Radon Testing in Northern Nevada: Why Fall Is the Right Time to Test

You can't see radon, smell it or taste it. That is exactly why it gets ignored, and why testing matters.

Radon in lungs

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It rises out of the ground and can seep into a home through the foundation, cracks, sump areas and gaps around pipes. The EPA and the Surgeon General identify it as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind smoking.

Why test in fall and winter?

As the weather cools, we close windows, run the heat and keep doors shut. That closed-house condition is when a short-term radon test gives its most reliable reading. Testing now also means you have results in hand before the holidays, and before a real estate deal is on a deadline.

You can't guess your radon level

Radon levels vary from one house to the next, even on the same street. Age, foundation type and how the home is built and used all play a part. Your neighbor's result tells you very little about yours. The only way to know is to test.

What a professional test looks like

We place a calibrated continuous radon monitor in the lowest livable level of the home and let it run for a minimum of 48 hours. During that time, exterior doors and windows stay closed except for normal entry and exit. When the test is done, we pull the data and you get a written report with your results, delivered promptly.

A continuous monitor records hourly readings, so we can see whether the numbers are steady or spiking, and spot anything that looks like the test was disturbed.

What the numbers mean

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends fixing a home with a result of 4 pCi/L or higher, and suggests considering action for results between 2 and 4 pCi/L. If your number is elevated, we will walk you through what it means and what your options are. It is fixable, and a high number is a reason to act, not to panic.

Buying, selling or just curious

• Buying? Radon testing pairs well with a buyer's home inspection, and results give you something concrete to bring to the negotiation.

• Selling? Testing before you list means no surprises during the buyer's inspection period.

• Staying put? If you have never tested your home, or it has been a few years, now is a good time.

Home Inspection Associates has served Northern Nevada since 2007 with more than 9,000 inspections. Radon testing is performed by Bob Parmenter, an NRPP-certified Radon Measurement Professional and one of only 17 Master Inspectors of Structures in Nevada. We serve Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Fallon, Dayton, Silver Springs, Yerington and surrounding communities.

Ready to test your home? Visit nvinspectors.com to get in touch.