elevate-radon-defense

How Often Should You Test Your Home for Radon?

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:58:30 GMT

Radon can build up inside a home without creating a smell, color, or immediate warning. A house may appear healthy while the indoor level changes over time. Testing is the only dependable way to learn how much radon is present.

For most Michigan homeowners, a practical rule is to check the home at least every two years. Certain property changes call for earlier testing.

The General Rule: Test Every Two Years

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy recommends testing homes every two years because buildings settle, foundation cracks can form, and indoor levels can change. This schedule also applies to homes with active or passive radon reduction equipment. The EPA gives similar guidance for homes with installed systems.

Keep each report with your property records. Record the date, location, result, and test type so future findings are easier to compare.

When Should You Test Sooner?

Two years is a useful routine, but building changes or new living patterns may affect how soil gas enters and collects indoors.

After Buying or Moving Into a Home

A previous owner’s report can help, but it may not describe current conditions. Consider a new test if the report is more than two years old, the instructions were not followed, or you plan to use a lower level that was not tested.

Every new home should also be checked after occupancy. Radon-resistant construction features do not reveal the actual indoor concentration.

After Remodeling or Structural Work

Test after finishing a basement, building an addition, repairing the foundation, installing drainage, or sealing a crawlspace. Construction can change air movement, indoor pressure, and pathways between the soil and living area.

Testing before a major project may also make needed reduction features easier to include. The EPA advises testing before and after major structural renovations.

After HVAC or Ventilation Changes

A new furnace, central air-conditioning system, exhaust fan, or ventilation setup can change pressure inside the home. This may affect how air moves between the soil, lower level, and occupied rooms.

Check again after major mechanical changes, especially when work affects the basement or crawlspace. EPA guidance specifically recommends another test after installing a new heating system or central air conditioning.

When You Start Using a Lower Level

A basement may begin as storage and later become a bedroom, office, playroom, or family room. When living patterns change, test the level where people will spend time.

Do not rely only on an upstairs result. The lowest occupied floor may show a different concentration. EPA guidance recommends retesting when a previously unused lower level becomes occupied.

After System Installation or Repair

A post-installation test confirms whether new equipment lowered the indoor concentration. EPA guidance says this check should occur within 30 days of installation, but no sooner than 24 hours after the system starts operating.

Test again after major repairs, fan replacement, vent changes, or work around a sump cover or suction point. Continue checking every two years even when the pressure gauge looks normal. The gauge shows fan suction, not the amount of radon in the living space.

Why Can Levels Change?

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter through foundation cracks, construction joints, sump openings, utility gaps, crawlspace soil, and other pathways.

Several conditions may change the indoor concentration:

Foundation movement: Settling can create cracks or enlarge openings, giving soil gas a new path indoors.
Weather and seasons: Rain, frozen soil, wind, and temperature differences can affect soil pressure and building airflow.
Mechanical equipment: Furnaces, fireplaces, exhaust fans, and ventilation equipment can change pressure inside the home.
Renovations and occupancy: New rooms, walls, floors, or use of a lower level can affect airflow and exposure.

A neighbor’s result cannot define your risk. Measurements can vary between nearby properties. Elevated levels have also been found in all 83 Michigan counties, so location alone cannot confirm whether an individual property has a problem.

Short-Term and Long-Term Tests

A short-term device usually remains in place for a few days to several weeks. It offers a faster snapshot and is often used for an initial check, a real estate transaction, or confirmation after system work.

A long-term device stays in the home for more than 90 days. Because indoor concentrations rise and fall, this method may provide a better estimate of the year-round average.

Choose the method based on your goal:

Short-term testing: Useful when you need timely information. Follow closed-house instructions carefully.
Long-term testing: Helpful when you want a broader view across changing weather and household conditions.
Professional measurement: Appropriate for real estate deadlines, unusual layouts, disputed results, or system evaluation.

Always follow the device directions. Poor placement, open windows, or moving the device can affect the result. EPA guidance states that approved devices can provide reliable information when they are used correctly.

Create a Simple Testing Schedule

Use these reminders:

Test when moving into a property or when the available report is outdated.
Repeat the test at least every two years.
Check after remodeling, foundation work, or HVAC changes.
Test a lower floor when it becomes living space.
Verify results after installing or repairing reduction equipment.
Save every report for future comparison.

A calendar reminder can help you stay consistent.

Make Radon Awareness Part of Home Care

For most homes, checking at least every two years is a sensible schedule. Test sooner after property changes, new occupancy patterns, or system work. A newer home, a low previous result, or operating reduction equipment does not remove the need for future measurements.

Elevate Radon Defense helps property owners understand their results and decide whether further evaluation or a property-specific reduction plan is appropriate. Our team serves Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect During Radon Mitigation

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:48:33 GMT

An elevated radon result can feel stressful, but the correction process is usually clear. A qualified contractor studies the building and designs a system that draws soil gas away before it reaches occupied rooms.

Understanding the process helps you prepare and maintain the equipment.

