# Radon Testing in Des Moines | Radon Mitigation Des Moines

> Continuous radon monitor testing for homeowners, buyers and sellers in Des Moines. Short-term, long-term and post-mitigation tests by Iowa HHS-credentialed testers.

URL: https://radonmitigationdesmoines.com/radon-testing/

![Continuous radon monitor placed in the lowest lived-in level of a Des Moines home](/images/misc/continuous-radon-monitor-sitting-on-a-small-table-.webp)

48-hour CRM, long-term and post-mitigation tests

# Professional Radon Testing for Des Moines Homes and Sales

Last updated: October 27, 2026

CRM, short-term, long-term, real estate and post-mitigation radon testing by credentialed testers. Iowa HHS-credentialed radon testing and mitigation for the Des Moines metro, backed by a 5-year warranty and 24-hour support.

-   verifiedIowa HHS credentialed
-   shield5-year warranty
-   support\_agent24/7 support
-   event\_availableSince 2016

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

Pricing: Testing cost depends on test type and timing. Ask for a quote.

-   verified Iowa HHS Credentialed
-   workspace\_premium NRPP / NRSB Certified Techs
-   shield 5-Year Warranty
-   support\_agent 24/7 Support

Sound familiar?

## Why Des Moines Homeowners Book a Radon Test

Radon has no smell and no color. A valid test is the only way to get a number you can act on.

event

### A closing date is coming fast

Buyers and sellers need a result inside the inspection contingency. We schedule the 48-hour CRM test to fit your window.

help

### You don't trust the DIY kit

A charcoal kit left near a sump or open window can read wrong. Our CRMs log every hour and flag tampering.

home

### Your neighbor tested high

Their number doesn't predict yours. Soil, cracks and how each house is heated all change the result, even on the same block.

fact\_check

### You need proof a system works

After an install, a post-mitigation test confirms the level dropped. Lenders, buyers and your own peace of mind all want that number.

Testing radon services

## What Is Radon Testing?

A radon test is the only way to know your level. Your neighbor's result doesn't predict yours, even on the same street, because soil, foundation cracks and how each house is heated all change how much soil gas gets in. In Iowa, an EPA Zone 1 state where about 71% of homes test above 4.0 pCi/L, testing is worth doing in every home.

We place continuous radon monitors (CRMs) that log readings every hour for at least 48 hours. The hourly data shows how your level rises and falls, and built-in tamper detection flags if a window was opened or the unit was moved. That's why buyers, sellers and lenders accept CRM results during a real estate deal.

For a truer annual picture, we also run long-term tests that last 90 days or more, using alpha track detectors. Short-term activated charcoal canisters are an option when you want a quick screening test. After a mitigation system is installed, a post-mitigation test proves the fix worked.

All testing follows closed-house conditions from EPA protocol 402-R-92-004. Every tester holds an Iowa HHS radon testing credential. You get a plain-language report with your average in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), a chart of the hourly readings and a clear next step.

### Services in this category

-   CRM Testing
-   Short Term & Long Term
-   Real Estate Testing
-   Post-Mitigation Testing

![Radon tester setting up a continuous radon monitor in a basement](/images/features/credentialed-radon-tester-setting-up-a-continuous-.webp)

### What's included

-   check 48-hour continuous radon monitor (CRM) testing
-   check Short-term and long-term tests
-   check Real estate testing timed to inspection contingencies
-   check Post-mitigation verification testing
-   check Hourly data report with tamper detection
-   check Clear next-step recommendation

## Which Radon Test Do You Need?

Not sure which radon testing option fits your situation? You’re in good company, because different homes and deadlines call for different tests. Here’s how the main options compare.

| Test type | How long | Best for | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Continuous radon monitor (CRM) | 48 hours minimum | Real estate deals, quick decisions, post-mitigation checks | Hourly readings, average in pCi/L, tamper detection |
| Activated charcoal canister | 2 to 4 days | Low-cost screening | Single average after lab analysis |
| Alpha track detector (long-term) | 90 days to 1 year | True yearly average, borderline results | Long-term average that smooths seasonal swings |
| Post-mitigation test | 48 hours, starting at least 24 hours after fan startup | Proving a new system works | Before-and-after comparison |

If you’re buying or selling, a CRM test is almost always the right call. If your first short-term test came back between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, a long-term test can tell you whether your yearly average is really above the line.

A few prep steps keep any short-term result honest:

-   **Close up the house.** According to EPA guidance, closed-house conditions should start at least 12 hours before any test shorter than four days.
-   **Keep it closed.** Windows and exterior doors stay shut during the whole test, apart from normal coming and going.
-   **Leave the monitor alone.** Moving it or opening the house can trigger the tamper alert on a CRM and muddy the data.

## How to Read Your Result

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). Here’s what the main numbers mean:

-   **Below 2.0 pCi/L:** Low. Retest every few years and after major changes to the house.
-   **2.0 to 3.9 pCi/L:** The EPA suggests considering a fix. The WHO reference level is 2.7 pCi/L (100 Bq/m³).
-   **4.0 pCi/L and above:** The EPA action level (150 Bq/m³). Mitigation is recommended.

