What radon level assessment actually measures
A radon level assessment is a test that measures how much radon gas is present in your home, reported in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The test tells you whether radon is entering your home from the soil beneath your foundation, and at what concentration. That number drives every decision that follows: whether you need mitigation, how urgent it is, and what system will work best.
We use two main testing methods depending on what you need to know. A
short-term test runs for 2 to 7 days and gives you a quick snapshot of current levels. A long-term test runs for 90 days or more and captures seasonal variation, since radon levels naturally rise and fall with temperature and barometric pressure. Both measure the same unit and meet EPA standards.
Why your home needs a radon level assessment
Radon enters homes from the soil through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, sump pit openings, and other soil-to-home pathways. It is colorless, odorless, and invisible without testing. The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. If your home tests at or above that level, the EPA recommends mitigation. The WHO reference level is 2.7 pCi/L, a stricter standard many homeowners choose to follow.
Georgia homes are at genuine risk. The granite and gneiss bedrock geology of North Georgia, particularly in Cobb, Forsyth, Pickens, and Cherokee counties, naturally produces radon. Even warm Atlanta climates do not prevent radon entry. Basements, crawl spaces, and slab-on-grade homes all can have elevated radon. If you are buying a home, refinancing, or simply want to confirm your family is safe, an assessment is the only way to know.
How we perform radon level assessments
We follow ANSI/AARST radon standards and EPA testing protocols. Our technicians hold National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) certification or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) certification, meaning they have passed rigorous exams and completed ongoing training in radon measurement and interpretation.
When you call for an assessment, we schedule a time that works with your schedule. For a short-term test, we arrive to place detectors in the lowest lived-in area of your home, usually the basement or ground floor. We use a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM), an active electronic device that records radon levels in real time and stores data. Alternatively, we may deploy an alpha track detector, a passive device left in place for the duration and sent to a lab for analysis. Both are valid. We discuss which fits your timeline and needs.
During the test period, your home must be in “closed-house conditions.” This means windows and doors stay closed except for normal entry and exit. Heating and cooling systems run as usual. We explain this upfront so nothing surprises you. We return at the end of the test window to collect equipment and retrieve your data.
For a long-term test, the process is nearly identical, but the detector sits in place for 90 days or longer. This captures winter highs and summer lows, giving a more complete picture of your actual radon risk. Long-term testing is more expensive and takes longer, but it is far more reliable for decision-making.
After the test, we provide a written report showing the exact radon level in pCi/L. We explain what that number means in plain language and whether the EPA recommends action.
What radon levels mean for your home
Here’s the key threshold: EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Results at or above 4.0 pCi/L warrant
radon reduction service. Below 4.0, no EPA action is required, but that doesn’t mean zero risk.
What if my radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L?
You are below the EPA action level but above the WHO reference level of 2.7 pCi/L. Radon is present. The EPA acknowledges a risk even in this range, and some homeowners choose mitigation anyway, especially if young children or pregnant women live in the home. Others accept the lower risk. This is your choice to make with full information. We can discuss your options if you want.
What if my radon level spiked after I remodeled my basement?
Basement remodeling often uncovers radon risk. If you sealed cracks, installed new flooring, or added an addition, you may have inadvertently created or worsened soil-to-home connections. New pathways open, or old ones get more direct. A post-remodel assessment usually explains the jump. If levels are now elevated,
sub-slab depressurization can redirect radon gas safely out of the home, typically reducing levels by 80 to 99 percent.
Is radon really a problem in Atlanta even though the climate is warm?
Yes. Warm climate does not prevent radon entry. Radon comes from radioactive uranium in the soil, not from outdoor air quality. A warm day outside does not stop soil gas from being pulled into your home. In fact, winter can make it worse, when heated indoor air drops pressure relative to the cooler soil, pulling more radon in. Atlanta humidity and heat do not protect you.
Do slab-on-grade homes in Atlanta have radon problems?
Slab-on-grade homes are just as vulnerable as basements or crawl spaces. Radon enters through cracks, control joints, the perimeter bond break, and plumbing penetrations. We test slab-on-grade homes regularly and find elevated radon in all kinds of soil types. A test is the only way to know your level.
