Good questions
A little clarity. Before you call.
Straight answers to what York homeowners ask us most. Anything else, just ask.
What radon level is considered high?
The EPA recommends fixing your home at 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter, the unit radon is measured in) or above, and suggests considering it between 2.0 and 4.0. There is no level known to be completely safe, so lower is always better. We'll tell you exactly where your home sits.
How long does a radon test take?
Most short-term tests run 48 hours to a week. We place a continuous radon monitor, which gives an hour-by-hour reading, and you get the written result the day we pick it up. Long-term tests are available if you want a full-season picture.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Pennsylvania?
It depends on your foundation type, the size of the slab, and where the pipe can run, which is why quotes across Pennsylvania vary so widely. After a short site visit you get one fixed price in writing, and the post-mitigation test is included. The estimate is free and there is no obligation.
Will the system be noisy or ugly?
The fan is about as loud as a refrigerator and lives outside or in the attic. We route the pipe along a side or rear wall, keep the run straight and plumb, and seal every penetration. Most neighbors never notice it.
Does radon matter if I'm selling my home?
Yes. Buyers in York County routinely ask for a radon test, and a home with a mitigation system and a passing post-test removes a common reason for a deal to stall. We do real estate transaction tests with the fast turnaround an agreement of sale needs.
How long does installation take?
Usually one working day. The system starts reducing radon as soon as the fan is running, and we schedule the follow-up test a few days later to confirm the new level.
Does homeowners insurance cover radon mitigation?
Usually not. Insurers treat a radon system as a home improvement rather than sudden damage, so it is paid out of pocket. In a home sale the cost is often negotiated as a seller credit or repair, and we work with agents on that timeline every week.
What time of year is radon highest?
Winter, in most York County homes. A closed house and a running furnace pull more soil gas up through the foundation. A test in any season is valid, but a winter result is closer to your worst case, and a system keeps levels down year round.
Do air purifiers remove radon?
No. Filters and purifiers capture particles, and radon is a gas. The only fixes that work are keeping it out of the house with a depressurization system or diluting it with continuous ventilation, and the system is far more effective.
Does finishing a basement reduce radon?
No, and it can make exposure worse because people then spend more time on the lowest level. Test before you finish a basement. If the level is high, a system goes in first so the pipe can be routed while the walls are open.
Does Pennsylvania offer free radon test kits?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has offered free or low-cost kits during radon awareness campaigns, usually in January. A kit is a fine first look. For a decision as big as a mitigation system, or for a real estate transaction, a professional continuous monitor gives an hourly record and a report that holds up.
Is radon really a problem in York County?
Yes. York County is in EPA Radon Zone 1, the category with the highest potential for elevated indoor radon, and Pennsylvania reports some of the highest levels in the country. That doesn't mean your home is high, but it does mean the odds are worth a test.
How often should I retest?
Every two years, and any time you finish a basement, change the heating system, do foundation work, or notice the system gauge has changed. After a mitigation system is installed, we test within a few days to confirm it worked.
Still have a question? Call 717-555-0123 and talk to a real person, or send us a note.
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