Radon testing and removal for Cedar Rapids-area homes

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and where things stand: no test yet, a high result, a home sale, or a system that needs attention.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent radon company that serves Linn and Johnson counties.

3. They call you back

   They look at your home and quote testing or a mitigation system directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners, buyers, sellers and landlords in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and the surrounding towns of Linn and Johnson counties. Iowa has some of the highest indoor radon levels in the country, and most Corridor homes have basements, which is where radon enters most easily.

What is radon, and why does it matter in Iowa?

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally as uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It has no color, smell or taste. It moves up through the soil and enters homes through cracks, joints, sump pits and other openings in the foundation, then builds up indoors.

• Iowa's levels are high. The Iowa Cancer Consortium puts the average Iowa home at about 8.5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), compared with about 1.3 nationally, and more than 70 percent of Iowa homes test at or above the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.
• The whole state is high risk. Iowa HHS notes that the EPA considers the entire state of Iowa at high risk for radon in homes.
• It's a lung cancer risk. The EPA ranks radon as the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked and the second leading cause overall. Iowa HHS estimates radon causes about 400 lung cancer deaths a year in Iowa.

How do I know if my home has radon?

Test. Neighbors' results don't tell you much, because radon levels vary from house to house, even on the same street. A short-term test takes a few days; a long-term test runs 90 days or more and shows your average better. You can use a do-it-yourself kit or hire a radon measurement professional.

What if my test is high?

Iowa HHS considers results at or above 4 pCi/L elevated and recommends mitigation, but says the decision shouldn't rest on a single test. A follow-up test confirms the level. The EPA also suggests considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L, since there's no known safe level. The most common fix is a sub-slab depressurization system: a pipe and fan that pull radon from under the floor and vent it above the roof. See radon mitigation systems.

What does a radon system look like, and how long does it take?

A typical system is a white or gray PVC pipe running from the basement floor up through the house or along an outside wall, a small fan in the attic, garage or outside, and a vent above the roof. A U-shaped gauge on the pipe shows it's working. Many installs in homes with a full basement take about a day. Homes with crawl spaces, additions or finished basements can take longer, and the installer may route the pipe through a closet or garage to keep it out of sight.

Does winter matter?

Radon levels are often higher in winter, when windows stay shut and warm air rising inside the house draws soil gas in through the foundation. That makes winter a good time to test. Installers work year-round, though outdoor fans and pipes need to be set up for Iowa's cold.

Do radon companies need a license in Iowa?

Yes. Under Iowa's radon rules, no one may mitigate radon for pay in Iowa unless they hold a credential from Iowa HHS. Ask for the company's credential before you sign. See the Iowa radon guide for more on Iowa's rules and resources.

What does radon mitigation cost?

It depends on your foundation (basement, slab, crawl space or a mix), how easily air moves under the slab, where the pipe can run, and how many suction points the house needs. The company you're connected with looks at the home and gives you a written quote. We don't set or quote prices.

Is this a radon company?

No. Cedar Rapids Radon Removal is a referral service. We connect you with an independent radon company that serves your address, and that company tests, quotes, installs and warranties the work. Before you sign, read our tips for hiring a radon contractor.

Areas we cover

• Cedar Rapids
• Marion and Hiawatha
• Iowa City
• Coralville and North Liberty

Planning ahead? Read our Iowa radon guide.