Radon Testing — Oregon City, Portland & SW Washington

Oregon City Radon Testing.
Know Your Number.

Radon causes more lung cancer deaths than anything except smoking. It has no smell, no color, no warning signs. A professional 48-hour electronic test is the only way to know if your home is safe. Serving Oregon City, Portland, and all of SW Washington.

Schedule Radon Testing → (971) 202-1311
21,000+ US Deaths from Radon Annually
4 pCi/L EPA Action Level
48hr Minimum Test Period
2,400+ Inspections by Russ
Why It Matters

The Health Risk Nobody Warns You About

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when uranium breaks down in the soil under your home. It seeps up through the foundation and builds up inside, especially in basements and crawlspaces. You can't smell it. You can't see it. And breathing it over time significantly raises your risk of lung cancer.

The EPA and the Surgeon General both call radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. Only smoking kills more. The risk is cumulative. The longer you breathe elevated levels, the higher your lifetime risk. Kids and anyone who spends a lot of time on lower floors get the most exposure.

Here's the thing: every home is different. Regional averages don't tell you what's happening under your specific slab. A neighbor can test low while your home is well above the action level. The only way to know is to test. Radon testing can be added to any home inspection for one efficient visit.

EPA Guidance on Radon Levels 4 pCi/L or above: EPA recommends mitigation. Between 2 and 4 pCi/L: worth considering — there is no fully safe level. The national average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. Many Portland-area homes test above the action level.

No Safe Level Exists

The EPA says any radon exposure carries some risk. Even homes below 4 pCi/L can benefit from mitigation because the fix is affordable and it works.

Any Home Can Have High Levels

New or old, slab or basement, wood frame or concrete. Radon gets in through any crack or gap in the foundation. Construction type doesn't predict risk.

Levels Change Over Time

A test from five years ago isn't reliable today. Soil shifts, renovations, and HVAC changes all affect radon. The EPA recommends retesting every two years.

Mitigation Actually Works

A licensed radon mitigation system can reduce indoor levels by up to 99%. The fix is proven, well-understood, and done in a single day. Elevated radon is not a reason to walk away.

Oregon City, Portland & SW Washington

What the Data Says About This Region

Oregon City and most of the Portland metro sit in EPA Radon Zone 2, meaning predicted average indoor levels run between 2 and 4 pCi/L. But averages hide a wide range. Plenty of homes in this region test well above the 4 pCi/L action level.

Zone 2

EPA Designation

Oregon City, the Portland metro, and Clark County, WA are EPA Zone 2. Predicted averages run 2 to 4 pCi/L. Many individual homes test higher.

1.3 pCi/L

US Indoor Average

The national average indoor radon level. Homes in this region routinely test above it. Testing is the only way to know where your home stands.

4 pCi/L

Action Level

Test at or above 4 pCi/L? The EPA recommends a mitigation system. It's effective, affordable, and done in a day.

Pacific Northwest soil conditions matter. Oregon City and the Portland metro have geology, clay soils, and building practices that can push radon into homes at rates above what the zone averages suggest. I inspect this region every week. Elevated levels show up regularly, including in brand-new homes across Oregon City and Clackamas County.
What's Included

Professional Testing. Plain-Language Results.

Every radon test uses a continuous electronic monitor — not a charcoal canister kit. The device records radon levels every hour for the full 48-hour test period. The result is a data log that real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys all accept.

  • Continuous electronic monitor placed in the lowest livable area
  • 48-hour minimum test period per EPA protocol
  • Tamper-evident, time-stamped hourly data log
  • Results in pCi/L compared against EPA benchmarks
  • Digital report with a plain-English explanation of your results
  • Mitigation guidance included if levels exceed the action threshold
  • Can be bundled with any home inspection for one visit
  • Accepted for real estate transactions and negotiations

Radon Testing Pricing

Add-On with Inspection $150
Standalone Radon Test $195

Adding radon to your home inspection is the most efficient option. One visit, one scheduling window, results within 48 hours of test completion. The standalone price applies when no full inspection is being done at the same time. See full pricing for all inspection options.

