Radon Testing in Northeast Denver, Colorado

Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that can accumulate inside any home. Because it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, testing is the only way to determine a home’s radon level.

HomeTeam Inspection Service provides professional radon testing in Northeast Denver and surrounding communities. Whether you are buying, selling, building, or maintaining a home, our team can provide reliable measurements and clear results to help you determine the appropriate next steps.

Schedule Your Radon Test or call 720-791-2383.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can move through the ground and enter a home through cracks, gaps, joints, utility penetrations, crawlspaces, and other openings near the foundation.

Once inside, radon may become trapped and accumulate to elevated levels. Any home can have a radon concern, including:

• New and older homes
• Homes with basements
• Slab-on-grade homes
• Homes with crawlspaces
• Well-sealed and energy-efficient homes
• Homes with or without existing mitigation systems

Radon levels can vary significantly from one property to the next. A neighbor’s test result cannot predict the radon level in your home.

Why Is Radon Testing Important in Colorado?

Radon exposure is a serious indoor air-quality concern. The EPA identifies radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among people who do not smoke.

Colorado’s geology makes professional radon testing particularly important for homeowners and real estate buyers throughout the Denver metro area. Elevated radon levels have been found in homes across the state, but the only way to know a specific property’s level is to test it.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends testing homes for radon and taking steps to reduce elevated levels when necessary.

How Does Radon Enter a Home?

Differences in air pressure can draw soil gases, including radon, into a home. Radon may enter through:

• Cracks in concrete floors and foundation walls
• Construction joints
• Gaps around utility penetrations
• Sump pits
• Floor drains
• Crawlspaces
• Openings around pipes
• Spaces between walls and foundations
• Other gaps in contact with the soil

Radon can enter newly constructed homes as well as existing properties. Building age, appearance, foundation type, and maintenance history cannot determine whether elevated levels are present.

How Does Professional Radon Testing Work?

HomeTeam places specialized radon-measurement equipment in an appropriate area of the home. The device remains in place for the required testing period while monitoring the indoor air.

The testing process generally includes:

1. Selecting an appropriate location in the lowest level that could be regularly occupied
2. Positioning the equipment according to applicable testing protocols
3. Maintaining required closed-house conditions
4. Monitoring radon levels throughout the test period
5. Retrieving the equipment
6. Reviewing and providing the test results

Short-term radon testing is commonly used during real estate transactions because it provides results within a limited inspection period. The EPA states that radon tests should be conducted for at least 48 hours, although some devices require a longer testing period.

Where Is the Radon Monitor Placed?

The test device is typically placed in the lowest level of the home that is or could be used regularly. This might include a finished basement, an unfinished basement that could become living space, or the main level of a slab-on-grade home.

The device should be placed:

• In a location where it will not be disturbed
• Away from exterior doors and windows
• Away from drafts, fans, and high-humidity areas
• At the appropriate height above the floor
• Away from direct sunlight and excessive heat
• In a room that could be regularly occupied

Radon monitors are generally not placed in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, closets, hallways, crawlspaces, or other unsuitable locations.

What Are Closed-House Conditions?

Closed-house conditions help produce a more reliable short-term radon measurement. During the required period, exterior doors and windows should remain closed except for normal entry and exit.

Residents may continue normal activities, but they should:

• Keep windows closed
• Limit the time exterior doors remain open
• Operate heating and cooling systems normally
• Avoid using whole-house or window fans that bring outdoor air inside
• Leave the testing equipment in place
• Avoid touching, covering, moving, or unplugging the device

The inspector will provide instructions for maintaining proper conditions before and during the test.

What Is Considered an Elevated Radon Level?

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, written as pCi/L.

The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon when the test result is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. The EPA also notes that radon levels below 4.0 pCi/L still carry some risk and may sometimes be reduced.

A qualified radon professional can help you understand whether additional testing or mitigation should be considered based on the result and circumstances.

Radon Testing for Northeast Denver Homebuyers

A radon test is a valuable addition to a home inspection. The home’s condition, age, location, and foundation style cannot reliably indicate its radon level.

Professional testing can help buyers:

• Determine the home’s measured radon level
• Make a more informed purchasing decision
• Discuss elevated results with their real estate professional
• Determine whether mitigation should be considered
• Confirm the performance of an existing mitigation system
• Establish a baseline for future testing

HomeTeam can coordinate your radon test with your whole-house inspection, making it easier to complete multiple services within your inspection period.

Radon Testing for Home Sellers

Testing before listing a home can help sellers identify an elevated radon level before a buyer’s inspection. If mitigation is needed, addressing the concern in advance may reduce uncertainty and help support a smoother transaction.

