Where in my house should the test be placed?

For homes with a finished basement used as living space, testing happens there since it is the lowest lived-in level under EPA guidance. For homes with an unfinished, rarely used basement, testing on the main floor may better represent typical exposure, which we discuss with you directly.

Do older homes with stone foundations need different testing?

The testing method itself does not change, but older foundations, including stone or rubble construction common in some historic Indianapolis neighborhoods, can have more varied entry points, so we pay close attention to foundation condition during the site visit in addition to placing the test device.

Should I test again after finishing my basement?

Yes, finishing a basement changes airflow patterns and can change how radon accumulates in that newly occupied space, so retesting after the renovation is a reasonable step, especially since the finished basement likely becomes the correct testing location going forward.

How much does residential testing cost?

Cost depends on the device type and test duration, with short-term tests generally less than long-term alpha-track testing or continuous monitor placements. A specific quote is easiest to provide once we know your foundation type and timeline.

Can I test just one room instead of the whole house?

Radon testing protocol focuses on the lowest lived-in level of the home rather than individual rooms, since that level is generally the most representative of a household's typical exposure, though additional devices can be placed in specific rooms of concern if requested.

What if I rent my home instead of owning it?

Renters can still request testing, though decisions about mitigation typically fall to the property owner. We can test the unit and provide documentation that a tenant can share with a landlord if elevated levels are found.

Residential Radon Testing Indianapolis

Residential Radon Testing

Every house is different, and a residential radon test measures the specific home you live in rather than a neighborhood estimate. We test single-family homes across Indianapolis and Central Indiana with the same protocol whether the goal is a homeowner's curiosity, a real estate deadline, or peace of mind after moving in.

Residential Testing Fits the Home, Not a Template

A ranch on a slab foundation in Pike Township, a two-story colonial with a full basement in Fishers, and a bungalow with a stone rubble foundation near Fountain Square each present different testing considerations, from where the lowest lived-in level actually is to how HVAC systems circulate air between floors. We evaluate the specific home before deciding on device placement, not just default to one universal spot.

For homes with a finished basement used as regular living space, EPA guidance places the test there since it is the space occupants actually spend time in. For homes with an unfinished basement rarely used, testing on the main floor may better represent typical daily exposure, and we discuss this with the homeowner before placing devices.

Foundation Types We Commonly Test

Full basements, whether finished or unfinished, are the most common foundation type we test in older Indianapolis neighborhoods, and testing typically happens at the lowest lived-in level per protocol. Slab-on-grade homes, common in many newer suburban subdivisions, are tested at the main living level since there is no basement to consider. Crawl space homes require attention to whether the crawl space is vented, sealed, or conditioned, since that affects how radon migrates into the living space above.

Homes with a combination, such as a partial basement and a partial crawl space under an addition, sometimes warrant more than one test device to capture an accurate picture across the different foundation zones.

Full basement homes tested at the lowest lived-in level
Slab-on-grade homes tested at the main living floor
Crawl space homes evaluated for ventilation and sealing status
Multi-foundation homes considered for additional device placement

Sealed radon suction riser and U-tube manometer in an unfinished poured concrete basement

Choosing Short-Term or Long-Term Testing

Homeowners not facing a transaction deadline often benefit from a long-term alpha-track test that runs 90 days or more, capturing a full seasonal picture rather than a single snapshot, since radon levels typically run higher in winter when homes are sealed tightly. Homeowners who want a quicker answer, or who are dealing with a real estate timeline, generally use a short-term charcoal, electret, or continuous monitor test instead.

Testing a Newly Purchased Home

Even if a prior owner tested the home before selling, many new homeowners choose to retest shortly after moving in, particularly if they plan to finish a basement, change how they use certain rooms, or simply want a fresh baseline under their own household's HVAC settings and habits.

What Homeowners Should Do Before Testing

Closed-house conditions need to be established roughly 12 hours before test placement and maintained through the full test period, meaning windows and exterior doors stay closed except for normal entry and exit. We ask homeowners to keep HVAC systems running in their normal operating mode and to avoid running whole-house fans or opening the home up for unusual ventilation during the test window.

Inline radon exhaust fan mounted on exterior PVC piping at a Central Indiana home in winter

After the Test: What Comes Next

A result below 2 pCi/L generally means no action is needed, though periodic retesting every few years is still a reasonable practice since levels can change over time with foundation settling or renovation. A result between 2 and 4 pCi/L falls in the range EPA says to consider fixing, and a result at or above 4.0 pCi/L is the level EPA recommends addressing with a mitigation system.