms it worked.

When to test

• You've never tested. If you own a home in Utah and don't know your level, that's the reason.
• You're buying or selling. Testing during the inspection period is standard practice here — see our real estate page.
• After a remodel or addition. Changes to the foundation, lower level, or ventilation can change radon levels.
• Every few years. Levels can shift over time, so a retest every few years keeps your answer current.

Serving the Salt Lake Valley

We test homes in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, Holladay, Murray, South Jordan, West Valley City, Taylorsville, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, West Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Bluffdale, Millcreek, Park City, Tooele, and Ogden.