Radon Testing in Middle and East Tennessee

 

You can't see, smell or taste radon. It's a natural radioactive gas that rises out of the ground and collects inside homes and buildings. The EPA calls it the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers and links it to about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. A test is the only way to know your level.

Radon testing is $175 when added to your property inspection. Call or text (615) 916-7264, or tap Book Your Inspection at the bottom of this page.

 

Middle Tennessee is radon country

The EPA ranks every county by its potential for elevated indoor radon. Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Maury, Trousdale and Smith counties are Zone 1, the highest potential. Sumner, Robertson, Montgomery, Cheatham, Dickson and Macon counties are Zone 2, moderate potential. Moderate is not the same as safe. Radon levels vary house to house, even next door, which is why the EPA recommends testing every home, no matter the zone.

 

How we test

We use the Airthings Corentium Pro, a continuous radon monitor certified through AARST NRPP for real estate testing. We own five of them, and they are calibrated on schedule.

• Placed in the lowest livable level of the home

• Runs at least 48 hours under closed house conditions

• Records radon every hour, along with temperature, humidity and air pressure

• A built in motion sensor shows us if the monitor was moved during the test

• We often drop it off before inspection day so results are ready with your report

 

What the numbers mean

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and suggests considering a fix between 2 and 4. Nearly 1 in 15 homes nationwide is at or above the 4 pCi/L action level.

 

If your result comes back high

Don't panic. Radon mitigation is common and usually straightforward. A licensed mitigation contractor typically installs a vent pipe and fan that pulls radon from under the home and sends it outside. Buyers often negotiate the cost with the seller before closing.

 

New homes need testing too

New construction is not immune. A tight, energy efficient house can actually hold radon in. If you are buying new or coming up on your 11 month builder warranty inspection, add a radon test.

 

We are not code inspectors

Our job is to give you a clear picture of the property so you can decide with confidence. We keep a very detailed understanding of building code, and we constantly review changes and work alongside local building inspectors and trade inspectors to stay on top of them.

 

Areas we serve

Nashville and Davidson County, Gallatin, Hendersonville and Sumner County, Spring Hill, Franklin, Thompson's Station and Williamson County, Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Rutherford County, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon and Wilson County, Clarksville, Columbia, Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville and Knox County, Chattanooga, Ooltewah and Hamilton County.

 

Frequently asked questions

How long does a radon test take?

At least 48 hours. The monitor records every hour, so you get a full picture, not a single snapshot.

 

What do I need to do during the test?

Keep windows and outside doors closed, except for normal coming and going, starting 12 hours before the test and for the whole test. Run heating or air conditioning as usual, and leave the monitor where we put it.

 

My neighbor tested low. Do I still need a test?

Yes. Radon levels vary from house to house, even on the same street. The only way to know your home is to test it.

 

How much does radon testing cost?

$175 when added to your property inspection.

 

Want more detail? Read our guide: Radon in Middle Tennessee: What Every Buyer Should Know Before Closing

 

We are grateful for you.

 

Sources: U.S. EPA, A Citizen's Guide to Radon; U.S. EPA, Health Risk of Radon; U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones; Airthings, Corentium Pro Operating Instructions.