Frequently Asked Questions

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that results from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.

When inhaled, radioactive particles from radon gas can damage the cells lining the lungs. Long-term exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause overall.

Iowa possesses unique, highly porous glacial soils that are rich in uranium. This allows radon gas to travel easily and accumulate heavily inside structures. As a result, 7 out of 10 Iowa homes test above the EPA action level.

No. Radon levels vary drastically from footprint to footprint. Your neighbor might test at a safe level while your home tests dangerously high. The only way to know is to test.

No. While concentrations are typically highest in basements (closest to the soil), the "stack effect" of a home pulls the gas upward into upper living areas. Any level of the home can be affected.

Yes. In fact, modern, energy-efficient homes are sealed tightly, which can trap radon gas inside more effectively than in older, draftier homes.

We place a calibrated Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) in the lowest livable area of your home. It remains there taking hourly samples for 48-72 hours. We then retrieve it and generate an immediate digital report.

For an accurate test, all exterior windows and doors must be kept closed (except for normal entry/exit) for 12 hours before the test begins and for the entire testing period.

Hardware store charcoal kits are passive and must be mailed to a lab, risking delays and weather-related data loss. Our CRM devices are active, provide hourly breakdown data, detect tampering, and provide instant results upon pickup.

A standard real estate or homeowner radon test takes 48 to 72 hours to complete.

Results are measured in pCi/L. The EPA recommends mitigating at 4.0 pCi/L or higher. The World Health Organization recommends action above 2.7 pCi/L. There is no completely "safe" level of radon.

Our standard 48-72 hour CRM test is $195, which includes deployment, retrieval, and immediate digital reporting. Real estate priority testing with same-day results and 7-day availability is also $195.

You should retest your home every two years, or immediately after any major structural renovations, HVAC changes, or finishing a basement.

We use Active Soil Depressurization (ASD). A PVC pipe is routed from the gravel beneath your foundation to the exterior, and a continuous fan creates a vacuum, exhausting the radon gas safely above your roofline.

Most standard residential mitigation systems are installed cleanly and completely in a single day.

Every home is different, so we provide a free site assessment and a written quote the same day you request it. Factors that influence cost include the home's footprint, routing complexity, and foundation type.

We design our systems to be as unobtrusive as possible. Whenever feasible, we route piping through the garage or interior closets to keep the exterior of your home looking clean.

Our premium Festa AMG fans are extremely quiet. They produce a low, steady hum, similar to a refrigerator running in the background.

We exclusively use Festa AMG fans, which come with a full 7-year manufacturer warranty. The PVC and foundational sealing are built to last the lifetime of the home.

We guarantee that every mitigation system we install will reduce your home's radon levels below 2.7 pCi/L (the strict WHO standard).

If a post-mitigation clearance test shows levels above 2.7 pCi/L, we return, evaluate the system, and perform the necessary upgrades or redesigns at absolutely no charge to you.

Yes. Under Iowa Code Chapter 558A, sellers are legally required to disclose known radon test results to buyers before completing a real estate transaction.

Yes. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandates that all licensed child care centers must complete certified radon testing every 2 or 5 years.

House File 2297 is an Iowa mandate requiring all newly constructed single-family homes to include a passive radon control system (stub) installed during the build phase.

Yes. Anyone performing radon testing or mitigation for compensation in Iowa must be credentialed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Likely not completely. Passive systems rely on natural airflow and typically reduce radon by only 30% to 50%. In high-radon Iowa, this is rarely enough to drop levels below safe thresholds.

Activation involves cutting into the passive PVC pipe (usually in the attic) and installing a specialized Festa AMG fan to turn the passive system into a highly effective Active system.

You should perform a professional CRM test within the first 90 days of moving in, ensuring the HVAC system is fully operational and construction is complete.

We serve the greater Des Moines metro and surrounding central Iowa communities, including Ankeny, Waukee, West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Grimes, and Altoona.

You can schedule a test or request a mitigation quote by calling us directly or using the contact form on our website. We offer priority scheduling for real estate deadlines.

Yes. We are fully insured and carry official Iowa HHS credentials for both radon measurement (testing) and radon mitigation.

Always ask for their Iowa HHS credential number and verify it on the state registry. Legitimate contractors will proudly display their credentials and insurance information.

We are an Iowa-owned family business focused on quality over volume. We use premium Festa AMG fans, offer completely transparent pricing, and back our work with an industry-leading 2.7 pCi/L guarantee.