What is radon and why is it dangerous?

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. While harmless in outdoor air, radon becomes dangerous when it seeps into enclosed spaces like basements and crawl spaces and accumulates to elevated levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the number one cause among non-smokers. Professional testing is the only way to detect it.

How does professional radon testing work?

Blackburn Foundation Repair places a professional radon testing device in the lowest livable area of your home. After 48 hours, a trained technician retrieves the device and provides your results immediately, unlike DIY kits that require mailing samples and waiting up to two weeks. Professional testing ensures accurate placement and calibration for reliable results that you can trust.

What is a radon mitigation system and how does it work?

A radon mitigation system uses a fan and PVC pipes to draw radon gas from beneath your home and vent it safely above the roofline, where it disperses harmlessly into the outdoor air. The most common method is sub-slab depressurization, which creates negative pressure under the foundation to prevent radon from entering. Blackburn's trained professionals typically complete installation in a single day.

Does Blackburn offer free radon test kits?

Yes. Blackburn Foundation Repair offers free radon home test kits to homeowners in South Dakota and Wyoming. You can request your free kit online or by calling 1-800-392-3389. For the most accurate results, Blackburn also offers professional radon testing with 48-hour turnaround and immediate results from a certified technician.

How often should I test my home for radon?

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing your home for radon every two years, even if you have a mitigation system installed. You should also retest after any major renovation, if you have made structural changes to the foundation, or if your family begins using a lower level of the home. Regular testing ensures your radon levels remain safe.

Why is radon a particular concern in South Dakota and Wyoming?

South Dakota and Wyoming have some of the highest radon levels in the nation due to the region's geological composition, including uranium-bearing granite, shale, and other minerals. The EPA classifies much of both states as Zone 1 (highest radon potential), meaning the average indoor radon level is expected to exceed the action level of 4 pCi/L. Professional testing is strongly recommended for every home in the region.

Is Blackburn a certified radon mitigation contractor?

Yes. Blackburn Foundation Repair is a certified member of the National Radon Defense network and was ranked the number two National Radon Defense dealer nationally in 2021 and 2022. Our radon professionals receive ongoing education aligned with EPA guidelines and use the latest radon mitigation techniques and equipment to protect your family.

How long does radon mitigation system installation take?

Most radon mitigation systems are installed in a single day by Blackburn's trained professionals. The installation involves placing PVC piping through the foundation slab or crawl space, connecting it to a specialized radon fan, and routing the exhaust above the roofline. After installation, a follow-up test confirms that radon levels have been reduced to safe levels.

Radon Testing and Radon Mitigation Systems

Radon testing and mitigation across South Dakota and Wyoming

Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that can enter any home and build up indoors. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can increase the risk of lung cancer, and testing is the only way to know the level in your home.

Blackburn Foundation Repair offers free charcoal radon test kits, professional testing options, and radon mitigation systems designed for the home. Our service area includes South Dakota communities such as Sioux Falls and Rapid City, along with Wyoming communities including Gillette, Casper, Sheridan, and Newcastle.

Radon forms naturally as uranium breaks down in rock and soil. It can move through the ground and enter a home through floor cracks, construction joints, sump openings, and gaps around pipes. Elevated radon can occur in new or older homes, with or without a basement, so homeowners should test rather than rely on the appearance or age of the property.

Dangers of Radon in the Home

Outdoors, radon is usually diluted to low levels. Indoors, it can become concentrated, especially in basements and lower levels. Breathing elevated radon over many years can increase the risk of lung cancer. The CDC identifies radon as the second-leading cause of lung-cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoke, and the risk is greater for people who smoke.

Radon does not have a smell, color, or taste, and it does not cause immediate warning symptoms. Testing is the only way to know the radon level in a home.

Professional Radon Testing

Blackburn offers free charcoal radon test kits that homeowners can place in their own homes by following the included instructions. Because radon levels naturally fluctuate, the kit must remain in place for the required testing period before it is returned for analysis. Testing is the only reliable way to determine whether a home has an elevated radon level.

Our specialists may use a RadonEye during an inspection to obtain an initial reading, but a brief reading does not replace a properly timed radon test. For customers who want more detailed measurements over time, Blackburn also offers continuous radon monitor (CRM) testing for a fee. Once the results are available, our team can explain them and recommend mitigation when appropriate.

Click Here for Your Free Radon Test Kit

-or-

Click Here for Your Free Radon Mitigation System Estimate

Installing a Radon Mitigation System

If testing confirms an elevated radon level, a qualified mitigation professional can evaluate the home and design a system for its foundation type. A common approach is active soil suction: a fan draws radon-containing soil gas from beneath the slab or crawl space and vents it through piping above the home, where it is quickly diluted outdoors. The piping route, suction points, fan location, and system size are selected for the home.

Sealing accessible cracks and openings can improve a radon system’s performance, but the EPA does not recommend sealing alone as a reliable radon-reduction method. Some homes may require more than one suction point or additional measures. After installation, the home should be retested to confirm that radon levels were reduced. Homeowners should also check the system’s warning device regularly and follow the recommended retesting schedule.

Continuing Care for Your Home

After a radon mitigation system is installed, check its warning device or system monitor regularly to make sure it is operating. If the indicator shows that the system is not working properly, or if the fan, piping, or seals appear damaged, contact a qualified radon professional for service.

The EPA recommends retesting the home at least every two years to confirm that radon levels remain low. Retesting is also important after major renovations or changes to the foundation, heating system, or ventilation.

Check the system indicator regularly
Keep the fan and vent piping operating and unobstructed
Arrange service if the warning device shows a problem
Retest the home at least every two years

Regular monitoring and periodic retesting help confirm that a radon mitigation system continues to reduce radon as intended. Keep the system information and test results with your home records, and contact Blackburn Foundation Repair if the warning device changes or you have questions about the system.

Contact Blackburn Foundation Repair

Because radon cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, testing is the only way to know the radon level in your home. Long-term exposure to elevated radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, so homeowners should test and consider mitigation when results are high.

Blackburn Foundation Repair provides radon testing and mitigation services for homeowners throughout South Dakota and Wyoming. Our team considers the home’s foundation type, test results, and layout before recommending an appropriate radon-reduction system.

If you do not know your home’s radon level, start with a free charcoal radon test kit or ask about professional testing. If testing has already found an elevated level, schedule a free radon mitigation estimate.

To learn more about your risk for radon and how to keep your family safe, contact Blackburn Foundation Repair online or call us at 1 (800) 392-3389 for your home’s radon testing, or mitigation estimate.

Free Estimate!