Radon can’t be seen, tasted or smelled, which makes it extra tricky to determine whether your home has high levels of it or not. The only way to be sure that there isn’t any radon presence in your home is to have it tested. Here are a few reminders to help you along:
Choose the type of test kit
Test kits are available in two types: short-term and long-term. Short-term test kits need to run for about 2 to 7 days, while long-term radon test kits run for 90 days or longer. Short-term tests provide you with an inexpensive, easy and quick way to check for radon in your home. Long-term tests, though, provide you with the average amount of radon for the entire year, giving you more information to work with.
Don’t rush
Whichever type of test kit you go for, you’re going to need to properly wait out the results. Don’t try to rush through the test. That’s only going to compromise the results, and then you’ll have to run through the same steps again.
Retest
Once your home tests positive for radon levels of about 4 or higher, you’ll want to have it retested. Using a long-term radon test kit can provide you with more information.
Pick the right time
Radon gas levels are usually higher during the hot, summer months. You should schedule the test to cover both summer and winter months, says the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Keep an eye on the weather
If you’re doing short-term tests, be sure not to conduct the test during severe weather conditions, especially when there are high winds. That could skew the results.
Send it right away
To make sure the test results are accurate, send those kits to the laboratory as soon as the test has been completed.
