Best Time of Year to Test for Radon in Your Home

Radon is a serious health risk that affects millions of homes across the United States. It is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in the soil and can enter homes through cracks in foundations, crawlspaces, and basement floors. Because radon has no odor, color, or taste, most homeowners have no idea it is present unless they test for it.

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is when the best time of year is to test for radon. The answer may surprise you.

The Problem With Waiting to Test for Radon

Many homeowners delay radon testing because they are unsure when the right time is. Some believe warmer weather is better for testing. Others assume winter conditions may affect the accuracy. This uncertainty leads to delayed testing and extended exposure to a gas that can cause serious long term health problems.

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. The risk increases the longer someone is exposed to elevated radon levels. Children and people who spend more time indoors are especially vulnerable.

The biggest danger with radon is that it provides no warning signs. You can live in a home for years without realizing you are being exposed.

The Best Time of Year to Test for Radon

Radon can be tested any time of year, but fall and winter are widely recognized as the best seasons for the most accurate results.

During colder months, homes remain closed up with windows and doors shut. Heating systems run more often and create pressure differences that pull radon gas from the soil into the home. These conditions produce what are considered worst case radon levels, giving the most realistic picture of long term exposure.

Because of this, radon tests performed between October and March typically provide the most reliable data for homeowners and buyers.

When You Should Test Regardless of the Season

Even though fall and winter are ideal, there are times when you should never delay radon testing based on the calendar. These include:

If you are buying or selling a home

If you are finishing a basement or lower level

If you have never tested the home before

If a previous test was done many years ago

If a radon mitigation system needs to be verified

In these situations, testing right away is far more important than waiting for a specific season.

The Value of Professional Radon Testing

Professional radon testing follows strict industry protocols established by the Environmental Protection Agency and national radon organizations. These standards require closed house conditions and proper device placement to ensure results are accurate and defensible.

Professional testing provides:

Reliable measurement of real exposure levels

Clear results you can trust

Better protection for long term health

Confidence when making real estate decisions

If elevated radon levels are found, a qualified radon mitigation professional can install a system that significantly reduces radon and improves overall indoor air quality.

Final Thoughts

The best time of year to test for radon is fall and winter when homes are closed up and radon levels are typically at their highest. However, the most important thing is not to wait. Radon can be present in any home at any time of year, and the only way to know your risk is to test.

Radon is a silent threat, but it is also one of the easiest indoor air quality dangers to detect and correct with proper testing.

If you have never tested your home for radon or if it has been several years since your last test, now is the right time to take that step.

Schedule Your Radon Test With Wilmen Home

Wilmen Home provides professional radon testing for homeowners and buyers throughout the Chicagoland area. Testing is performed using industry approved equipment and follows EPA guidelines for accurate, reliable results.

If you are buying a home, finishing a basement, or simply want peace of mind about the air your family breathes, radon testing is a smart step.

To schedule your radon test with Wilmen Home, visit www.wilmenhome.com or contact us directly to book your appointment.

Knowing your radon level today helps protect your health tomorrow.