If you cannot see or smell radon, how do you know your DeWitt home is safe? You care about your family’s health and your home’s value, and radon touches both. In this quick guide, you’ll learn why radon matters in DeWitt, when and how to test, what to do if levels are high, and how to handle radon during a sale. Let’s dive in.
Why radon deserves a spot on your checklist
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can build up indoors from the soil under your home. Health agencies identify radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., with thousands of deaths each year linked to exposure. CDC guidance on radon explains that risk rises with higher levels and longer exposure.
The EPA’s action level is 4.0 pCi/L. At or above that number, you should fix the problem. It is reasonable to consider mitigation between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L. You can review the EPA’s consumer resources in the radon publications library.
DeWitt’s risk and where to look
Clinton County, including DeWitt, is shown as a highest‑potential area on Michigan’s updated radon probability map. Many local homes have measured above the EPA action level, which is why state and local partners recommend testing every home. You can view ZIP‑level results on EGLE’s interactive indoor radon results map.
Not sure where to get a kit? EGLE lists local partners, including the Mid‑Michigan District Health Department for Clinton County. Check availability and any free or discounted options on EGLE’s Find a test kit page.
When to test and how often
Radon can affect any home, regardless of age or foundation type. Make testing a simple routine:
- Test when you move in and every 2 to 5 years after that.
- Test before and after major renovations or finishing a basement.
- If a mitigation system is installed, test every 2 years.
- Winter testing under “closed‑house” conditions gives a reliable short‑term read in Michigan’s climate. See EPA timing guidance on how often to test.
How to test, step by step
Start with a short‑term test for a quick screening. If you want a year‑round average, use a long‑term test.
- Short‑term vs long‑term: Short‑term devices typically run 2 to 7 days and are common in real‑estate timelines. Long‑term devices run more than 90 days and give a better annual average. Learn the basics in EPA’s overview of indoor radon levels.
- Where to place the device: Use the lowest lived‑in level where you spend time, not the kitchen or bathroom. Place it on an interior location 20 inches to 6 feet above the floor, away from drafts, heat, and windows. Maintain closed‑house conditions 12 hours before and during a short‑term test. The American Lung Association’s guidance covers placement basics.
- DIY or professional: DIY kits are affordable and work well when used correctly. For a documented result in a sale, many buyers and sellers hire a qualified professional.
What to do if your result is high
Do not panic. Radon problems are common and fixable at moderate cost.
- Confirm the result: If a short‑term test is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, follow up with either a long‑term test or a second short‑term test to confirm before taking permanent action. See the EPA’s clinician guidance for the confirm‑then‑fix approach in the Physician’s Guide to Radon.
- Fix the issue: The most common method is active sub‑slab depressurization, which vents soil gas safely outside. Typical Michigan installations often range from about $800 to $2,500, with low monthly operating costs and fans that commonly last many years. EGLE outlines mitigation and upkeep on its radon program page.
- Choose the right pro: Michigan does not license radon contractors. EGLE recommends hiring professionals certified by national programs such as NRPP or NRSB and getting written estimates and references. See EGLE’s list of guidance and contacts for radon testers and mitigators.
- Retest after mitigation: Always perform a post‑mitigation test to confirm the system works.
Buying or selling in DeWitt? Make radon part of the plan
Radon is a routine part of many transactions and should be handled with clarity and documentation.
- Seller disclosures: Michigan’s Seller Disclosure Act requires sellers to disclose known environmental hazards, including radon gas, along with any known testing or mitigation information. You can review the statute text under the Seller Disclosure Act.
- Transaction testing: Buyers often request a fresh short‑term or professional test, especially if the seller’s result is older than about two years. EPA’s consumer guides in the radon publications library offer checklists for real‑estate testing.
- Negotiation: Radon fixes are usually straightforward. Common options include the seller installing a system before closing, a credit to the buyer, or holding funds in escrow for post‑closing mitigation.
Make it part of your home routine
A little planning keeps your air safer and your paperwork ready for your next move.
- Put a reminder on your calendar to test every 2 to 5 years.
- Test after big projects or a change in how you use lower levels.
- Keep all test results, system specs, and warranties in one folder.
- If you install a system, place a label and keep a simple log of fan checks and retests.
If you are getting ready to buy or sell in DeWitt and want a practical plan for testing and documentation, reach out to Heidi Smith for local guidance.
FAQs
If my DeWitt neighbor’s radon test was low, do I still need to test?
- Yes. Radon varies from lot to lot and even between similar homes, so you should test your own property.
What is the best time of year to test for radon in Michigan?
- Winter during closed‑house conditions is ideal for short‑term testing, but testing any time is better than not testing. Use long‑term tests for year‑round averages.
How much does a typical Michigan radon mitigation system cost?
- Many homes can be fixed in the range of about $800 to $2,500, with low monthly operating costs and fans that often last a decade or more.
Will a radon mitigation system turn off buyers?
- Systems are visible but common, affordable to run, and reassuring when paired with documentation and post‑mitigation test results.
Should I test my well water for radon in DeWitt?
- Start with indoor air. Consider water testing only if air levels stay elevated after mitigation or if well testing indicates very high radon.
How often should I retest if I already have a mitigation system?
- Retest about every 2 years and after any major changes to the home or the system.
