Radon Testing in Central Virginia
You can't see it, smell it, or taste it, and the only way to know your home's radon level is to test.
The Virginia Department of Health has found high radon levels in every county in Virginia, and two houses on the same street can test differently.
Check your ZIP on the VDH Map
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What is Radon?
Radon is a gas and you might remember it from chemistry class in high school. Yes, it's on the periodic table.
Radon is an invisible, tasteless, and odorless gas that forms naturally when radioactive metals like uranium, thorium, or radium break down in rocks and soil. Radon may also be present in groundwater drawn from wells. Radon may enter a home through any type of foundation – basements, slabs or crawl spaces.
The most likely entry points in homes are:
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Cracks
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Gaps
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Holes
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Bare soil
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Bare natural rock
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Sumps and unsealed drains
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Testing for Radon in Virginia is important. Testing for radon does not have to be a scary.
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Ideally we want to find a test result below 2 pCi/L, but if we find a result between 2 and 4 pCi/L we may advise a retest, and recommend a family consider mitigation.
If we find the levels over 4 pCi/L we will advise you to "fix the house" and refer you to a Radon Mitigation Company.
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The EPA strongly recommends that you fix your home if your test shows 4 picocuries per litre (pCi/L) or more. If your test shows between 2 and 4 pCi/L, consider fixing.
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Pronounced
PEE-koh-CURE-eez
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Radon Testing: What to Expect Before, During and After
We are happy to perform a radon test for you with or without a home inspection.
A radon test should be simple. Alison Mullins is a NRPP Certified Radon Measurement Professional and would like to make this process easy for her clients.
She will place one continuous radon monitor per 2,000 sq ft. in your home on a tripod and let it run for at least 48 hours.
Our professional continuous radon monitor system by AirThings provides instant results at the end of the test period so there is no waiting for days or weeks for a report.
If you booked a home inspection with us, we will even embed the readon test within your home inspection report so that it's easy to find the link to your homes data.
If you want a test without a home inspection, no problem! Here are a few need to know basics about the testing process.
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Before the test: close windows and exterior doors 12 hours ahead.
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During the test: keep them closed for the full test, though normal coming and going is fine.
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During the test: run heating and cooling as usual.
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During the test: the monitor sits in the lowest livable level for at least 48 hours, so please don’t move it. Our monitor runs off battery so no cords will be in your way.
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After the 48 hrs is complete: we will pick up the monitor and send your report by the end of the day.