How to Test Your Home for Radon in Indiana

March 2, 2026

Testing for radon takes less effort than most people expect. A short-term test kit from the hardware store costs $15–30, takes 48–96 hours, and gives you a result within a week. Here is how to do it right.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Tests

Short-term tests (48–96 hours)

• Available at hardware stores for $15–30
• Results in 1–2 weeks (mail the canister to a lab)
• Sufficient for most homeowners and required for real estate transactions
• Accuracy: results can vary ±20–30% from your true annual average

Long-term tests (90 days to 1 year)

• Alpha track detectors, available online and through labs
• More accurate representation of your home’s average radon level
• Best for confirming whether your short-term result is representative
• Not typically used in real estate transactions due to time constraints

For most Indiana homeowners: Start with a short-term test. If results are near 4 pCi/L (say, 3–5 pCi/L), follow up with a long-term test for confirmation before investing in mitigation.

Where to Place the Test Kit

Placement matters. Follow these guidelines:

Where to place it:

• Lowest livable level of your home — basement if you have one, main floor if not
• At least 20 inches above the floor
• Away from exterior walls, windows, doors, and drafts
• In a room you use regularly (bedroom, family room, finished basement)

Where NOT to place it:

• Kitchen or bathroom (humidity affects results)
• Laundry room
• Crawl space (unless specifically testing the crawl space)
• In direct sunlight or near heat sources
• In a room that is not regularly used

For multi-story homes: Test the basement first. If you have a finished basement you use as living space, test there. If the basement is unfinished storage, test the first floor above it instead.

Closed-House Conditions

Short-term tests require closed-house conditions during the entire test period:

• Keep all windows and exterior doors closed (except for normal entry/exit)
• Do not operate whole-house fans that pull outdoor air in
• Normal HVAC operation (heating/cooling) is fine
• Avoid heavy rain or high winds during testing — they can temporarily affect results

If you cannot maintain closed conditions for the full 48–96 hours, reschedule the test.

Reading Your Results

Your lab report will show a result in pCi/L (picocuries per liter).

The EPA’s action level is 4 pCi/L. At this level or above, the agency recommends mitigation.

DIY Test vs. Hiring a Licensed Tester

DIY short-term kit ($15–30):

• Sufficient for your own knowledge
• Accepted for most insurance or lender purposes
• Not certified — carries less weight in real estate negotiations
• Results accuracy depends on proper placement and closed-house conditions

Certified test by a licensed Indiana tester ($100–200):

• Required for some real estate transactions and lender requirements
• Chain-of-custody documentation makes results harder to dispute
• Licensed tester places equipment correctly and ensures protocol compliance
• Carries significantly more weight in purchase negotiations

For a real estate transaction, use a licensed Indiana tester. For your own knowledge, a hardware store kit is entirely adequate.

When to Retest

• Every 2 years in a home without a mitigation system
• After any major renovation that affects the foundation or HVAC
• After installing a mitigation system (within 24 hours of installation, then again 6–12 months later)
• When buying a home — even if the sellers provide a recent test, conditions change

If Your Test Comes Back Above 4 pCi/L

1. Do a confirmation test if your result is 4–6 pCi/L (results in this range benefit from a second short-term test or a long-term test)
2. For results above 6 pCi/L, mitigation is strongly recommended without waiting for confirmation
3. Find a licensed Indiana radon mitigator — every contractor on this site holds an active IPLA license
4. Get at least two quotes — mitigation costs range from $1,200–$2,000 in Indiana
5. Ask for a post-mitigation test to confirm the system is working