Is radon a problem in Spokane?
Yes. The Inland Northwest’s geology produces radon, and Spokane County is among the higher-radon areas of Washington State. Elevated readings are common enough that testing any home here is worth it.
How much does a radon test cost?
A radon test and inspection with a complete report starts from $255 at Gold Seal. If the result is high, a mitigation system is priced after a free estimate.
At what level should I fix it?
The EPA recommends mitigation at 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, and says to consider it between 2 and 4. There is no known safe level.
How does a radon mitigation system work?
A suction point through the floor slab, sealed piping and an inline fan that runs all the time, venting soil gas above the roof. It keeps the space under the slab at slightly lower pressure than the house, so radon is drawn outside instead of in. Sealing cracks helps, but sealing alone is not mitigation.
How long does a radon fan last?
Typically five to ten years of nonstop running. Check the manometer on the pipe now and then: if the liquid levels are even, the fan has stopped. Replacing a fan starts from $676.