Radon
Testing

Test Every Two
Years

We Do Not Do Testing.

All areas of northern Illinois can have high radon levels, and all buildings should be tested every two years. Due to Illinois state regulations, radon mitigation companies like us, cannot provide radon testing services on homes we mitigate or plan to mitigate, but testing can be performed by a professional or the building resident.

Professional testing is usually required for real estate and refinancing transactions. It usually takes a few days and costs $100- $300 per home. Self-test kits are usually $35-$65 each and are available in local home centers and hardware stores.

Professional Testing

Get a Price

Free, No Obligation Price for Your Building.

We are Not
DuPage
Radon
Testing, Inc.

We are often confused with DuPage Radon Testing. If radon testing determines that you have high radon levels, then give us a call.

Locating Professional
Testers

Look for radon testers thet are certified by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and carry business and worker’s compensation insurance. Click here for state Licensed Testers or choose from the list below.

Self Testing with a Radon Test Kit

Home Kits

Home centers and hardware stores often carry home radon test kits for $35-$65, including lab fees. If you choose the home testing option, be sure to follow the directions carefully.

About Testing

What To
Expect

Radon detectors come in various styles. Typically, they are placed in a location a few feet above the ground and away from heat vents and exit doors. The detectors usually need to sit undisturbed for several days. Typically, you need to adhere to “closed door” procedures during the test. After the correct amount of time, the detector is the sent to a lab or collected by the professional to obtain the final results of the radon test.

One Test
per Area

Buildings with multiple foundation types (basements, crawlspaces, and slab-on-grades) usually require a seperate test for each area. Each detector is placed in the lowest living space. For buildings with basements, this is in the basement; for crawlspaces, it is placed in the living space above the crawlspace. For slab-on-grade areas, it is placed on the first floor level.

“Closed
Building”

Don’t worry, you can still come and go. The closed building procedure just means that doors and windows are kept shut except as needed to come and go. Other conditions are maintained, such as not using the fireplace.

Stack
Effect

Warm air rises. When warm air rises in a building, it will push aganinst the upper ceiling and out through various cracks in the ceiling. This causes a suction effect at the bottom of the building, known as the stack effect. This stack effect has been shown to actually pull radon into the building.

Don't
Cheat

You may lose. Studies have shown that because of the stack effect, when people open windows or prop doors open during a radon test, the radon level can actually go up.

Did you
Know...?

  • 4.0 MAGIC NUMBER

    The EPA’s suggested action level is 4.0 pC/iL. This means that any radon levels at or above 4.0 should have a radon mitigation system installed to remove the radon. This the same level used as a decision point for most real estate transactions .

  • NOT SO MAGIC?

    While 4.0pCi/L is the level used mostoften, there is no true “safe” level of radon. The World Health Organization uses 2.7 as their action level. Levels below 1.0 are sometimes very hard to reach with a radon mitigation systems, but levels below 2.7 are frequently achieved.

  • LEVELS DROP EVERY FLOOR

    As a general rule of thumb, radon levels tend to drop by half for each floor above the lowest level of the building. For instance, a 12.0 pCi/L reading in the basement is likely to produce a reading of about 6 on the first floor and a reading of about 3 on the second floor. However, many factors can affect this and radon test results may vary.

  • CHANGES YEAR BY YEAR

    Every two years, you should check your radon levels. Radon levels can change dramatically over the years. A deposit of Radium in your soil may be on the verge of its next decay step, and could produce radon in large amounts in the near future.

  • GOALS DEPEND ON USE

    If you are selling your property, a level of 4.0 should be your guideline. If you are staying in the building, consider how you use your lowest level. If people spend a lot of time there, especially sleeping or sitting, or if children frequently play in this area, you may want to ask our System Designer about reaching a lower number, perhaps under 3.0 pCi/L.

  • AMBIENT NUMBERS

    To get a feel for how your radon level compares, consider this: the level of radon that you might experience while walking outdoors in northern Illinois usually ranges from below 0.5 to 2.0 pCi/l.

  • HIGH NUMBERS

    To further build a reference, radon levels in northern Illinois over 50.0 are very rare. Readings over about 25.0 are considered very high, and readings under 10.0 are the most common.

  • WEATHER’S IMPACT

    Weather can affect radon test results, but usually only slightly. Professionals know when to alter their procedures due to severe weather conditions.

Our Customers Talk

Allen D., Mokena, Il

Very informative, professional & personable.

Kristen K., Oakbrook, Il
(1.0 pCi/L post-test)

Everyone that came did a great job and worked very hard. They were really nice and left everything clean. Great experience.

Steve G., LaGrange, Il

Did a fine job of installation under difficult circumstances.

Annette M., Chicago, Il

Quick, efficient work, left the basement spotless. Honest: took off the charges for the extra SP (suction point) per promise.

Deanna B., Lombard, Il

You guys did a GREAT job! Would definitely recommend you to others. Thanks again.

Kelly D., Bartlett, Il

Friendly & professional service! Thank you!

Nicolas P., Naperville, Il

Excellent, neat and professional. Great job! Highly recommended.

Rodolfo V., Roselle, IL
(0.3 pCi/L post-test)

You guys did a fabulous job. Thanks.