We recommend to all homeowners no matter where they are in the UK, should have radon testing carried out to ensure that their property is not affected by high levels of radon. There are several different types of radon testing that you can choose from, so what is the best option for your property?
In this article, we will look at the different types of test kits, detectors, and monitors that are available for homeowners to buy. This will then hopefully guide you in choosing the best option for your property.
Passive Radon Detectors
The most commonly used type of radon testing for property owners is the passive radon detectors. Passive radon detectors, as you can see below, are a small inobtrusive product that takes up very little room. The way that they work is by allowing air to pass through the detector. Radon particles will then leave a trace on the ‘lens’ that can be measured.
The detectors are then sent to a laboratory for analysis where the personnel will analyze the lens to confirm the level of radon exposure.
It is important to note, radon levels do fluctuate on a day-to-day basis so we always recommend that you should purchase radon detectors that record levels for 3 months.
This will then give a more accurate result of what the radon levels are at your property. You can purchase 3-month radon test kits by clicking the link down below:
There are some instances where you cannot wait 3 months for collecting results and you will need quick results, this is where 10-day test kits will help you.
If you are looking to sell or buy a house, then buying a 10-day radon detector is the best option for you. To purchase a pair of 10-day radon passive radon detectors simply click the link down below:
There are important things you need to consider when purchasing passive radon detectors which are listed down below:
- Higher radon levels tend to be found in the winter months of the year. This is down to factors such as weather conditions and the opening and closing of doors and windows, all of which can affect the level of radon in the property.
- Passive radon detectors do not have any display (which is why it is passive and not active) so you will not know whether you have high or low radon levels until the detectors are sent to the laboratory and analyzed.
- To provide the most accurate readings one detector should be placed at ground level and one on the first floor of the property. For larger properties, more detectors can be purchased and should be placed accordingly. If you have a basement then one detector should be placed there as basements are prone to the highest radon levels.
- You should also note that once the radon detector has been used and analyzed it cannot be reused.
- For the radon detectors to be processed in the laboratory, you should expect a wait time of 2 weeks to receive your results.
Digital Radon Monitor
When comparing digital radon monitors to passive radon detectors; Digital radon monitors provide active readings of radon at the property.
This means you can see the ‘live’ radon levels displayed on a screen. With the results being able to be displayed on the screen it will mean that you will not have to send it to the laboratory for analysis.
Digital radon monitors are particularly useful when mitigation work has been carried out as you will be able to continuously monitor to see if the mitigation system is working correctly, as well as check to see if the radon levels have dropped.
There are several digital radon monitors to choose from. We recommend the Canary or Radon Eye Plus 2. The new RadonEye Plus 2 is the latest in smart radon detectors.
The RadonEye Plus 2 connects to the WIFI meaning that the radon levels can be checked remotely. Not only does it check for indoor radon levels, but it is also able to monitor the temperature and humidity levels.
The most purchased radon monitor is the Canary which continually monitors radon levels and is a battery-operated device. It is important to note that it will need to be running for 7 days to start functioning properly and provide accurate readings.
We have listed down below some important things to consider when purchasing a radon monitor:
- For the duration of the monitoring period, the digital radon monitor should be left in one place on the property. After the test period, it can be moved to another area of the building. If you do this then you should reset it.
- While there are obvious benefits to the radon monitor having a screen display, if it is been used in a commercial building it may not be appropriate information for the employees to see. This is why some monitors have the option to disable the display.
- If you require a formal report for showing radon levels, digital radon monitors will not be appropriate so installing passive radon detectors may be the best option.
Where to Purchase Radon Detectors and Monitors?
We hope this article has given you a detailed explanation of the types of radon testing that you can have at your property. If you would like the purchase any of the radon testing methods we have mentioned, then visit our Radon Shop.