How to test your home for radon
You can test with an inexpensive do-it-yourself kit, which in Pennsylvania typically costs about $20 to $30 and is mailed to a certified lab, or hire a certified tester. For a home sale, a certified tester is usually the better choice because results are documented and harder to dispute.
How to do it
- Test in the lowest lived-in level of the home, like a finished basement or first floor.
- Keep windows and outside doors closed as much as possible starting 12 hours before and throughout a short-term test.
- Place the kit away from drafts, exterior walls, humidity, and the kitchen or bathroom.
- Mail it to the lab promptly. Kits have strict time limits.
- If the result is 4 pCi/L or higher, run a follow-up test or move straight to quotes if you're on a deadline.
What to avoid
- Don't test in a bathroom, kitchen, laundry room or crawl space.
- Don't open windows or run whole-house fans during the test.
Certified radon testers
Get free quotes from up to 3 certified radon pros near your area
Tell us what you need and where. We send your request to up to 3 state-certified pros near you who offer that service, and they contact you directly.
What happens next
- We match your ZIP to certified pros nearby who offer the service you picked.
- Each pro gets your request and contacts you directly, usually within a business day.
- Compare quotes and pick one, or none. There's no fee and no obligation.
Free, no obligation. We don't sell your details to anyone else.
Prefer to choose yourself? Every certified pro is listed above with their phone number.
Common questions
Short-term or long-term test?
Short-term tests (2 to 90 days) give a quick answer. Long-term tests (more than 90 days) better reflect your year-round average because radon levels change with seasons.
When is the best time to test?
Any time works, but winter tests often read higher because houses are closed up.