Radon is not a topic most Central Florida homeowners think about, and that is exactly the problem. This colorless, odorless, tasteless gas forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, and it can accumulate to concerning levels inside a home regardless of how new or well built that home is. Radon testing is the only way to know whether your home falls into that category, since there is no way to see, smell, or otherwise sense elevated levels without it.
Many Orlando area residents assume radon is a problem for other parts of the country, places with older housing stock or different geology. That assumption does not hold up in Florida, where testing consistently reveals elevated readings in homes across the state, including right here in Central Florida.
Why Radon Testing Matters in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Health, one in five Florida homes tested has radon levels above the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter, and radon remains the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause among people who have never smoked. That statistic alone should be reason enough for any homeowner or buyer in the Orlando area to schedule this kind of test rather than assume the issue does not apply locally.
What makes this particularly important in this region is that elevated levels are not limited to homes built directly on soil. Multi-story buildings and homes with poured concrete slabs have also shown elevated readings in parts of Central Florida, since radon can originate from certain building materials in addition to the ground beneath a structure.
How Radon Testing Works
This process typically involves placing a specialized measuring device inside the lowest livable level of a home for a set period, usually forty eight hours for a short term test. The device measures radon concentration in the air, and results are reported in picocuries per liter. Because levels can fluctuate based on weather, ventilation, and even the time of year, this kind of testing follows specific protocols regarding closed house conditions to produce an accurate and reliable reading.
For real estate transactions, this kind of testing is often scheduled alongside a standard home inspection so buyers have complete information before closing. Sellers can also benefit from having it done ahead of listing a property, since a documented, favorable result becomes a selling point rather than an unresolved question during negotiations.
What Happens If Radon Testing Finds Elevated Levels
An elevated result does not mean a home is unsafe forever or unsellable. It means a mitigation system, most commonly an active soil depressurization system, should be installed to reduce radon levels to an acceptable range. These systems work by venting radon gas from beneath the foundation to the outside air before it can accumulate indoors, and they are a well established, effective solution used throughout Florida and the rest of the country.
Homeowners who complete mitigation after this kind of test should schedule a follow up test to confirm the system is working as intended, since installation alone does not guarantee results without verification.
Scheduling Radon Testing for Your Home
Whether you are buying a home in Winter Park, selling a property in Kissimmee, or simply want peace of mind about a home you have lived in for years, this kind of test gives you the facts rather than an assumption. Given how affordable testing is relative to the potential health stakes, there is little reason for any Central Florida homeowner to skip this step entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is radon testing required in Florida real estate transactions? It is not universally required by law, but many buyers and lenders request it, and it is a common add on to a standard home inspection in this region.
How long does this kind of test take? A standard short term test typically runs for forty eight hours, with results available shortly after the testing period ends.
Can this be done in a home with a pool or slab foundation? Yes. This process works regardless of foundation type, and slab homes in Central Florida are tested using the same reliable methods as homes with a different foundation.
Does a new home need this kind of test? Yes. Radon levels are related to the soil and building materials beneath and around a structure, not the age of the home, so new construction can test just as elevated as an older property.
Get clear answers about the air inside your home. Schedule Your Inspection with JVC Home Inspection today.
JVC Home Inspection proudly serves Orlando, Maitland, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Clermont, Casselberry, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Saint Cloud, Davenport, Deltona, Poinciana, Longwood, and the surrounding Central Florida communities.