Diagnostic Tests
Definition: Procedures used to identify or characterize conditions within buildings that may contribute to radon entry or elevated radon levels or may provide information regarding the performance of a mitigation system.
Diagnostic testing for radon and radon entry can be done with several different types of equipment, the following photos with short explanations show some of the different diagnostic testing equipment we use at VSI Radon Reduction Corp. Diagnostic testing is not always about measuring radon levels, frequently it’s about determining the possibility or direction of air flow.
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 To a trained tester Grab samples from the sump pump can be a good indicator of radon levels in the home. The radon source as a general rule is 10 times greater than the average radon level in the home. If your home has a radon level of 6 pCi/l, we look for a radon source around 60 pCi/l.
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Using a Femto-Tech Radon Survey Instrument that can give radon readings in 3-5 minutes. High grab sample levels from inside of block walls can indicate the source of radon is the walls.
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 Using a chemical smoke to test air flow direction on a floor drain that is not trapped clearly shows the smoke being drawn down.
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 A short term test can be done in a crawl space in conjunction with testing the home, the result should only be used to indicate a source or hot spot, not the radon level of the home. A high radon level in the crawl space alone does not mean the home has radon.
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 This device is being used to measures the amount of vacuum created by the suction system at different locations below the basement floor.
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