| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | Varies by home - confirm in your quote |
| Time | Varies by home - confirm in your quote |
| Who's qualified | Licensed or certified radon mitigation contractor, such as NRPP or NRSB certified |
Richmond, KY: what's different here
Richmond is the seat of Madison County, Kentucky, where local geology includes limestone and black shale areas that can produce radon. Madison County geology recommends testing homes in higher-risk areas, and the county's karst features, such as sinkholes and underground streams, can let radon move into houses. Richmond is about 23 miles and roughly 27 minutes by car from Lexington via I-75.
Do I need to test my home for radon first?
Yes. EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon, regardless of county zone. The Kentucky Radon Program says fewer than 1 in 10 Kentucky houses has been tested, so testing is the only way to know your level.
Where can I get a free radon test kit in Richmond?
Kentucky homeowners can get free radon test kits through local health departments and the Kentucky Radon Program. The Kentucky Radon on the RADAR program also offers free detector kits for checkout at participating county libraries.
Why are basements and limestone areas a concern?
Basements usually have more entry points for radon and lower air pressure than the surrounding soil, so levels are generally higher there than on upper floors. Madison County geology notes that Mississippian and Ordovician limestones and Devonian black shales carry the highest indoor-radon potential in Kentucky.
What does the state require for new construction?
Kentucky Housing Corporation policy requires a passive radon reduction venting system in all newly constructed single-family units. The same policy requires mitigation when test results are at or above 4.0 pCi/L until indoor levels fall below that number.
What to do next
- Order or pick up a free test kit from your county health department or a participating county library, and test in the lowest livable level of the home.
- If results are at or above 4 pCi/L, verify a contractor's NRPP or NRSB certification using the Kentucky state program or certification lists.
- Ask each contractor for a written quote that lists the venting system design, the fan, and a post-mitigation retest.
- Request a follow-up test after installation to confirm indoor levels are below 4.0 pCi/L.
- Call (859) 249-8571 or email [email protected] for a free quote from a Kentucky-certified (NRPP/NRSB) radon mitigation contractor.
Lexington Radon Pros is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