Military discount available. Veterans, active duty, reservists, and military families get 10% off all services, including radon testing. Just mention your service when you book.
The Process

How Radon Testing Actually Works

Four steps from booking to results. No guesswork. No waiting by the mailbox.

Step 1
1

Book Online

Schedule any time at trustedhome.org/scheduler. Add radon to your home inspection or book it standalone. Instant confirmation.

Step 2
2

Monitor Placed

Russ places the electronic monitor in the lowest livable area. Closed-house conditions begin. The device starts recording immediately.

Step 3
3

48 Hours of Data

The monitor records radon every hour for the full test period. This produces a time-stamped data log that satisfies EPA and real estate requirements.

Step 4
4

Results Delivered

Your digital report arrives with your average pCi/L reading, the full data log, a plain-language explanation, and next steps if levels are elevated.

When to Test

Six Situations Where Radon Testing Matters

Radon testing isn't just for buyers. Here are the six most common situations where getting a professional test makes sense.

Buying a Home

Test before you close. If levels are elevated, you can ask the seller to mitigate or negotiate a price reduction. After closing, that cost is yours.

Selling a Home

A pre-listing radon test removes surprises. Document low levels as a selling point, or fix elevated levels before buyers find them.

Homes with Basements

Basements trap radon at higher levels than the rest of the house. Any home with a basement or below-grade living space should be tested, regardless of age or build type.

Homes You Already Own

The EPA recommends testing every two years and after major renovations affecting the foundation, crawlspace, or ventilation. Many homeowners have never tested at all.

New Construction

Radon-resistant features reduce risk but don't guarantee safe levels. Testing after construction confirms whether your new home actually performs as expected. See new construction inspections.

After Mitigation

Post-mitigation testing confirms your system is working. The EPA recommends retesting within 24 hours of installation, then again 24 hours later to verify performance.

DIY vs. Professional

Not All Radon Tests Are Created Equal

Charcoal canister kits exist. So do reasons not to trust them for a real estate transaction. Here's how they compare.

Feature DIY Canister Kit Professional Monitor
Test Method Passive charcoal absorption Continuous electronic recording
Tamper Detection ✗ ✓ Time-stamped log
Accepted in Real Estate Transactions Sometimes ✓ Universally
Hourly Data Log ✗ ✓
Results Turnaround 1 to 2 weeks after mailing to lab Within 48 hrs of test completion
Independent Third Party ✗ ✓
Plain-Language Explanation ✗ ✓ With mitigation guidance
If Levels Are Elevated

Elevated Radon Is Fixable.

Finding elevated radon in a home you want to buy is not a deal-breaker. It's a negotiation point. Mitigation systems are reliable, well-understood, and installed throughout the Portland metro by licensed contractors. The technology has been around for decades and the results are proven.

The most common method is sub-slab depressurization. A pipe and fan pull radon from below the foundation and vent it outside before it can get in. The system runs quietly and needs almost no maintenance.

If you're under contract, ask the seller to install a system before closing, or negotiate a price reduction to cover it. This is a routine transaction item. Don't let elevated radon end a deal before you understand what the fix actually involves.

If you already own the home, Oregon and Washington both maintain lists of licensed radon mitigation contractors. Mitigation doesn't require moving out and is typically done in a single day.

What Mitigation Looks Like

  • Sub-slab depressurization is the most common method. A pipe and fan pull radon from below the slab and vent it outside.
  • Systems can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99% and work in virtually any home.
  • Installation is typically done in a single day. No need to leave the home.
  • Post-mitigation testing confirms the system is performing as expected.
  • In a real estate transaction, mitigation is a negotiable item. Sellers frequently cover the cost.
Typical Mitigation Cost in the Oregon City / Portland Area $800 to $2,500 depending on home size, foundation type, and system complexity. For a home under contract, this is a straightforward negotiation item. Most buyers in Oregon City and across the Portland metro successfully negotiate seller-paid mitigation.

Client Stories

What people say about Russ

Real reviews from clients across Portland Metro & SW Washington.

★★★★★ 5.0 RatingGoogle Reviews ★★★★★ 5.0 RatingYelp Reviews
Common Questions

Radon Testing FAQ

Straight answers to what Oregon City and Portland-area buyers, sellers, and homeowners ask most. Have another question? Call (971) 202-1311. Russ answers his own phone.

