Radon testing and mitigation for Billings-area homes

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and where things stand: no test yet, a high number, a home sale, or a system that needs a look.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent radon company that works in Billings and Yellowstone County.

3. They call you back

   They look at the house and quote testing or a mitigation system directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners, buyers, sellers and landlords in Billings, the Heights, the West End, Lockwood, Laurel and the smaller towns of Yellowstone County. If your house touches the ground, whether through a basement, a crawl space or a slab, radon can get in, and the only way to know your level is to test.

Is radon really a problem in Billings?

Yes, more often than most people expect. Billings sometimes gets thought of as lower-risk than western Montana, but local test results say otherwise.

• Local tests run high. A 2005 Montana State University study for the state compiled 2,352 radon tests from Yellowstone County homes. The combined average was 5.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and 42.4 percent were at or above the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level. The highest single result was 182.1 pCi/L.
• Statewide, it's common. Montana DEQ says roughly half of the homes tested in Montana come in at or above 4 pCi/L, and that the state's geology makes it prone to elevated radon.
• It's a health issue. The EPA calls radon the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked.

The EPA itself says its zone map shouldn't be used to decide whether a particular home needs testing. Two houses on the same Heights block can test very differently.

Where does radon come from?

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms as uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It has no color, smell or taste. It moves up through the ground and into houses through slab cracks, the joint where the floor meets the wall, sump pits, utility openings and bare dirt in crawl spaces. Because indoor air is usually at slightly lower pressure than the soil under the house, the house tends to pull soil gas in.

Why do Billings winters matter for radon?

Billings has a cold semi-arid climate, with winter lows dropping below zero on average about 13 days a year. When the furnace runs and windows stay shut, warm air rising through the house draws more soil gas in at the foundation. That's why a test taken in January often reads higher than one taken in July, and why winter is a good time to test. It also matters for installs: outdoor fans and exterior pipe runs have to be set up so condensation doesn't freeze and choke the line.

How do I test my home?

Use a short-term kit for a quick look or a long-term test (90 days or more) for a better read on your year-round average. Put it on the lowest floor you actually live on, keep the house closed up, and mail it to the lab on time. Montana DEQ's Radon Control Program has offered discounted kits by mail, most recently during January's Radon Action Month, while supplies last, and you can also buy kits at hardware stores. A radon measurement professional uses a calibrated continuous monitor, which is the usual choice for real estate deals. See radon testing.

What if my number is high?

The EPA recommends fixing a home at or above 4 pCi/L, and suggests considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L since no level is known to be safe. If your first result was a short-term test, a second test helps confirm it before you spend money. The standard fix is active soil depressurization: a pipe and fan that pull radon from under the floor and vent it above the roof. See radon mitigation systems.

Do radon contractors need a license in Montana?

No. Montana statute doesn't require radon certification, and Montana DEQ notes that it doesn't certify the contractors on its provider list or require proof that they're certified. DEQ recommends hiring someone certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB), getting written bids, and checking insurance and references. Companies with employees also need a Montana construction contractor registration. The Montana radon guide covers all of this, with sources.

What does radon mitigation cost?

It depends on the foundation (full basement, crawl space, slab or a mix), how freely air moves through the soil under the slab, where the pipe can run, and how many suction points the house needs. The company you're connected with looks at the house and gives you a written quote. We don't set or quote prices.

Is this a radon company?

No. Billings Radon Removal is a referral service. We connect you with an independent radon company that serves your address, and that company tests, quotes, installs and stands behind the work. Before you sign anything, read our tips for hiring a radon contractor.

Areas we cover

• Billings
• Billings Heights
• Lockwood
• Laurel

Planning ahead? Read our Montana radon guide.