The EPA recommends testing for radon in your home every two years as part of routine home maintenance. You should also schedule a radon test for home environments after renovations, HVAC or foundation changes, or lifestyle updates that increase time spent in lower levels, such as finishing a basement or adding a home office. You should also retest after a few months if radon testing at home reveals 2–4 pCi/L levels of radon exposure.
Different health agencies set their own guidelines for safety:
- EPA guideline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends action if a radon test for home environments shows 4.0 pCi/L or higher.
- WHO guidance: The World Health Organization advises keeping radon levels as low as reasonably achievable, with a reference level around 2.7 pCi/L.
The time taken to test for radon at home depends on the type of test you are using. Here’s a quick timeline guide:
- Short-term radon tests: Run for 2–7 days and offer a quick snapshot of current radon levels.
- Long-term radon tests: Measure levels over 90 days or more to capture seasonal and daily variations.
- Professional continuous monitors: Provide real-time readings and highly accurate results during in-home radon testing.
Yes, it is totally fine to stay at home when testing for radon. You can go about your usual activities like watching TV, making dinner, and sleeping. But when testing for radon in your home, just remember it’s important to follow closed-house conditions which includes:
- Keeping exterior windows and doors closed, except for normal entry and exit
- Avoiding excessive ventilation (like fans and exhausts)
- Running your HVAC system as you normally would
If a radon test for homes shows elevated levels, the next steps are clear and manageable. Radon problems are fixable, and testing gives you a roadmap forward.
- Install a mitigation system: Common solutions like sub-slab depressurization safely redirect radon gas from beneath your home to the outdoors
- Seal entry points: Cracks in foundations, floors, sump pits, and utility openings are sealed to reduce radon entry
- Retest your home: After mitigation, testing for radon in your home is repeated to confirm levels are below EPA action guidelines
DIY radon test kits are a simple way to test for radon in your home if you’re looking for a quick, low-cost check. They’re easy to set up and can indicate whether radon may be present, but results can vary based on placement, airflow, and timing, and usually provide limited context.
Professional radon testing for homes, like the one offered by InHaus Lab, uses calibrated equipment, proper placement, and controlled conditions to deliver more accurate and reliable results. A professional radon test for home environments also includes clear interpretation of the findings, making it the better choice for home inspections, real estate transactions, high-radon areas, or anytime you need results you can confidently act on.
Radon testing is recommended for many everyday living situations, not just high-risk homes:
- Homeowners and families living in the home year-round, especially if you use a basement or lower level for sleeping, working, or play.
- Home buyers and sellers who need a radon test for home inspection purposes. Testing helps avoid last-minute delays, supports informed decisions, and provides clear documentation during transactions.
- Renters, landlords, and property managers responsible for indoor air safety.
- Anyone who has never tested or recently renovated, including HVAC upgrades, foundation work, or finishing a basement, since radon levels can change over time.
The best radon test for your home depends on your budget and time. Generally, a professional ones are considered the best radon test for homes, especially if you are conducting an inspection before buying/selling a home. The professional radon testing offered by InHaus Lab is one of the best because it is conducted by experts and the results are analyzed at certified laboratories. That’s not all, we also give you full context and actionable insights, since the radon testing is performed as a part of our comprehensive Home Health Assessment study.
Radon isn’t a one-time concern. Levels can change based on where you live, how your home is built, and even small updates you make over time. Knowing when to test for radon in your home helps you catch issues early, before exposure adds up.
Here are a few instances when you can test your home for radon:
- If your home has never been tested or radon levels are unknown
- If you live below the third floor
- When buying or selling, since a radon test for home inspection helps avoid delays or last-minute negotiations
- Before or after renovations, especially in the basement, foundation, or post HVAC changes
- Before converting your basement into a bedroom or home office which would mean spending more time in the lower levels of your home
- If you live in higher-risk areas like Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, or Pennsylvania, where elevated radon levels are more common
