Continuous Radon Monitoring

[Junoir]

Does anyone use continuous radon monitoring equipment? If so, what is the fast way to get a sample?

Is it possible to get a sample in the time it takes to do a home inspection?

Thanks,

JR

[Scottpat]

Yes I do and No it is not!

Per EPA guidelines the test needs to run 48 hours or longer.

[Neal Lewis]

The fastest way is to take a grab sample. We used to do that type of testing after installing mitigation systems. That testing was banned with the radon licensing in 1990.

[Junoir]

What is the "Best" choice for radon testing?

[Scottpat]

Originally posted by Junoir

What is the "Best" choice for radon testing?

You need to check and see if you have Radon problems in you your area. If you don't have radon problems then getting into the testing business will be like throwing money out the door.

For real estate transactions CRM's are the only way to go, IMO.

[Les]

Are you now an inspector?

Have you done any radon screening?

CRM's are the only way to go - lots of options

[Jim Morrison]

Well....

CRM's have their benefits, but I don't think they're "the only way to go". Let me offer another point of view:

You can charge $150 or so for CRM's, but you have costs involved, the largest of which is the return visit.

I charge $75 for charcoal canisters that cost me $19 and take ten minutes to deploy during the inspection.

For my business, the latter makes MUCH more sense.

[Les]

Good point. We have everyone trained to place and pick up devices, so it seldom involves much extra time and miles. We also treat every screening as a chain of custody activity.

[Neal Lewis]

If you are using a charcoal can, there is still the return trip to pick it up and mail it. Les, do mean you train the realtors to pick it up?

[Junoir]

What kind of CRM's do you use?

[Les]

No, Realtors do nothing for me. Well, my wife does get me going every once in a while. We are a multi-inspector company and everyone cross trains for everything except actual home inspections.

For example, the office mgr is trained to place and pick-up crms. Everyone is licensed to do WDI, etc.

[Jim Morrison]

My clients retrieve the canisters. I just sell the kits and deploy them.

[Scottpat]

On about 50% of my radon test I deploy the CRM two days before the home inspection and then I pick it up when I inspect the home. This works great for me.

[Neal Lewis]

That method works great in the winter, but is not good this time of year. As much as we notify people about closed house conditions, windows are usually open when we arrive. Then we have to do a 4 day test, which would mean a third trip back to the house.

[Kyle Kubs]

Originally posted by Jim Morrison

My clients retrieve the canisters. I just sell the kits and deploy them.

In NJ that is not legal - DEP requires a licensed Radon Tech to pickup the device. I also use CRM's and when possible deploy them 2-3 days in advance of the inspection - it gives me a chance to get a sneak peak at what is there, sometimes very helpful. I tell the sellers "if your gonna open the windows the monitor will know... and if I have to come back again it won't be for free" It's really cut down on the number of issues.

If it's summer and the house does not have A/C (god I hate those) I tell my client "there's a slim chance they are going to keep the windows closed when it gets to be 85-95 degrees in here and offer them the opportunity to due the test at a later date, for a slightly higher fee since it won't be with the inspection, they usually go that way.

CRM's are great but I really hate that extra cost to me, wether I have work or not...

[Scott at HHI]

What brand of CRM is being used? Has anyone ever heard of the brand "Radon Scout" from Norway?

Are you renting or did you buy a uni(s)?

[Les]

Never heard of Radon Scout.

We always buy units, Sun Nuclear. Used to have Honeywell, but have scraped them now.

[Scottpat]

Originally posted by Les

Never heard of Radon Scout.

We always buy units, Sun Nuclear. Used to have Honeywell, but have scraped them now.

Never heard of it as well.

I use Sun Nuclear 1027's. In fact I need to purchase a couple more 1027's!