A radon test is the only way to know the level in your house, because the gas has no smell and no color. We connect York homeowners with a local contractor who can walk through the result with you and, if it is high, design a residential mitigation system and put the plan in writing.
When York Homes Should Be Tested
Most York County homeowners test when they buy or sell a house, when a neighbor mentions a high result, or when they simply want a baseline number for a home they already live in. A test is also wise after a mitigation system is installed, after a fan is replaced, and after a major basement remodel that could change how air moves under the house.
Because radon levels vary from one house to the next, even on the same block, a low result next door does not speak for your basement. Rowhomes near downtown, split levels, and newer houses with a passive pipe in the attic should all be tested. The number belongs to that one foundation, that one slab, and the way that house is lived in.
If you already have a lab report or a kit result, bring it when you call. The figure, the dates, and where the kit sat all help the contractor explain what the number means and whether a system is the next step.
How a Radon Test Is Done
Short-term kits usually run for two to seven days. Long-term tests run for 90 days or more and average out day-to-day swings. In both cases, place the device in the lowest lived in level, away from drafts, sump pits, and exterior walls, and keep windows and doors closed as the kit directions require.
Hardware stores and home inspectors commonly use charcoal or electret short-term kits. Follow the instructions that come with the kit, including the closed-house period before and during the test, then send it to the lab or read the display if you used a continuous monitor. Do not run fans that pull lots of outdoor air through the house while the test is underway.
This website is not a laboratory and does not sell test kits. We connect you with an independent local radon mitigation contractor who can discuss the result, answer questions about placement, and visit the home if you want a written plan for a system.
What to Do With the Result
The EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and suggests considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L. There is no level treated as completely safe, so a lower number is better. A result clearly above the action level is usually enough to move to a written quote. A result close to the line may be worth a second test, especially if the first test was very short or was placed in an unused basement.
If the number is high, a local contractor visits the house, looks at the basement, crawl space, sump, and possible pipe routes, and writes a free estimate for a residential system. The estimate is yours to review. There is no obligation to move forward on the same visit.
After a system is installed, a short-term retest in the lowest lived in level confirms the new number. Plan to test again every couple of years and after any large renovation, and glance at the gauge on the pipe now and then so a quiet fan does not go unnoticed.
Get a Clear Number, Then Decide
Testing answers a simple question: what is the radon level in this house right now. Once you have that number, the next step is either peace of mind or a written plan to lower it. Call us and we will connect you with a local contractor who can review your York, PA result, explain the options, and visit if you want a free estimate. The decision stays with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I test my York, PA home for radon?
Test when you buy or sell a home, when you want a baseline number, after a mitigation system is installed or repaired, and every couple of years after that. Homes across York County, including Hanover, Dover, Red Lion, and Dallastown, should be tested because levels change from house to house.
What radon level means I should take action?
The EPA recommends mitigation at 4 pCi/L or higher and suggests considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Bring your result when you request a written quote and the local contractor can explain what the number means for your foundation and help you decide on next steps.
Who performs the radon test when I call this site?
This website connects you with an independent local radon mitigation contractor. Many homeowners start with a short-term kit from a store or an inspector. The contractor can review that result with you, talk through placement if you still need to test, and provide a written estimate for a system if the level is high.