Radon testing when buying a house should be tied to the exact property, the lowest level that could be occupied, a documented test method, and the contract timeline. Nevada recommends testing all homes because radon cannot be seen, smelled, or predicted from a neighbor’s result. An older report may help, but it does not automatically answer whether the tested location, timing, building conditions, and current use match your purchase decision.
Review any earlier result before relying on it
Ask for the full report, test date, device, tester, placement, duration, closed-building conditions, evidence of interference controls, and changes made since testing. UNR notes that a buyer may accept a seller result less than two years old or request a new certified test; renovation, HVAC changes, earthquakes, or a different planned living level can support retesting.
Define the new test in writing
State where the device will be placed, who will test, which device and protocol will be used, when testing begins and ends, who receives the report, how costs are handled, and what interference controls apply. EPA’s real-estate guide describes accepted short-term approaches and a minimum 48-hour test period for the relevant options.
Keep the number and the decision separate
EPA recommends fixing a home when the radon result is 4 pCi/L or more and says results between 2 and 4 pCi/L still warrant consideration. The test professional explains measurement limits; the buyer, seller, contractors, lender, insurer, and advisers control their own contract and risk decisions.
Verify the professional and the repair scope
Nevada’s program maintains current certified measurement and mitigation lists based on national proficiency programs. Verify the individual’s current credential, company, device calibration or laboratory path, requested scope, report delivery, conflicts, and availability. For mitigation, verify the contractor and required trade or contractor licensing separately.
Write the contract response before time runs out
Decide who may order follow-up testing, obtain mitigation proposals, request repairs or credits, extend or preserve a deadline, and document completion. A verbal promise or equipment photo is not a final test result, repair specification, contract amendment, or post-work verification.
Close with a usable record
Retain the reports, device and location details, certifications, proposal, permits where applicable, contractor information, invoices, warranties, system labels, operating instructions, alarms, and post-mitigation test. Put future retesting and fan or monitor checks on the owner calendar.
FAQ
Can you predict radon from a neighborhood map?
No. Maps and area results can show potential, but EPA says neighboring homes can have different indoor levels. The only way to know the level in the house is to test that house.
Is a seller’s old radon test enough?
It may be useful if the full report is recent, the protocol was followed, the tested level matches the buyer’s planned use, and no relevant building changes occurred. A buyer can still request a new qualified test.
What happens if the result is 4 pCi/L or higher?
EPA recommends fixing the home. The parties should use qualified testing, mitigation, contract, lending, insurance, and legal professionals to define the response, documents, deadline, and verification for the exact transaction.
Primary sources and limits
- Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Radon Program
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Radon Guidance for Home Buyers
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Certified Radon Testers
- U.S. EPA, Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon
General education only. A radon map, neighboring result, seller statement, listing description, test summary, device reading, report, proposal, permit, invoice, mitigation system, or article does not establish the current radon level, health outcome, contract right, legal duty, code compliance, future performance, insurance coverage, financing result, tax treatment, or investment suitability for a specific property. Verify the exact property and occupied areas, test date, location, device, protocol, closed-building conditions, interference controls, tester and mitigator credentials, contractor licensing, report, mitigation design, permits where applicable, post-work test, warranties, contract dates, disclosure and communication duties, financing, insurance, and professional roles with the Nevada Radon Education Program, qualified radon measurement and mitigation professionals, licensed contractors, the responsible building department, insurer, lender, attorney, CPA, qualified intermediary, title or escrow company, health professionals, and other qualified advisers as appropriate. No individualized medical, legal, tax, lending, insurance, securities, compliance, contract, property-management, or investment advice is provided.
Related: protecting the transaction verification process, defining specialist inspection scope, contact You Decide Realty.