The Radon Testing Process: What Virginia Homeowners Need to Know
Radon gas is a serious, invisible threat that affects homes across Virginia and beyond. As a naturally occurring radioactive gas created by the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, radon can seep into your home through foundation cracks, crawl spaces, and other openings. Because it’s colorless and odorless, the only way to detect it is through a radon test—and knowing your home’s radon levels could literally save your life.
At Astrid Environmental Services, we help homeowners identify and reduce radon exposure through comprehensive radon testing and mitigation solutions. Here’s what you should know about the radon testing process, why it matters, and how our team can help keep your indoor air safe.
Why Radon Testing Is Essential
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States—responsible for thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. The EPA recommends testing every home, regardless of age or location, because high levels of radon can occur anywhere, even in new homes and properties without basements.
Radon enters through cracks, gaps, and even porous building materials. It often collects in lower levels of a house, such as basements and crawl spaces, where air circulation is limited. Over time, breathing air with elevated levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, even in non-smokers.
Understanding the Radon Testing Process
When you schedule a radon test with Astrid Environmental Services, our radon professionals follow established testing protocols to ensure accuracy. Testing typically occurs over a designated testing period, during which we measure radon concentration in your indoor air using specialized test devices.
There are two types of radon tests:
Short-term radon tests (lasting 2–7 days) use devices such as charcoal canisters, alpha track detectors, or continuous radon monitors to quickly gauge radon levels.
Long-term tests (lasting 90 days or more) provide a more comprehensive look at average radon levels, accounting for fluctuations due to changing seasons, weather, and humidity levels.
Our team conducts tests under closed-home conditions (meaning windows and doors remain shut except for normal entry) to ensure accurate readings.
Once the radon measurement is complete, you’ll receive detailed radon test results expressed in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends action if results meet or exceed 4.0 pCi/L, known as the action level.
What Happens If Elevated Radon Levels Are Found
If your home’s test reveals high levels of radon, don’t panic; it’s a common and fixable issue. Astrid Environmental Services offers radon mitigation and radon remediation solutions to lower radon concentrations and protect your home’s air quality.
A radon mitigation system often involves:
Installing a vent pipe and fan to draw radon gas from beneath your foundation and release it safely outdoors
Sealing cracks, joints, and plastic sheeting in crawl spaces to prevent gas infiltration
Improving airflow and maintaining proper humidity levels to enhance long-term safety
After mitigation, a retest is performed to confirm that radon reductions have been achieved and your home’s radon levels are safely below the EPA threshold.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on DIY Test Kits
While radon test kits are available at hardware stores, do-it-yourself testing often produces inaccurate results due to improper placement, high humidity, or not maintaining closed-home conditions. Certified radon testers, like the experts at Astrid Environmental Services, follow strict EPA and National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) protocols to ensure reliable readings and actionable data.
When it comes to radon exposure, accuracy matters. This is not a home improvement project to attempt on your own.
Schedule Your Radon Test with Astrid Environmental Services
If you’re a Virginia homeowner or home buyer, testing your home for radon is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health. Astrid Environmental Services offers certified radon testing, radon mitigation systems, and radon remediation services throughout Southwest Virginia.
Don’t wait until a radon problem threatens your home or family’s health. Contact Astrid Environmental Services today to schedule your radon inspection and gain peace of mind knowing your home’s indoor air is safe.