Radon Testing In Kenosha and Walworth counties

How much radon is in Kenosha area homes?

In general, homes and businesses in Kenosha and Walworth counties tend to have moderately high radon levels. Specifically, 42 to 58% of these homes (and businesses) have radon levels of 4 pCi/L or greater).

The only areas of Kenosha County where residents have little to worry about radon levels are the coastal 53140 and 53143 zip codes and the 53170 zip code toward the western end of the county. Testing done in these zip codes shows that 0 to 23% of homes have radon levels of 4 pCi/L or greater.  However, just because these areas have statistically low radon levels does not mean all houses in these zip codes have low radon levels.

Because radon levels can be drastically different between two houses sitting next to each other, it’s a good idea to have your home tested—particularly if it’s a home you’re considering buying.

Importance of Radon Testing in Kenosha Real Estate Transactions

If you’re looking to buy a home in Kenosha or Walworth county, you should seriously consider radon testing as a contingency in your written offer. Purchasing a home is a big investment, and you need to know what you’re getting into before you commit any money. Most importantly, though, you want to make sure the home won’t be hazardous to your health—especially if you have a family.

An unoccupied home that is up for sale is the perfect subject for radon testing, since we can be relatively confident the windows and doors won’t be opened and closed during the 48 hours required for testing. Opening and closing windows and doors allows radon gas to escape, which leads to inaccurate test results. With the house sealed up, we can get a much more accurate picture of radon levels.

Lifetime Radon Solutions follows the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency for radon testing of real estate, as outlined in their Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon:

• Use two passive radon detectors simultaneously, four inches apart, or two sequentially, or one electronic radon monitor recording fresh data every hour.
• Minimum measurement duration should be 48 hours.
• Maintain closed-house conditions on all floors during the test, and for 12 hours prior if the test lasts less than four days.
• Do not conduct tests lasting less than four days during severe storms or periods of high winds.

Most Accurate Assessment of Radon Made Over Long Term

Although Lifetime Radon Solutions uses sophisticated, continuous radon measuring devices from Sun Nuclear and performs tests in accordance with EPA guidelines, it’s important to realize that what we are looking at with any radon test is a snapshot of radon levels over a relatively small time frame. Radon levels fluctuate from day to day and month to month. Seasonal changes and meteorologic events also impact radon levels. To get the most accurate picture possible, testing should be done over the course of a year.

When To Consider Radon Mitigation In Kenosha County

If your home tests high for radon levels, you clearly should consider radon mitigation. Many times, however, we have clients whose homes test below the 4 pCi/L level tell us they don’t see a need for radon mitigation. Unfortunately, a home that reads at 3 pCi/L today might easily register 6 pCi/L next month. Although the federal government set 4 pCi/L as the level at which homeowners should seriously consider mitigation, we think the World Health Organization’s recommendation to take action if radon levels are 2.7 pCi/L or higher makes much more sense.

Although there is no “safe” level of radon, the lower the better. Radon mitigation from Lifetime Radon Solutions effectively lowers radon levels to well below "acceptable" levels in homes throughout Kenosha and Walworth counties. Contact us today for a free estimate on our testing and mitigation services.