For efficiency, I test in three general geographic areas on specific days. Call 730-230-8642 if you need a rush job or on on a unique day.

Generally,

In the Alton, Godfrey, Grafton areas: I like to place tests on Mondays and recover them on Thursdays.

In the Edwardsville and Collinsville areas: I like to place tests on Tuesdays and collect them on Fridays.

For other areas: I like to place tests on Wednesdays and collect them on Saturdays.

I adapt from there if I need to place tests in the St. Louis Metro.

Radon tests for real estate purposes take about three days. What happens after that depends upon the test method. Tests can run longer than 3 days with no adverse effects. Radon tests cannot be less than 48 hours.

An activated charcoal test is placed at the lowest occupiable level in a property. It measures the highest radon level in the house during that three day period. During this time, the property owner needs to keep closed home conditions. Don't open windows during testing time. Come and go as normal, keep windows shut and operate HVAC as you normally would. After 3 days, your test is collected by a Radon Measurement Professional or a Radon Measurement Technician and sent to a lab for analysis. Total time needed is about 5-6 days between placement and lab results delivery.

A continuous monitor measures Radon level fluctuations. While it is in the house, it will take continuous measurements and record them hour by hour. Your Radon Measurement Professional will collect the testing equipment after 48 to 72 hours (longer is OK, less is not). S/he will be able to access results almost immediately. There is no need for lab analysis. Continuous monitors are very expensive pieces of equipment. This is why fees for continuous monitor testing are higher. You also get better data that shows how radon levels fluctuate with humidity and temperature differences. While it's always better to observe closed house conditions, it is OK to run HVAC normally, live normally, come and go as you please.

If your home has more than 1 foundation type (eg a partial basement, with a slab or crawlspace for the rest), the Radon Measurement Professional will have to place more testing kits. In this case, I recommend 1 continuous measure machine for the main basement area, and 1 activated charcoal test in each of the different foundation types.

Email peterson@radondog.com or call 730-230-8642 to get on the schedule. I have capacity to do 20 - 30 tests per week. I will call or email back right away to learn what the best time of day would be.