Best DIY radon tests
brooklynite
| Posted in General Questions on
I want to test my basement for radon. I would like to do this myself, so long as the products available will yield accurate readings. (I include the use of test strips that I then mail to a lab in the DIY category.)
Are the commodity radon detectors good, or should I only trust a professional? Should I use a long- or short-term method? Which DIY products are the best?
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As a homeowner, I would recommend getting a decent electronic radon detector if you have radon concerns. They cost $115-$200. They are good for years. I can see the readings go down in the summer when we open the windows at night, and up in the winter when we have less ventilation.
I have a Safety Siren Pro3, which has worked well for me, but that model is no longer available. It appears to have been replaced with the Pro4 (~$200),
As an alternative, the Corentium ($115) has 80% 5-star ratings on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Corentium-Detector-Airthings-223-Lightweight/dp/B00H2VOSP8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Thanks, Mike. I see the products on Amazon and their reviews, but I'm feeling a little skeptical after a recent adventure with 3M's home lead tests, which get great reviews but have a >95% false positive rate.
I'll give the Safety Siren a shot.
User reviews are virtually useless for something like this. Sure, you can gauge whether the thing turns on, continues to turn on for a while after purchase, but that's about it. I would wager not one of those reviewers has the slightest idea whether the readings they are seeing are remotely accurate. How could they?
I would stick with the type that you send to a lab. The longer the test, the better the results. I would say 90 days is pretty good.
Just another user review:
I have the Corentium - it matches the lab tests well. But --- it's very useful to look at trends as you seal your basement. Also there are huge seasonal trends as things cool down and warm up.
https://sosradon.org/test-kits
I've been using the long term test kits.
Does anyone have additional recommendations for long-term radon monitors?
I've been using the AirThings Wave Plus units (three of them) and have been gathering data on three of them for enough time (basement, 1st, 2nd floor) that I can recommend them. I had an issue with one of them (radon readings did not make sense) but they replaced it.
Aside from Radon, I'm also using them to drive the ventilation system rates via the CO2 readings. These readings coincide pretty closely to an Ecowitt WH41 unit I'm using as well. Both Ecowitt and AirThings sensors can be integrated with Hubitat (automation controller) so you can also use these sensor inputs to drive automation events.
Thanks, good info!