Reviewing the Test Results

The process begins with reliable test results. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter, written as pCi/L. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action when a confirmed result is 4 pCi/L or higher. The contractor may review the test location, test length, building conditions, and testing instructions.

The technician will also ask how the property is used. A finished basement, lower-level office, or rental unit may affect the plan. Testing data should guide the work, not assumptions about the neighborhood or building age.

Inspecting the Property

The contractor first examines the foundation and accessible areas. A property may have a basement, slab-on-grade foundation, crawlspace, or a combination of these features. Mixed foundations can require more than one suction point.

The inspection may cover:

Foundation conditions: The technician looks for cracks, floor drains, sump pits, utility openings, and joints where soil gas may enter.
Possible pipe routes: The contractor plans a path from the lowest level to a safe outdoor discharge point.
Electrical access: An active radon reduction system uses a fan that runs continuously and needs a suitable power source.
Exterior clearances: The exhaust must release gas where it will not easily return through building openings.

Michigan does not license or regulate radon contractors. The state encourages choosing professionals certified through the National Radon Proficiency Program or National Radon Safety Board.

Diagnostic Testing and System Design

Some properties need diagnostic testing. The contractor may drill a small test hole and measure pressure or airflow beneath the slab. This shows how easily air moves through the material below the foundation.

The results help determine suction point locations, the correct fan, and whether foundation sections must be connected. A larger fan is not automatically better. The equipment should fit the foundation, soil conditions, pipe layout, and starting level.

Preparing for Installation

The contractor will explain which areas must remain accessible. You may need to move storage away from a sump pit, basement wall, crawlspace entrance, or planned pipe route. Keep children and pets away from the work zone.

Installation may involve drilling concrete, cutting pipe, sealing openings, and mounting a fan. Expect temporary noise and some dust. The crew should protect nearby surfaces and clean the work area.

Creating the Suction Point and Vent Route

The most common technique is active soil depressurization. The contractor creates one or more openings through the slab and removes a small amount of material below it. This forms a suction point where soil gas can be collected.

A gas-tight pipe connects the opening to a fan. Lower pressure beneath the foundation draws radon toward the pipe instead of into indoor air. The pipe carries the gas to an approved outdoor discharge location. The EPA generally recommends methods that prevent radon from entering the building.

Piping may run through a garage or unoccupied attic, or along an exterior wall. The fan should not be placed in or below a livable area. Keeping it outside occupied space reduces the chance that an exhaust-side leak could release concentrated gas indoors.

Sealing Openings and Crawlspaces

Sealing supports the main reduction method, but it is rarely a complete solution by itself. The contractor may seal around the suction pipe, sump cover, plumbing openings, accessible cracks, and other major gaps.

The goal is better pressure control, not a perfectly airtight foundation. A crawlspace may also require a durable membrane over exposed soil. The material is sealed at seams, walls, supports, and pipe openings, and a suction pipe draws gas from beneath it.

Installing the Fan and Warning Device

The fan is installed outdoors, in a garage area, or in an unconditioned attic. It must be powered according to local code and should run continuously.

Most active systems include a manometer or another warning device. A manometer is a small pressure gauge attached to the pipe. It shows whether the fan is creating suction, but it does not measure the indoor radon level.

Before leaving, the contractor should:

show you the normal gauge reading and fan sound;
label the main system components;
explain what an alarm or unusual reading means; and
provide operating, maintenance, and warranty information.

EPA guidance says active systems should include an easily noticed warning device, and electrical work must follow local codes.

Completing the Follow-Up Test

Testing confirms whether the installation is working. EPA guidance states that a post-installation test should be completed within 30 days, but no sooner than 24 hours after the system begins operating. A two- to seven-day measurement is recommended for this check.

Place the device in the lowest regularly occupied level or another suitable location. Avoid setting it beside the fan, vent pipe, an open window, or a strong airflow source.

If the result remains elevated, the contractor may inspect seals, adjust the design, add a suction point, or address another foundation section. Success should be based on an indoor test, not only on whether the fan turns on.

What Happens After Installation?

Check the warning gauge regularly and learn the normal fan sound. Contact a service professional if the gauge becomes level, the alarm activates, the fan stops, or unusual noise develops.

Retest at least every two years and after major remodeling or foundation work. The EPA states that radon reduction systems need occasional maintenance and recommends regular retesting.

Keep the system diagram, test results, warranty, and service records for future repairs, sales, or renovations.

Conclusion

Radon mitigation may include test review, a property inspection, diagnostic testing, suction-point installation, vent piping, sealing, fan setup, and a follow-up measurement. The exact design depends on the foundation and how air moves beneath the property.

You should not have to guess about radon inside your home or business.

Elevate Radon Defense helps homeowners and business owners understand their test results and choose a radon reduction solution suited to their property. Our team serves Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Speak with our specialists to review your concerns and plan the appropriate next steps for healthier indoor air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Signs Your Radon System Needs Repair

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:44:53 GMT

A radon reduction system works quietly, so it is easy to assume everything is fine. However, a failed fan, loose pipe, blockage, or damaged seal can reduce its performance. Because radon has no color or smell, testing is the only reliable way to know the level. Long-term exposure can increase lung cancer risk.

