Radon Testing
Cedar Rapids radon testing — 48-hour results, lender-accepted reports.
Continuous radon monitors for real-estate timelines, 90-day alpha-track devices for true annual baseline. EPA-protocol setup. Same-day quotes. Free pricing on request.
What we test with
For short-term testing we use professional-grade continuous radon monitors (CRMs) from Sun Nuclear, RadStar, and AirThings Corentium Pro. Every CRM logs an hourly reading for the full 48-hour test, plus temperature, humidity, and tamper alerts (significant motion or movement during the test triggers an alert in the report). The CRM sits on the lowest livable floor at least 20 inches off the ground and at least 12 inches from an exterior wall — per EPA short-term test protocol.
For long-term testing we deploy 90-day alpha-track detectors. The detector is a small plastic film cartridge that captures alpha-particle hits over the full 90-day period, then gets sent to a certified lab for analysis. Long-term results are more representative of your actual annual exposure because they capture both winter peak and summer trough seasons.
When to use which test
Real estate transactions
48-hour CRM, full stop. Most Iowa lenders and most major Cedar Rapids real-estate brokerages require CRM testing under EPA short-term protocol. We deliver a one-page summary report the same day the test ends, plus the full hourly log if your buyer’s lender wants it. See our real estate radon page for transaction packages.
New homeowner moving in
Start with a 48-hour CRM in your first winter heating season. If it comes back under 2 pCi/L you’re probably fine. If it comes back 2–3.9 pCi/L, follow up with a 90-day alpha-track to confirm. If it comes back 4 pCi/L or higher, skip the retest and move to mitigation.
Periodic recheck of an existing mitigation system
The EPA recommends retesting every two years after a mitigation install. We do this for repeat customers on a calendar reminder — usually a 48-hour CRM run in winter to capture worst-case conditions.
Long-term baseline for a homeowner who’s never tested
If you’ve owned the home for 5+ years and never run a test, a 90-day alpha-track over the fall–winter period gives you the most accurate single number you can get. Pair it with a 48-hour CRM in February for the seasonal worst-case picture.
How the test works, start to finish
Day 0 (schedule)
Call or fill out the form. We confirm the address, basement type, and target test window. For real-estate transactions we coordinate with your agent on the closing date.
Day 1 (deploy)
Our tester places the CRM on the lowest livable floor and confirms closed-house conditions are in place. We leave a one-page guide explaining what to avoid during the test.
Days 2–3 (test runs)
The CRM logs hourly readings. Homeowner doesn’t need to do anything — just live normally and keep windows closed.
Day 3 (pickup & report)
We pick up the device, download the data, and email you a report the same day. If the test is being delivered to a buyer/lender, we send to all parties in CC.
If elevated: mitigation conversation
If your number is 4 pCi/L or higher, we’ll go over your mitigation options on the phone. No pressure, no quote pressure. You decide.
What we test for, and why pricing varies
Pricing depends on test type and turnaround. Short-term CRM tests cost more than long-term alpha-track because of the equipment time on site; multi-zone testing (more than one basement zone, or testing a finished basement plus a slab area), commercial buildings, and rush turnaround inside 24 hours all add to the quote. Long-term alpha-track tests include lab analysis in the price. We’ll quote any combination on the call.
Frequently asked questions
Short-term test vs. long-term test — which one do I actually need?
For a real-estate transaction or any situation where you need a number this week, run a 48-hour short-term test with a continuous radon monitor (CRM). That’s the EPA-accepted standard for lender and inspection contingencies. For a homeowner who wants the most accurate annual-average exposure picture, run a 90-day alpha-track test. Radon levels swing seasonally in Iowa — winter readings are typically 30–60% higher than summer readings because the heated house pulls more air up through the slab. A short-term test captures a snapshot; a long-term test captures the truth.
Why use a continuous monitor instead of a charcoal canister?
Charcoal canisters give you one number for the whole test period and have no way to detect tampering. CRMs log hourly readings, so we can see exactly when radon levels spiked and whether closed-house conditions were actually maintained. If someone opened a basement window or ran a whole-house fan during the test, the CRM data shows it. For real-estate transactions in Iowa, most major lenders and inspectors now require CRM testing, not canisters.
What are “closed-house conditions” and why do they matter?
Closed-house conditions mean the home has been closed up for at least 12 hours before the test starts and stays closed during the 48-hour test. Windows and doors stay shut except for normal entry/exit. No whole-house fans, no continuous bath-fan operation, no fireplace use. HVAC runs normally. The reason: radon levels are determined by the pressure differential between indoor and outdoor air, and an open window destroys that differential. A test run with windows open will read low, but the moment you close them up for winter you’re back to the actual radon level.
If my test comes back at 3.9 pCi/L, am I really safe?
Technically you’re below the EPA’s 4 pCi/L action level. But the EPA also says you should consider mitigation at 2 pCi/L and above, because there’s no known safe threshold for radon exposure. A reading of 3.9 today could easily be 5.5 in winter. If you have a finished basement that gets a lot of use — home office, bedroom, kids’ play space — most mitigators (including us) recommend a system. If the basement is mostly utility, you can reasonably leave it and retest annually.
Can I trust a $25 DIY radon kit from the hardware store?
DIY charcoal kits can be useful as a screening tool — if you get a reading of 0.5 pCi/L, you’re almost certainly fine. But they’re not lab-grade, they have no tamper detection, and you don’t get hourly data. For a real number you’d stake a mitigation decision on, use a CRM run by a certified tester. The cost difference is real, but you’re paying for calibrated equipment, EPA-protocol setup, and a written report a lender will accept.
Call Now
(319) 774-8138
Cedar Rapids radon team. We answer Mon–Sat during business hours. Voicemails returned within 24 hours.
Call (319) 774-8138Have ready when you call:
- Your address (we’ll pull the assessor record)
- Year built and basement type, if you know them
- Any recent radon test result
- Closing date, if it’s a real-estate transaction
Or email info@cedarrapidsradonpros.com.