Guide · Safety and emergencies

Radon Basics

A calm, practical guide to an invisible gas, how simple it is to test for, and how it can be lowered when needed.

5 pages · PDF · 270 KB · free forever, no sign up needed

Where to start

Test came back high?
Take a breath. A high reading is common, and it can be fixed. See if a test comes back high.
Testing the home?
Start with planning a radon test.
Living there day to day?
Tick through simple steps that help.

The short version

Radon is a natural, invisible gas from the ground that can build up indoors. You can’t see, smell or taste it, so testing is the only way to know.

The EPA generally recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher, and suggests considering it between 2 and 4 pCi/L.

Testing is simple: place a kit on the lowest lived-in level, follow the instructions, and mail it to the lab on time.

If a level is high, confirm it, then a qualified radon mitigation professional can usually lower it a great deal. Test again afterward.

Rules about radon differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at your local rules. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Testing is the only way to know
Radon has no color, smell or taste. Any home, old or new, with or without a basement, can have it.
2
Test the lowest lived-in level
Place the test on the lowest floor where people regularly spend time, and follow the kit’s instructions closely.
3
Know the action level
The EPA generally recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher, and suggests considering it between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
4
High levels can be fixed
A qualified radon professional can usually lower levels a great deal, and a follow-up test confirms it worked.

Try it

Simple steps that help

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 6

Asked, kindly and in writing, whether the home has been tested and when, and requested a copy of any results
Read the kit instructions first. Most short term tests ask for windows and doors to stay closed during the test
Left the test device exactly where it was placed, away from drafts, heat and humidity
Wrote down the start and end dates and times on the form, then mailed the kit to the lab promptly
If the home has a mitigation system, glanced at its gauge now and then and shared anything unusual
Kept the home well ventilated in everyday life, and shared any foundation cracks noticed

Try it

Planning a radon test

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 5

Testing every home, even if neighboring homes tested low
A kit from a reputable lab, or a qualified radon measurement professional
Everyone in the home told ahead of time what the test needs, such as closed windows and doors
Test placed on the lowest lived in level, away from kitchens, bathrooms, drafts and outside walls
All results kept in writing, with copies shared with everyone who lives in the home

If a test comes back high

Take a breath. A high reading is common, and it is something that can be fixed.
Look at the number and the type of test, and keep a copy of the lab report.
Confirm with a second test, as the kit or a radon professional recommends.
Share the results in writing with everyone who should know, kindly and clearly.
If the level is confirmed at 4 pCi/L or higher, contact a qualified radon mitigation professional.
After the work is done, test again to make sure the level came down, and keep every report together.

When sharing a high result, include the lab report and the dates of the test. Clear facts make a calm, helpful conversation much easier.

When mitigation is needed

Use a qualified radon mitigation contractor, and ask about their certification and experience.
Ask what system they recommend and how it will be checked. Sealing cracks alone is usually not enough.
Keep everyone informed, kindly and in writing, about timing and what to expect during the work.
Test again after the system is installed, then retest periodically as the EPA generally suggests.
Keep the system running, labeled and in good repair, and replace the fan when it wears out.

Please don’t turn off, unplug or block the fan or pipe of a radon mitigation system. It is made to stay on all the time.

Helpful resources

The guide points to these for details. Rules differ from place to place, so the official pages where your home is are the best guide.

Printable checklist

Like it on paper?

The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.

Get the printable checklist

Sold on Payhip.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.

See The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep the full guide handy

The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

Download the PDF

From the Bunklow shop

Take it with you

Healthy Home Checklist PackThe Healthy Home checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.
See it in the shop

Sold on Payhip.

More guides

Safety and emergenciesLead Paint Awareness

Safety and emergenciesHome Security Basics

Safety and emergenciesMail and Package Safety

See all guides

This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or medical advice. Bunklow does not inspect properties or test for radon.