Why does the EPA care about numbers under 4.0? There’s no known safe level of radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General estimate radon causes more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC.

Iowa homes feel that more than most. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports an average indoor level of 8.5 pCi/L in Iowa, compared with 1.3 pCi/L nationally.

Want a quick comparison? Our free 

Radon Test Result Checker

[/tools/radon-test-result-checker/ →](/tools/radon-test-result-checker/)

 converts your number to Bq/m³ and shows how much reduction a system would need. If your level is high, see how we fix it with 

residential radon mitigation

[/residential-radon-mitigation/ →](/residential-radon-mitigation/)

.

![Close-up of continuous radon monitor screen in a Des Moines living room](/images/content/homeowner-looking-at-a-continuous-radon-monitor-sc.webp)

## Real Estate Radon Testing in Des Moines

Most Des Moines homes sell in under a month, and inspection windows are short. A failed radon test doesn’t have to sink a deal, but a late one can. The Iowa Radon Survey found that 71.6% of Iowa homes sit above the EPA action level, so a high number is common and fixable.

Here’s how we keep your timeline moving:

1.  We schedule CRM placement as soon as the inspection is booked.
2.  We retrieve the monitor at 48 hours.
3.  You get the report quickly, so there’s time to act inside the contingency window.
4.  If the number is high, we quote a system right away.
5.  In most cases, we install it before closing.
6.  We run the post-mitigation test that buyers and lenders want to see.

That last step follows the EPA’s timing. The follow-up test happens within 30 days of installation and no sooner than 24 hours after the fan starts.

Iowa Code 558A.4 requires sellers to disclose known radon test results and existing mitigation systems. Iowa HHS also recommends that all new and existing homes get tested before they’re sold.

> **Tip for sellers**
> 
> Testing before you list gives you time to fix a high result on your schedule instead of during a buyer’s contingency. A home with a working system and a low post-mitigation result is an easier sale.

## How Much Does Radon Testing Cost in Des Moines?

Pricing depends on a few simple factors:

-   **Test type.** CRM, charcoal or long-term alpha track.
-   **Timing.** Real estate deadlines and same-week placement.
-   **Number of test locations.** Homes with separate foundations, like a basement plus a slab addition, may need two monitors.
-   **Bundled services.** Post-mitigation tests are part of our install process.

Hardware store kits are cheaper up front. One Iowa mitigation company, Adios Radon, puts a DIY kit at about $20. A professional CRM test costs more, but you get hourly readings, tamper detection and a report your buyer or lender will accept.

Testing is the first step in every 

radon mitigation in Des Moines

[/ →](/)

 project we take on. Call (515) 218-7447 any time, or send the 

request form

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 for a quote.

## Why Iowa Radon Levels Change by Season

In January, Des Moines lows average 17°F. Heated air rises and escapes through the top of the house, which pulls replacement air in at the bottom, including soil gas from under the slab. That’s the stack effect, and it’s why winter readings often run higher.

Here’s how the seasons stack up:

-   **Winter:** Furnaces run, windows stay shut, and the stack effect is at its strongest.
-   **Spring:** Heavy rain saturates the soil and pushes soil gas toward your basement.
-   **Summer:** Not automatically safe. Air conditioning and closed windows can still limit fresh air, according to the team at Clean Vapor.

A single short-term test is a snapshot, and the swing can be big. Protect Environmental reports seeing one building go from 1.8 to 2.2 pCi/L in summer to 28.0 to 32.0 pCi/L in winter. We’ll tell you when a follow-up test makes sense.

For a full retest schedule, read 

how often you should test for radon

[/guide/how-often-to-test-for-radon/ →](/guide/how-often-to-test-for-radon/)

. To learn why Iowa sits in EPA Zone 1, see 

why radon is so high in Iowa

[/guide/why-is-radon-so-high-in-iowa/ →](/guide/why-is-radon-so-high-in-iowa/)

.

Ready to book your radon test? Call (515) 218-7447 and we’ll get a monitor on the calendar.

Why homeowners choose us

## Why Choose Radon Mitigation Des Moines for Radon Testing?

badge

### Credentialed testers

Every tester holds an Iowa HHS radon testing credential and follows EPA closed-house protocol.

description

### Deal-ready reports

Hourly CRM data with tamper detection is the format buyers, sellers and lenders trust.

schedule

### Fits your contingency

We schedule around your inspection window and deliver results fast enough to negotiate.

chat

### Straight answers

We explain what your number means without scare tactics, and tell you when a retest makes more sense than a system.

How it works

## How Does Radon Testing Work?

1.  01 event
    
    ### Book
    
    Call our 24-hour line or send the form. Tell us if there's a real estate deadline so we can schedule inside it.
    
2.  02 door\_front
    
    ### Closed-house prep
    
    Keep windows and outside doors closed for 12 hours before and during the test. Normal coming and going is fine.
    
3.  03 monitor\_heart
    
    ### Monitor placement
    
    A credentialed tester places the CRM in the lowest lived-in level, away from drafts, sumps and outside walls.
    
