Radon Questions from Wichita Homeowners

No level of radon is considered completely risk-free, because risk rises with exposure. The EPA recommends fixing your home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, and suggests considering a fix for levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L.

Radon is common across Kansas. EPA maps place Sedgwick County in Zone 2, meaning the predicted county average is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, and many other Kansas counties are in Zone 1, the highest category. But zone maps only predict averages. Neighboring houses can test very differently, so the EPA and KDHE say every home should be tested.

For a typical Wichita-area home with a basement or slab, our estimate of the usual range is about $800 to $1,500 for a standard sub-slab depressurization system. Homes with crawl spaces, multiple foundations, or difficult routing can cost more. See our cost guide for details. Your written quote is what counts.

Kansas law requires anyone who performs radon testing or mitigation for others in the state to be certified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Ask any contractor for their KDHE certification and check it before you hire. Homeowners can test their own homes with a do-it-yourself kit.

Most single-family installs take part of a day, often 3 to 6 hours. Larger homes, homes with crawl spaces, or homes with more than one foundation type can take longer.

No system removes all radon, and outdoor air itself contains a small amount. A well-designed sub-slab system typically brings levels well below 4 pCi/L, often far below. The EPA notes some systems can reduce levels by up to 99 percent. A follow-up test confirms your result.

Every properly installed system has a pressure gauge (usually a U-tube manometer) on the pipe so you can see that the fan is pulling suction. Do a follow-up radon test after installation, and the EPA recommends retesting every two years and after major renovations.

Radon fans run around the clock. When mounted outside or in the attic, most people barely hear them. Electricity use depends on the fan model; many residential fans draw somewhere between about 20 and 150 watts. Ask for the fan model in your quote so you can estimate running cost.

Kansas does not require a radon test to sell a home. Kansas law (K.S.A. 58-3078a) does require residential sales contracts to include a radon warning statement, and sellers must disclose any known information showing elevated radon. Buyers often test during the inspection period. See radon for home sales.

You can test your own home. Installing a system yourself is possible, but most homeowners hire a certified pro because system design, sealing, fan sizing and exhaust placement all affect whether it works and whether it meets the industry standard. A home-sale buyer will usually want a certified install.

Yes. New construction can have high radon too, and some newer homes are tighter, which can trap more of it. If your builder installed a passive radon pipe, a test will tell you whether it is enough or whether a fan should be added.

Kits are sold at hardware stores and online. The Kansas Radon Program (K-State Engineering Extension, working with KDHE) has information on low-cost kits, and some K-State Research and Extension county offices sell them. A certified measurement professional can also run a continuous monitor test for you.