Radon Testing Before Buying a Home: Why It’s a Smart Move
When you're in the middle of a real estate transaction, it's easy to focus on visible issues—cracks in the walls, aging appliances, or roof condition. But one of the most serious threats to your future home's indoor air quality is invisible, odorless, and often overlooked: radon gas.
At Astrid Environmental Services, we help homeowners and homebuyers across Virginia protect their families with expert radon testing services. If you're preparing to buy a home, here’s why scheduling a radon test before closing is one of the smartest decisions you can make to protect your family.
What Is Radon and Why It Matters
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms underground when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, crawl spaces, or even through the concrete floor of a laundry room or basement. Once inside, it can accumulate to unsafe levels without any noticeable signs—it’s completely odorless, invisible, and tasteless.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have classified indoor radon exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. The EPA’s action level for radon is 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Anything at or above this level warrants action, but even lower radon levels can pose public health risks over time.
Why DIY Radon Test Kits Aren’t Enough
While radon test kits are available in hardware stores, they're often inconsistent and lack the accuracy required in a home purchase. DIY tests may not consider critical variables such as:
Proper placement at the lowest livable level of the home
The impact of weather conditions on radon concentration
Testing during or after recent renovations or a home improvement project
Radon measurement conducted by radon experts certified by organizations like the National Radon Proficiency Program or National Radon Safety Board ensures that your test results are accurate and actionable. An expert will know when to use a short-term radon test or a long-term test, and can help you interpret the data correctly.
What Happens If the Test Shows Elevated Levels?
If high levels of radon are detected—typically at or above the 4.0 pCi/L action level—it doesn’t mean you have to walk away from the home. It means you need to plan for a radon mitigation system to safely reduce the radon concentration.
Radon remediation is a well-established process that often involves installing a radon mitigation system including a vent pipe and fan system to draw radon gas from below the home and vent it safely outside. These systems are especially effective in crawl spaces and basements, where radon tends to accumulate.
After mitigation, a follow-up test (or retest) is performed to ensure that radon reductions are successful and that the home is safe.
When Should You Schedule the First Test?
The best time to conduct your first test is before closing on a home. Including radon testing as part of your real estate transaction allows you to:
Request mitigation as part of your agreement if elevated levels are found
Gain a full understanding of the home's air quality and environmental health
Avoid unexpected costs or delays later
Testing early ensures peace of mind and gives you time to address any radon problem before moving in so you can avoid exposure.
Contact Astrid Environmental Services for Radon Testing
Don’t leave your family’s safety to a do-it-yourself kit. At Astrid Environmental Services, we offer certified radon measurement and testing, as well as mold inspections for homebuyers, throughout Wytheville and surrounding areas in Virginia.
Our trained team uses professional equipment to deliver accurate, reliable test results so you can make an informed decision during your home purchase. If you're buying a home, don’t skip this important step. Contact us today to schedule your radon test and protect your next investment—before you move in.