Radon gas occurs naturally throughout the environment. It can even be found in your home in very small amounts. It's when the amount of gas starts to accumulate that problems start to occur. Radon detectors can be placed throughout your home to help you identify problem areas and give you an opportunity to make sure those levels stay within safe limits.
Where Should I Test?
Areas both above and below your first-floor living space should be tested frequently. Below your home, you will have a crawlspace, cement slab, or basement. Since radon comes from the ground, it is recommended that a test be performed in the lowest lived in area, as this is where the highest concentration of radon gas is usually found. If you have a basement with a lived in area, this would be the lowest area to test. For homes with crawlspaces, the living area over the crawl space should be tested. If both basement and crawl are present, testing in both a basement room and room above the crawl is recommended (note, do not test inside the crawlspace). For homes on cement slabs, the lowest lived in area would be a room on the first floor over the slab. In addition to this lowest lived in area, consider testing other rooms in the home such as bedrooms, living areas, or a home office, as radon levels can vary in different areas of the home.
Which Living Areas Should Be Tested?
It is recommended that all ground contacting living areas should be tested as frequently as possible. Placing detectors in your basement is recommended, especially if you have a family room or other living area where your family frequently spends their time. You should test above every type of foundation in your home (ie. basements, crawlspaces and slabs).
Bedrooms, home offices and other family living areas of particular concern should also have radon detectors. Because you spend extended periods of time in these rooms, you are more likely to inhale radon. Additionally, these rooms often have closed doors which can cause the radon levels to be higher.
Radon gas is odorless and there is no way for you to see or smell the gas and a detector is the best way to tell if radon gas is present. Any area of your home that your family uses on a regular basis should have their own dedicated radon detectors.
How Many Detectors Do I Need?
The number of detectors you need for your home or workplace will depend on how big the area is and how much time people will be spending in each area. If a person spends more than four to six hours a day in any given area, consider placing a detector nearby. Because areas under your home are normally the first place radon gas will accumulate, you should consider placing one radon detector for every 2000 uninterrupted sq ft, and in frequently occupied rooms.
Radon Detector Calculator
*This is for demonstration purposes and should not be used as expert advice.
Contact a Radon Detector Specialist for Guidance
If you have questions concerning the number of radon detectors you may need to sufficiently measure your home or workplace, contact our radon testing specialists for guidance. We can help you accurately determine which areas of your home should be tested and at what frequency. Once you know how many detectors you will need, you can order and place the tests in the recommended areas to get the most accurate results from our short term or long term radon test kits. Because we know each home and exposure to radon is unique we allow your kit to be customized to the number of tests suited for each property.
Short Term Radon Test Kit
10-90 Radon Test Kit
The Rapidos is a short-term radon test that will monitor between 10 to 90 days. This extremely accurate test will take into account all of the daily fluctuations in radon and provide an average concentration.
Long Term Radon Test Kit
90-365 Radon Test Kit
The Radtrak² is a long-term test that will monitor between 90 days and 1 full year. This extremely accurate test will take into account all of the daily fluctuations in radon levels.
