Get matched with top radon detection and reduction specialists in Alma, NE

Since radon typically comes out of the soil, it is most commonly found in the lower levels of a home. In houses with basements, that's a common location for radon. Homes built directly on the ground may have radon on the ground floors. Radon can be found on the upper floors of the home, but often in lower concentrations than in lower levels.

A DIY kit can lessen the sting that comes with paying for a professional assessment, but these comprehensive tests are true lifesavers. Inspectors are more likely to catch all of the pollutants and hazards in your air. Plus, you’ll still need a professional to verify and act on your DIY test results. 

Some kits don’t include tests for certain air pollutants or only detect their presence, but not their levels (i.e., mold spores). If you’re willing to shell out money for a DIY kit, it’s usually better to stretch your budget slightly higher for a more detailed assessment.

Radon enters your home when warm air begins to rise and exits through the roof, creating a vacuum that pulls cooler air from under the foundation. Part of that air is radon, which is an invisible, odorless gas that develops naturally when radioactive particles are deep within the ground. Those particles usually come from decaying matter in soil and rocks.

You should have a professional test for radon every two to five years. A good rule of thumb is to get testing done every five years if you’ve never had an issue before and every two years if you have. You may also want to schedule testing if you notice symptoms of radon exposure or if you do intermittent DIY radon testing and notice changes in your levels between tests. If you have an active radon monitor, you can schedule testing if you notice levels increasing over time.