4.  04 description
    
    ### Report & next step
    
    After 48+ hours we retrieve the monitor and send your report with the average, hourly chart and a recommendation.
    

## Need a radon number you can trust?

Book a 48-hour continuous radon monitor test by an Iowa HHS-credentialed tester. Call our 24-hour line and tell us about any real estate deadline.

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

 

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Our work

## Radon Testing in the Field

Real installs and testing jobs across the Des Moines metro. Click any photo to enlarge.

 

 

Client Verification

## What Customers Say About Our Radon Testing

starstarstarstarstar

> "Clear CRM report with hourly readings, delivered fast enough to keep our purchase inside the inspection window."

Jordan P. · Ankeny

starstarstarstarstar

> "We tested before finishing our basement. The report showed the level spiked at night, which made the decision easy. They explained everything without making us panic."

Natalie S. · Johnston

starstarstarstarstar

> "I'm a seller and wanted to know before listing. They placed the monitor Tuesday and I had the report by Thursday afternoon."

Greg W. · Clive

Read our reviews on Google open\_in\_new

[https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJRTO3QJee7ocRgEpZOJOW_-U →](https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJRTO3QJee7ocRgEpZOJOW_-U)

Straight Answers

## Radon Testing Questions, Answered

### How long does a radon test take?

expand\_more

A continuous radon monitor test runs a minimum of 48 hours. Long-term tests run 90 days or more. Short-term charcoal canisters run two to four days and then go to a lab.

### Can you test fast enough for a home inspection contingency?

expand\_more

Yes. We schedule the CRM test to fit inside your inspection period. You get an hourly report that real estate parties accept, usually within a day of pickup.

### What do closed-house conditions mean?

expand\_more

Keep windows and outside doors closed, except for normal entry and exit, for 12 hours before and during the test. Don't run whole-house fans or window units that pull in outside air.

### Where in the house should the test go?

expand\_more

In the lowest level you use or could use as living space, at least 20 inches off the floor, away from exterior walls, drafts, sump pits and heat sources.

### What result means I need a mitigation system?

expand\_more

The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. The EPA suggests considering a fix between 2.0 and 4.0, and the WHO reference level is 2.7 pCi/L. We'll explain your result and your options.

### Short-term or long-term test: which is better?

expand\_more

Short-term tests are fast and good for decisions on a deadline. Long-term tests average out seasonal swings and give a truer yearly number. Iowa readings are often higher in winter because of the stack effect.

### Do I have to disclose radon results when I sell?

expand\_more

Under Iowa Code 558A.4, sellers must disclose known radon test results and any mitigation system to buyers. A recent, valid test gives everyone clear numbers to work from.

### How much does radon testing cost in Des Moines?

expand\_more

It depends on the test type, how fast you need results and whether it's tied to a real estate deal. Call or send the form and we'll quote it. Post-mitigation tests are part of our install process.

### Should I test if my home already has a radon system?

expand\_more

Yes. Retest every two years and after major renovations, basement finishing or foundation work to make sure the system is still doing its job.

Still have a question?

Our support line answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

 

Send a Question

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Try it yourself

## Free Tools for Radon Testing

Quick, private estimates you can run before you call. No sign-up needed to see your result.

monitoringRadon Test Result CheckerEnter your radon result in pCi/L to see how it compares to the EPA action level and WHO reference level, and how much reduction a system would need. Use the free tool arrow\_forward

[/tools/radon-test-result-checker/ →](/tools/radon-test-result-checker/)

Learn before you decide

## Radon Testing Guides

Radon guideHow Often Should You Test Your Home for Radon in Iowa?A simple radon retest schedule for Iowa homes: every two years with a system, after renovations, basement finishing or foundation work, and with the seasons in mind. Read the guide arrow\_forward

[/guide/how-often-to-test-for-radon/ →](/guide/how-often-to-test-for-radon/)

All radon guides →

[/guide/ →](/guide/)

Keep exploring

## Related Services

homeResidential Radon MitigationRadon systems matched to your foundation: basement sub-slab, crawlspace, exterior, waterborne and vapor intrusion. Learn more arrow\_forward

[/residential-radon-mitigation/ →](/residential-radon-mitigation/)

buildRadon System MaintenanceError codes, fans, pipes and joints, and inspections for existing radon systems, including ones we didn't install. Learn more arrow\_forward

[/radon-system-maintenance/ →](/radon-system-maintenance/)

domainCommercial Radon SystemsTesting and mitigation for schools, HUD multifamily, offices, warehouses and vapor intrusion sites. Learn more arrow\_forward

[/commercial-radon-systems/ →](/commercial-radon-systems/)

![](/images/hero/radon-technician-loading-white-pvc-pipe-and-radon-.webp)

24/7 booking & support

## Ready to Book Radon Testing?

Credentialed radon testing across Des Moines and 25 nearby cities, with a written quote, a post-mitigation test where it applies, and a 5-year warranty on systems and installs.

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

phone\_in\_talk Call (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

-   verifiedIowa HHS credentialed
-   shield5-year warranty
-   fact\_checkPost-mitigation test