Radon assessment in different Atlanta-area counties
We serve radon testing across Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Pickens, Gwinnett, and surrounding counties. Radon risk varies by county based on local geology, but it is present in all of them. Granite bedrock in northern counties like Forsyth and Pickens naturally hosts radon. Clay and soil in southern counties like Clayton do not eliminate risk. A geological zone does not guarantee safety. Testing is the only certainty.
What happens after your assessment
Once you have your radon level, you have data. If your result is below 4.0 pCi/L, you can rest. If it is at or above 4.0 pCi/L, we discuss your options. We offer
radon mitigation system installation using active sub-slab depressurization, the EPA’s recommended first-line method. We also handle sub-membrane depressurization for crawl spaces.
If you choose mitigation, we install a system and conduct a post-mitigation verification test within 30 days to confirm the system reduced your level below 4.0 pCi/L. That verification gives you proof that the work solved the problem.
Radon level assessment costs and timeline
Short-term testing is faster and less expensive than long-term. Expect a short-term test to take 2 to 7 days and cost less than long-term, which runs 90 days or more. We provide pricing once we understand your home’s size and layout. There are no hidden fees. You pay for the test, the equipment, the lab analysis if applicable, and the written report.
If your test result triggers a mitigation recommendation and you move forward with us, we credit a portion of your assessment cost toward the final mitigation invoice. This acknowledges that testing and fixing are one process, not two separate bills.
Your questions about radon assessment, answered
How long does a radon level assessment take?
A short-term test takes 2 to 7 days from placement to data collection. We arrive, set up, and you live normally for a few days. A long-term test takes 90 days or longer. We return at the end of the window to retrieve equipment. Report turnaround is usually 1 to 2 business days after we collect the detector.
Can I do a radon test myself?
You can purchase a DIY radon test kit from a hardware store. It is cheaper than hiring a professional. The trade-off: DIY kits are passive devices with no real-time monitoring, and analysis depends entirely on your follow-through. Many homeowners buy a kit, place it, forget about closed-house conditions, and get false results. If you plan to act on the result, hiring a
certified radon testing professional reduces interpretation error. We follow EPA protocols exactly so your result is defensible.
Does homeowners insurance cover radon mitigation in Georgia?
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover radon testing or mitigation. Radon is considered a naturally occurring hazard, not a sudden accident or loss. You pay for testing and mitigation yourself. That said, if you are buying a home and the inspection reveals elevated radon, your purchase agreement may require the seller to address it. We have worked with real estate agents and buyers to clarify radon findings and discuss cost responsibility.
What is the average radon level in Atlanta, Georgia homes?
We cannot speak to a true average without testing thousands of homes, which we have not done. What we know: radon is found in Atlanta-area homes across all income levels, neighborhoods, and construction types. Some homes have no radon. Others have levels well above 4.0 pCi/L. The only way to know yours is to test.
What radon level requires mitigation in Georgia?
The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. At or above that, mitigation is recommended. Georgia has no separate state-level radon standard that overrides EPA guidance. That said, you can choose to mitigate below 4.0 if you prefer stricter safety. The decision is yours once you know the number.
What is the Georgia Seller’s Property Disclosure Act, and does it mention radon?
Under O.C.G.A. § 44-1-16, Georgia sellers must disclose known radon to potential buyers. If a seller tested and found radon, or suspects it, that goes on the disclosure form. Many sellers conduct pre-listing
residential radon testing to know what they are selling. That test protects both seller and buyer from disputes later.
How accurate is radon testing?
Accuracy depends on method, placement, and adherence to closed-house conditions. A professionally conducted short-term test using a Continuous Radon Monitor meets EPA accuracy standards. Long-term testing is more reliable over time. Lab analysis of passive detectors adds a third-party check. Our NRPP and NRSB certifications mean we understand these nuances and avoid common mistakes.
Can radon levels change between seasons?
Yes. Radon levels are typically higher in winter when heating systems lower indoor pressure and soil-to-home drafts strengthen. Spring and summer usually show lower levels. This is why long-term testing over 90 days captures the full picture. If your short-term test was in summer and came back low, a winter retest might show different results.
What should I do if I find out my home has elevated radon?
First, stay calm. Radon can be fixed. Second, do not delay. Ongoing radon exposure carries real health risk, and mitigation works. Third, get a quote from a radon mitigation contractor. We offer
sub-slab depressurization installation with a 30-day post-mitigation verification test. If the system works, you are done. If it does not, we troubleshoot. Once your level drops below 4.0 pCi/L, the problem is solved.