Knowing the signs your radon system needs repair can help you respond early. Some are visible, while others require testing or professional service.

How a Radon System Should Work

Most active systems use a fan and sealed pipe to draw soil gas from beneath the foundation and release it outdoors. A pressure gauge, or manometer, shows whether the fan creates suction.

The gauge does not measure indoor radon. It shows system pressure. A normal reading is based on the level recorded after installation. A working fan should run continuously and make a steady, low sound.

Seven Signs Your Radon System May Need Repair

1. The Pressure Gauge Is Level

Many manometers contain two columns of colored liquid. When the system is operating, the columns usually sit at different heights. If both sides are level, the fan may be off, the pipe may be blocked, or the system may have lost suction.

Compare the reading with the original system label. Do not adjust the gauge or assume one number fits every property. A technician can check pressure, airflow, power, and the suction point.

2. The Fan Is Silent

A radon fan should run all day. If you can no longer hear its normal sound, check whether a labeled switch or circuit breaker was turned off. Do not keep resetting a breaker that repeatedly trips.

A silent fan may have lost power or reached the end of its service life. The EPA notes that fans can last five years or more before repair or replacement may be needed.

3. The Fan Makes an Unusual Noise

Grinding, rattling, buzzing, or strong vibration can point to worn parts, loose hardware, moisture, or debris. A continuing noise should be checked.

Vibration may loosen connections over time. Radon fan replacement may be needed when the motor or housing no longer operates correctly.

4. A Warning Alarm Activates

Some systems use an alarm, monitor, or warning light when airflow or pressure changes. The alert does not measure indoor radon, but it shows that the system needs attention.

Confirm that power is available and check the system instructions. If the warning continues, arrange a radon system inspection. The EPA advises property owners to check warning devices regularly.

5. Radon Test Results Rise

An elevated result is an important warning. Higher readings may result from fan failure, soil changes, foundation movement, remodeling, or a different test location.

The EPA recommends action when a confirmed result is 4 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, or higher. Michigan guidance recommends testing every two years, including properties with an installed system, because foundations and indoor conditions can change.

A professional can review the test location, system design, and airflow before recommending radon mitigation repair.

6. Pipes, Seals, or Covers Are Damaged

Visible damage can allow air leaks or reduce suction. Look for:

Cracked or separated pipe joints: A loose fitting can leak soil gas or weaken airflow. Household tape is not a lasting repair.
A loose sump cover: Systems connected to a sump need a tight cover. Gaps around the lid or lines may affect performance.
Failed foundation seals: New cracks or damaged sealant near pipe entry points can change airflow beneath the slab.
A damaged exhaust route: Storms, roofing work, siding work, or animal activity may affect outdoor components.

A visual check cannot replace testing, but it can reveal service needs.

7. The Property Has Changed

Finishing a basement, changing HVAC equipment, modifying a crawl space, installing drainage, or building an addition may affect pressure and airflow. The system may still run but perform differently.

After major work, complete a radon test and request a system review when needed. EPA guidance recommends retesting after remodeling because structural changes can reduce system effectiveness.

Safe Checks You Can Make

A few observations can help the service team understand the problem:

Record the gauge reading: Compare it with the installer’s starting level and take a photo.
Listen to the fan: Note whether it is silent, louder, or vibrating more than usual.
Check visible power controls: Look for a tripped breaker or switched-off labeled outlet, but avoid electrical work.
Review recent changes: Mention storms, roof work, foundation repairs, sump work, remodeling, or new test results.
Inspect visible components: Look for loose joints, damaged pipe, failed seals, or a loose sump cover.

Do not open the fan, cut the pipe, or change settings without training. Incorrect work may create leaks or direct soil gas toward occupied areas.

What Happens During Radon System Repair?

A technician may inspect the fan, gauge, alarm, power supply, vent route, connections, sump cover, seals, and suction point. Pressure and airflow measurements can identify the problem.

Service may include sealing a connection, correcting a loose cover, clearing a restriction, repairing a monitor, replacing a failed fan, or modifying the design after property changes. A larger fan is not always the answer. Performance depends on the foundation, soil movement, pipe layout, and available suction.

Radon testing after repair confirms performance. Keep the result, service notes, and updated gauge reading with the property records.

How to Reduce Future System Problems

Radon mitigation system maintenance is simple but should be consistent. Check the gauge and warning device monthly, learn the normal fan sound, and inspect outdoor parts after storms or exterior work.

Retest at least every two years and after remodeling, foundation changes, or repairs. A running fan does not prove that indoor levels remain low. Michigan officials encourage residents to use certified radon professionals, although the state does not license testers and mitigators.

Conclusion: Protect Your Indoor Air

A level gauge, silent fan, warning alarm, unusual noise, damaged component, or rising result can signal the need for radon system repair. Prompt service helps identify whether the issue involves power, airflow, seals, equipment, or property changes.

You should not have to guess about radon inside your home or business.

Elevate Radon Defense provides clear testing, property-specific mitigation, and reliable system service throughout Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Contact our team to discuss your property and request a radon consultation.