Chicago Radon Testing

If your radon reading exceeded the 4.0 pCi/L level, mitigation is recommended to reduce the radon to 2.0 pCi/L or less. In fact the EPA recommends fixing/reducing any radon reading between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/LA A licensed radon mitigation contractor should be contacted to analyze the site and recommend a solution.

Short answer, yes. IL has required passive radon piping in new single family and duplex dwellings since 2013. This eases the installation needs and costs of a mitigation system should elevated radon be detected during a test.

Wrong. It is not uncommon for adjacent properties to have entirely different radon readings. The radon source, soil composition and building performance can all significantly affect radon levels in next door buildings. We know of a recent test with a 1.2 pCi/L reading result and a house with a radon reading of 14 pCi/L a half block away.

While a radon test is not currently required by Illinois law, a radon test is a very wise investment for all parties. It will give all parties an honest picture of what the radon environment is for the property. The only way to determine what the radon presence is for a specific location is to test. Remember, radon is everywhere.

Tampering with a radon or radon progeny measurement is prohibited by law and may result in civil penalties, the nullification of the measurement and warrant a retest at the seller’s expense.

Radon usually builds up in the lowest levels of a building. However, there are some buildings that have a higher radon level in the top floors. This can be due to artificial ventilation, natural updraft, or building materials used.

Measuring all floors can help us make healthier decisions. In most cases, it is better for our health to spend more of our time on floors with lower radon levels.

Natural stone in countertops and fireplaces can contain radon and contribute to the overall presence of radon in the air although the EPA believes most types of granite are probably not major contributors of radiation and radon in the home.

A typical short-term test takes a minimum of 48 hours and can last up to 96 hours. Long-term tests can last up to 1 year in duration. Real estate radon tests are almost always 48 hours in duration.

CRT as a radon measurement firm is prohibited by state law to install mitigation systems. The same firm cannot both test for radon and install radon mitigation systems in the same site due to a conflict of interest. We can refer mitigation companies with solid work histories.

Radon gas is soluble in water so it can be present in well and municipal water supplies. However, 85–90% of radon found in the home is typically from radon soil gas movement through soil and rock into the building.

Weather is out of everyone's control and a re-test may be necessary to gain accurate results. Discuss further with your testing professional.

Testing is generally recommended for units below grade, at grade and up to the 3rd floor. But as mentioned earlier, elevated radon readings have been found in high-rise buildings. Testing for radon is never a bad idea.