One question we always get asked at PropertECO is where do I place radon detectors in my home? This article will explain describe what are the best areas for the radon detectors to be placed inside your property.
When carrying out a radon test in your home, it’s important to place your detectors in suitable locations so that a meaningful and reliable result is obtained.
Which rooms should I test?
For most homes, two radon detectors are used. One should be placed in a living room and one in a bedroom, which typically means one on the ground floor and one on the first floor. The purpose of this is to test the areas you spend the most time in.
So if you, or your children, spend more time in a kitchen/diner, family room or study rather than the actual living room, you should place a detector here. Just remember to correctly identify any rooms you test on the paperwork you return to the laboratory.
What if my house has a basement?
Properties with basements are susceptible to elevated levels of radon. The basement is likely to have the highest radon concentration in the property, but this is not always the case. We recommend testing the basement in addition to the ground floor and first floor areas.
If the basement or cellar only extends under part of the footprint of the building, it is best to test a ground floor room above the basement and one not above the basement, i.e. over solid ground as the radon levels can vary considerably in these instances.
What if my house has an extension?
When an extension is added onto a building, the sub-floor area is compartmentalised from the original areas due to the load bearing former external walls.
The floor construction and ventilation may differ in old and new parts of a building, therefore we recommend testing ground floor rooms in both parts of the building.
What if my house is very large?
For large buildings, particularly those that might be long and narrow, additional detectors should be considered to test further rooms so that a representative sample of the total floor area is obtained.
I live in a flat. Do I need to test for radon?
Indoor radon levels are almost always highest at the lowest floors of the building. If you live in a basement/garden flat you should carry out a radon test. If you live in a ground floor or first floor flat in a radon affected area, we also recommend testing for radon – simply place one detector in the living room and one in the bedroom as per standard advice.
If you live on the second floor or higher, it is unlikely that you will have elevated levels of radon however instances of high radon levels have been found in upper storeys when radon travels up through lift shafts, service boxing, ventilation ducts and so on. For peace of mind, it is therefore worth considering carrying out a radon test.
Where in the room should I put my radon detectors?
Here are some do’s and don’ts for placing your detectors:
DO place detectors at around 1 – 1.5m above floor level
DO place detectors on shelves, bookcases, picture hooks, bedside tables etc.
DO place detectors in locations where they will remain undisturbed for the entire test period
DO NOT place detectors inside cupboards or drawers
DO NOT place detectors on the floor or on top of tall furniture, e.g. wardrobes
DO NOT place detectors in reach of children or pets
DO NOT place detectors on windowsills where there may be a draft, mantelpieces or above radiators
DO NOT place detectors near sources of heat or ventilation in a kitchen
DO NOT place detectors on computer monitors or TV screens
Once the Radon Detectors Have Placed, What Happens Now?
Once the radon detectors have been placed in your property and the results are showing that you have high concentration levels of radon (above the target levels of 100 Becquerels) in the property, then you will need to have a form of radon mitigation system installed.
This can be either having a radon sump or positive pressure system put in place at your property. Contact PropertECO by clicking the link down below.
