Radon is silent, invisible, and odorless—which means there are no physical warning signs that radon gas is building up in your home. Unlike a roof leak that drips water on your ceiling, radon exposure doesn’t show up until it’s too late—unless you test for it.
So how do you know if you have a radon problem? Here’s how to tell, how to test, and what steps to take if your home could be at risk.
There Are No Obvious Signs – But Risk Factors Can Help You Guess
Unfortunately, radon doesn’t smell, look, or make any noise. That’s what makes it so dangerous. But there are some common risk factors that increase the chance your home has high radon levels:
- 🧱 You have a basement or crawl space.
- 🪟 Your home is tightly sealed and energy-efficient (low ventilation).
- 🏠 Your house was built on uranium-rich soils (common in states like Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, etc.).
- 📍 You live in a Zone 1 Radon Area, according to the EPA’s radon map.
- 🧑🔬 A neighbor has tested and found high levels of radon.
- 🛠 Your home was recently remodeled or sealed tighter for energy savings.
These aren’t definitive signs—you could still have high radon levels even without them. But if one or more apply to you, it’s time to test.
How to Know for Sure: Radon Testing
The only way to truly identify a radon problem is by testing. You’ve got two options:
1. Short-Term Test Kits (DIY)
- Available at most hardware stores or online.
- Set it up for 2–7 days in the lowest livable area of your home.
- Send it to a lab for analysis.
- Easy, cheap, and a great starting point.
2. Continuous Radon Monitors (Digital)
- Devices like Airthings or Radon Eye give real-time readings.
- Great for ongoing monitoring after mitigation.
- Slightly more expensive but worth the data.
3. Professional Radon Testing
- Done by certified radon mitigation professionals.
- Especially valuable in real estate transactions or when accuracy matters most.
What Your Test Results Mean
- 0 – 1.9 pCi/L: Excellent. No action needed.
- 2.0 – 3.9 pCi/L: Consider mitigation, especially if you spend lots of time in the basement or have kids at home.
- 4.0+ pCi/L: Action recommended by the EPA. Schedule mitigation ASAP.
If your levels are above 4.0 pCi/L, you have a radon problem—and you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. tests high for radon.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
You won’t see symptoms right away, but long-term exposure increases your risk of lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
The danger grows the longer you’re exposed—especially in places like basements, home offices, or bedrooms located on lower levels. So don’t wait for symptoms. By the time they show up, it could be too late.
What to Do If You Have High Radon Levels
✅ Don’t panic – Radon mitigation is effective and affordable.
✅ Contact a certified radon mitigation professional – (House Radon can help you find one near you).
✅ Install a mitigation system – Usually a vent pipe and fan that pulls radon out from beneath your home.
✅ Retest after mitigation – To confirm it’s working.
Take Control Before Radon Becomes a Problem
If you’re unsure whether you have a radon problem, now’s the time to find out. A simple test could protect your health and your family’s future.
House Radon connects you with licensed, local radon mitigation pros who can test your home and recommend the best next steps—whether that’s installing a system or just giving you peace of mind.