If the home has already been tested, retain copies of:

• Previous radon test results
• Mitigation-system installation documents
• Service or maintenance records
• Post-mitigation test results
• Information about renovations completed after testing

A buyer may request a new test if previous results are outdated, the home has been altered, or the original test did not follow recognized testing protocols.

Radon Testing for Homeowners

Radon testing is not only for real estate transactions. Current homeowners should also understand their home’s radon level.

Consider testing when:

• The home has never been tested
• It has been several years since the previous test
• You begin using a lower level as living space
• Renovations or additions have been completed
• Heating, cooling, or ventilation systems have changed
• Foundation work has been performed
• A mitigation system has been installed or modified
• You want to confirm that an existing system is working effectively

Because radon levels can change, periodic retesting can provide important information about current conditions.

Do New Homes Need Radon Testing?

Yes. A newly constructed home can still have elevated radon levels, even if radon-resistant construction features were installed.

Passive radon-resistant features may help reduce radon entry, but testing is still necessary to determine the home’s actual indoor level. If the result is elevated, the passive system may need to be activated or upgraded by a qualified radon-mitigation professional.

A new construction inspection and radon test can help you learn more about the home before closing or during the builder’s warranty period.

What If the Radon Level Is High?

An elevated test result does not mean the home cannot be safely occupied or purchased. Radon problems can typically be reduced through established mitigation methods.

A radon-mitigation system generally works by drawing radon-containing soil gas from beneath the home and venting it safely outdoors before it enters the living space.

If an elevated result is identified, next steps may include:

• Consulting a qualified radon-mitigation professional
• Completing confirmatory testing when appropriate
• Installing a radon-reduction system
• Evaluating an existing mitigation system
• Performing a post-mitigation test
• Retesting periodically to monitor performance

HomeTeam performs radon measurement and reports the results. Mitigation recommendations and installation should be handled by an appropriately qualified professional.

Can a Home With a Radon-Mitigation System Still Be Tested?

Yes. Homes with mitigation systems should be tested to confirm that the system is reducing radon effectively.

The system should generally remain operating during the test unless a qualified professional instructs otherwise. Homeowners should also check the system’s indicator regularly and follow the installer’s maintenance recommendations.

A mitigation system’s presence does not guarantee a specific radon level. Testing is the only way to verify the level inside the home.

Why Choose HomeTeam for Radon Testing?

HomeTeam provides professional radon testing with an emphasis on proper device placement, reliable measurements, clear communication, and convenient scheduling.

Clients choose HomeTeam for:

• Professional radon-testing equipment
• Careful device placement
• Clear testing instructions
• Easy-to-understand results
• Convenient online scheduling
• Coordination with whole-house inspections
• Responsive communication
• A team approach focused on a better inspection experience

Our goal is to provide the information you need to understand the home’s measured radon level and decide what steps, if any, should follow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Radon Testing

Can you smell or see radon?

No. Radon has no color, odor, or taste. Specialized testing equipment is required to measure the amount present in a home.

Are radon problems common in Northeast Denver?

Elevated radon levels have been found throughout Colorado and the Denver metro area. However, regional data cannot predict the result for an individual property. Homes next to each other can have very different levels.

How long does a radon test take?

Short-term professional radon tests are conducted for at least 48 hours. The exact duration may vary based on the equipment, testing protocol, and circumstances.

Should I test a home without a basement?

Yes. Homes with slabs and crawlspaces can also have elevated radon levels. Any home in contact with the ground can potentially experience radon entry.

Does opening windows affect a radon test?

Yes. Opening windows or leaving exterior doors open for extended periods can change indoor air conditions and affect the result. Closed-house conditions should be maintained as instructed.

Is radon testing included in a home inspection?

Radon testing is a specialized ancillary service and is generally not included automatically with a whole-house inspection. Call 720-791-2383 to add it to your appointment.

What does a result of 4.0 pCi/L mean?

The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon when the measured level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. A qualified radon professional can explain the appropriate next steps.

Can radon levels change over time?

Yes. Radon levels can fluctuate daily and seasonally. Renovations, foundation changes, ventilation, weather, and other conditions can also affect indoor measurements.

Should I test after installing a mitigation system?

Yes. Post-mitigation testing confirms whether the system is reducing radon effectively. Periodic follow-up testing is also recommended.

Does a low result guarantee that radon will never become elevated?

No. A radon test reflects conditions during the measurement period. Future levels can change, which is why periodic retesting may be appropriate.

Schedule Radon Testing in Northeast Denver, CO

The only way to know a home’s radon level is to test. Whether you are buying, selling, or maintaining a property, HomeTeam can provide professional radon testing and clear results to help you move forward with greater confidence.

Call 720-791-2383 or schedule your Northeast Denver radon test online today.