Colorless. Odorless. Undetectable without testing. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States — and the only way to know is to test.
Specialty Testing Service
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It seeps into homes through foundation cracks, construction joints, and gaps around pipes — completely undetectable without measurement equipment. There is no safe level of radon exposure, and long-term exposure to elevated levels is the leading environmental cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Clay Hancock provides certified radon testing using approved measurement protocols for buyers, sellers, and homeowners throughout Huntsville and North Alabama. The test is simple. The report is clear. And if elevated levels are found, mitigation is effective and affordable — but only if you know the problem exists.
Important: The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon levels when results reach or exceed 4 pCi/L. Many North Alabama homes test above this threshold. The only way to know your home’s radon level is to test — and testing is fast, affordable, and non-invasive.
Radon enters homes primarily from the soil beneath the foundation. Every home — new or old, with or without a basement, on any soil type — has the potential for elevated radon levels. Common entry points include cracks in concrete slabs and foundation walls, gaps around service pipes, construction joints, and crawl space openings.
North Alabama’s geological profile, including limestone karst formations and varied soil conditions across Madison, Limestone, and Morgan counties, creates conditions where radon levels can vary significantly even between neighboring homes. The only reliable way to know your specific home’s radon level is to test it.
Home purchases are the most common trigger for radon testing, and with good reason. Radon testing during the inspection period gives buyers the ability to negotiate mitigation as a condition of sale — or to factor the cost into their offer. Clay recommends radon testing for every home purchase, regardless of age, construction type, or location.
Current homeowners should test if they have never done so, if they have made significant changes to the home’s foundation or HVAC system, or if they spend significant time in lower levels of the home such as a finished basement or ground-floor bedroom.
Sellers benefit from testing before listing so there are no surprises during the buyer’s inspection. Knowing your radon level in advance allows you to mitigate proactively and present a healthier home to buyers.
Radon Testing Scope
A radon test result above the EPA action level is not a reason to walk away from a home. Radon mitigation systems are highly effective, typically reducing indoor radon levels by up to 99%. Most systems are installed in a single day and cost a fraction of what buyers often negotiate as repair credits in a typical real estate transaction.
Clay can recommend qualified radon mitigation contractors serving the Huntsville area and help you understand your options for addressing elevated results.
Call Clay directly • Alabama Licensed HI 1051 • InterNACHI® Member • Serving Huntsville & North Alabama