Don’t Forget Post‑Renovation Radon Retesting

Finished a basement, sealed up drafty windows, or swapped out your HVAC? Those updates can change how air moves through your home, which can also change indoor radon levels. You want your Whiting home to be safer and ready for resale, and part of that is confirming your numbers after work wraps up. In this guide, you’ll learn why renovations can raise radon, when to retest, what your results mean, and how to handle radon in a Lake County sale. Let’s dive in.

Why renovations change radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can build up indoors. Renovations can shift how much radon enters and how quickly it is diluted.

• New openings to soil, like sump pits or foundation work, can create fresh entry points for soil gas. Guidance for post‑project testing appears in the EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon. See the EPA guide.
• Changes to exhaust or ventilation systems, tighter windows, or HVAC upgrades can alter building pressure and airflow, which affects radon entry and accumulation. EPA indoor air upgrade guidance explains this.
• Converting a basement or crawlspace into living space increases exposure, so the newly occupied level needs its own test.

When to retest in Whiting

Before you start work

If you have time, run a baseline test on the lowest lived‑in level. Baseline data helps you plan and decide if radon‑resistant features should be included during the project.

Right after completion

Once the house is back to normal operation, test again. For most projects, a short‑term test is a fast check. If the result is elevated, follow up with a long‑term test or move to mitigation and verification. The EPA buyer/seller guide outlines this process.

After mitigation is installed

Always verify a new mitigation system with a post‑installation test. Keep the report with your home records for future buyers.

Ongoing retesting

If your home had a radon issue or has a mitigation system, retest at least every two years. Periodic retesting is also smart after any major mechanical or envelope changes. EPA materials advise routine retesting.

What your numbers mean

• EPA action level: 4.0 pCi/L. The EPA recommends fixing homes at or above this level and considering action between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Review the EPA guidance.
• WHO recommends a reference level of about 2.7 pCi/L when reasonably achievable. This is a public‑health target, not a U.S. legal standard. Learn more from WHO.

Remember, elevated radon can be found in every county and zone. County maps are a general guide, not a predictor for any single house. See the EPA Map of Radon Zones.

How to test after a project

Pick the right test

• Short‑term tests run 48 hours to 7 days and are common after renovations or during real estate timelines.
• Long‑term tests run 90 days or more and give a more reliable year‑round average. If time allows, use one after a project for the best picture.
• Follow placement and closed‑house instructions. Continuous radon monitors can help diagnose patterns. The EPA buyer/seller guide covers testing basics.

Where to test

Test the lowest level you live in. If you finished a basement, test that space. If you changed ventilation or HVAC, test while the system runs on its normal schedule.

Typical costs

DIY kits are usually modest, and professional testing varies by home and scope. Mitigation systems range by design and house type. For general expectations on kit prices and mitigation costs, review the EPA’s consumer overview of radon programs and pricing. See the EPA cost overview.

Buying or selling in Whiting after renovations

Indiana sellers of most 1–4 unit homes must complete the state’s Sales Disclosure Form. If you have radon test results before or after a renovation, disclose what you know and keep your documents organized. Review Indiana’s disclosure form basics.

Buyers should ask for recent radon results and, if none exist after a renovation, negotiate a retest contingency. Testing after final cosmetic and mechanical work (and after a mitigation system is running, if installed) is standard practice.

Indiana requires radon measurement and mitigation professionals to be certified or registered and to follow recognized standards. Ask for credentials and written post‑mitigation test results. Check Indiana professional requirements.

Need local help? The Indiana Radon Program hotline is 1‑800‑272‑9723 for resources and certified professional lists.

Keep records buyers appreciate

• Pre‑ and post‑renovation test reports or lab certificates
• Mitigation contractor details, license or certification, and system specs
• Post‑mitigation verification test results and warranty info
• Any permits or inspection records tied to foundation or HVAC work

Quick checklist for homeowners

• Before work: run a baseline test if time allows.
• During planning: if results are 4.0 pCi/L or higher (or 2–4 pCi/L and you want to be conservative), budget radon‑resistant features.
• After work: retest the affected level under normal living conditions.
• If elevated: consult a certified mitigator and verify performance with a follow‑up test.
• Keep all records for your files and future disclosure.

If you are planning a renovation or preparing to list in Whiting, a simple post‑project radon test is one of the smartest steps you can take. It protects your health, builds buyer confidence, and can keep your sale on track.

Have questions or want a smooth plan for testing, timing, and documentation? Reach out to Carol Allegretti for local guidance and trusted vendor connections tailored to your Whiting home.

FAQs

What is radon and why retest after Whiting renovations?

• Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can change after you alter airflow, ventilation, or create new soil openings during a project, so a fresh test confirms your new baseline. EPA guidance for buyers and sellers explains post‑project testing.

When should I test if I just finished my basement?

• Test the newly finished lower level once work is complete and systems are running normally. If the short‑term test is high, confirm with a long‑term test or proceed to mitigation and verification.

What result means I should fix my Whiting home?

• The EPA recommends fixing homes at or above 4.0 pCi/L and considering action between 2 and 4 pCi/L. See the EPA action level.

Do Indiana sellers have to disclose radon results?

• Yes. Most sellers must complete the state Sales Disclosure Form and disclose known radon test results or hazards. Learn about Indiana’s disclosure form.

Who can test or mitigate radon in Indiana?

• Measurement and mitigation professionals must be certified or registered under state rules and follow standards. Ask for credentials and written post‑mitigation test results. Check requirements.

Does the EPA radon zone map tell me if my Whiting home is safe?

• No. The map shows county‑level potential, but high and low homes exist in every zone. Testing your specific home is the only way to know. View the EPA map.