If a basement is sealed can it still test + for radon?

[nicksanspam]

I disagree.

Who said anything about basements?

Nick

[hallerb]

all radon tests are done in basements

[Charlie Morgan]

Only because that is the point of entry. If you have radon in the basement, you want to remove it at that point so that it does not waft it's way up through the rest of the structure.

CWM

[hallerb]

older homes leak so much air, and radon is heavier than air...

its probably not a issue unless you live in the basement.

anyone concerned can do a radon test upstairs. usually the normal opening and closing of doors windows furnace venting etc dissapate radon.

when testing they demand the home be sealed for the week of the test....

life is full of risks, test the upstairs, I had a friend do that in a home with a number of over 8 in basement, upstairs the number was near background.

she still plans on getting a radon control system someday befor she sells, but her basement is storage only so she isnt concerned

[Charlie Morgan]

Radon is heavier than air... so how does it get into the basement? Does air in the basement ever get used in forced air heating systems? Can there ever be negative pressure in a house that might draw something heavier than air up through the house? What would cause it? Ohhhhh!

[hallerb]

Furnace and chimney flues create negative pressure so does weather changes when low pressure fronts come thru.

plus stuff tends to go from higher pressure under ground to lower pressure ambient air pressure, add cracks or voids just makes it worse

[Ether Jones]

Nope. The standard procedure around here is to continue living in the house as you normally do. If that means opening the windows on a cool summer day, then so be it.