Radon Testing in Columbia, SC

Radon cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. The only way to know the concentration in a home is to test.

HomeTeam Inspection Service of Columbia provides professional radon testing for buyers, sellers, homeowners, and property investors. Testing measures radon levels over a defined period and provides data that can help you determine whether additional action should be considered.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can enter a building through cracks and openings in the foundation, gaps around service penetrations, crawlspaces, sump areas, and other pathways.

Any home may have elevated radon, regardless of its age, foundation type, condition, or appearance. A neighboring property’s result cannot predict the level in another home because construction and soil pathways differ.

How Professional Radon Testing Works

The inspector places approved testing equipment in an appropriate location within the home and allows it to collect data for the required testing period. The device is then retrieved or the test is concluded according to the equipment and protocol used, and the results are reported to the client.

Short-term testing is commonly used during real estate transactions because it can provide timely information within contractual deadlines. Longer-term testing can help evaluate average exposure across seasonal and occupancy changes.

Preparing the Home for a Radon Test

Accurate short-term testing depends on proper conditions before and during the test. Instructions may include:

• Keep exterior doors and windows closed except for normal entry and exit
• Operate heating and cooling systems normally
• Do not operate whole-house fans or other equipment that brings in large amounts of outside air unless required for normal operation
• Do not move, cover, unplug, or disturb the testing device
• Maintain the required conditions for the full testing period

HomeTeam will provide the applicable instructions. Severe weather, power loss, open windows, device movement, or other interference may affect test validity and could require retesting.

Understanding the Results

Radon concentration is typically reported in picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. The report provides the measured result and may reference commonly used guidance for considering follow-up testing or mitigation.

A radon test is not a permanent guarantee of future levels. Concentrations can change with weather, season, ventilation, building alterations, and occupancy patterns. If a result is elevated or close to an action threshold, a qualified radon professional can explain confirmation testing or mitigation options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do new homes need radon testing?

Yes, testing can be appropriate for homes of any age. New construction methods and foundation features do not guarantee a low radon level.

Can a home with elevated radon be fixed?

Radon mitigation systems can often reduce indoor concentrations. A qualified mitigation professional can design a system appropriate for the home and verify its performance with follow-up testing.

How often should a home be tested?

Retesting may be appropriate periodically, after major renovations or foundation changes, after installing a mitigation system, or when living patterns change to occupy a lower level. Follow the advice of relevant public-health authorities and radon professionals.

Is radon testing part of a standard home inspection?

No. Radon testing is a separate service and must be requested. It can often be coordinated with a home inspection for convenience.

Schedule Radon Testing in Columbia, SC

Testing is the only way to know the radon level in a home. Call HomeTeam Inspection Service of Columbia at (803) 219-9727 or schedule a professional radon test online.