View the full FAQ →
The Basics
The monitor stays in place for at least 48 hours, per EPA protocol. For a home purchase, we place the device at the start of the inspection period and pick it up 48 hours later. Results come once retrieval and processing are done. The whole thing fits inside a standard inspection contingency window.
The EPA recommends mitigation for any home at or above 4 pCi/L. Homes between 2 and 4 pCi/L should also consider it — there is no fully safe level. The national average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. See full pricing for add-on rates.
$150 added to a home inspection. $195 as a standalone test. Both use professional electronic monitors and produce a tamper-evident digital report. Adding radon to your inspection is the most efficient and economical option. Full pricing →
Yes, but closed-house conditions must be maintained. Windows and exterior doors stay closed except for normal entry and exit. Your HVAC running normally is fine. The goal is to avoid artificially ventilating the home, which would lower readings and give you inaccurate results.
DIY charcoal kits use passive absorption and must be mailed to a lab — that's 1 to 2 weeks just for results. They have no tamper detection and aren't always accepted in real estate transactions. Professional electronic monitors record levels continuously, produce a tamper-evident time-stamped log, and deliver results within 48 hours. They're universally accepted in transactions.
Special Situations
Yes. Many new homes have radon-resistant features, but those features reduce risk rather than guarantee safe levels. The only way to confirm performance is to test. Elevated levels show up regularly in new builds. Don't assume new means safe. Learn more about new construction inspections.
Yes. Russ Motyko holds active licenses in both Oregon (OCHI #1898) and Washington (DOL #1856). We serve Clark County communities including Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Washougal — plus Oregon City and the full Portland metro.
You can bundle radon with a home inspection and mold testing in one visit. Both are invisible health hazards you can only find through testing. If the home has a crawlspace, basement, or any signs of moisture issues, combining both tests gives you a complete picture. See pricing for add-on rates.
Results & Next Steps
Elevated radon is fixable. Mitigation systems are reliable and installed by licensed contractors throughout the Portland metro. If you're under contract, ask the seller to install a system before closing or negotiate a price reduction. This is a common, routinely resolved transaction item.
Oregon's disclosure law requires sellers to disclose known material defects, which can include prior elevated radon results. But if the seller has never tested, there's nothing to disclose. This is exactly why buyers should test independently. A pre-listing inspection with radon testing lets sellers address issues before buyers find them.
Yes. Trusted Home Inspections is veteran-owned. We offer a 10% military discount to veterans, active duty, reservists, National Guard members, and military families on all services, including radon testing. Mention your service when you book. Military discount details →
Booking & Availability
Usually within 24 to 48 hours. We work 7 days a week and keep the calendar open for buyers under contingency. Same-week bookings are normal. Schedule online →
Oregon City and the full Portland metro on the Oregon side, plus Clark County, WA — including Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Washougal. Roughly a 35-mile radius from Oregon City. If you're unsure whether your address is in range, just call.
Yes. You can add radon at the time of booking or by calling before the inspection day. Adding it to a buyer's home inspection is the most efficient option — one visit, one window, and the test runs while you're in your contingency period.

Where We Inspect

Serving Portland Metro & Southwest Washington

Available 7 days a week within a ~35-mile radius of Portland. Not sure if we cover your area? Just call.

~35-mile radius from Portland
Available 7 days a week
Dual-licensed OR & WA
Oregon state-licensed home inspector seal
Oregon Certified OCHI Lic. #1898
Washington state-licensed home inspector seal
Washington Licensed DOL Lic. #1856

Multnomah County home inspections. Portland and the rest of Multnomah County are full of older housing stock, including 1920s craftsman bungalows in SE Portland, Pearl District lofts, and mid-century homes in NE Portland. Older homes mean knob-and-tube wiring, cast iron drains, and aging foundations. I’ve inspected hundreds of homes across Multnomah County and know exactly what to look for in each neighborhood.

Portland Gresham SE Portland NE Portland NW Portland North Portland Troutdale Bethany Sellwood Pearl District Fairview

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Schedule Today

Get Your Oregon City Radon Test Scheduled.

48-hour electronic testing. Tamper-evident results. Plain-language report. Available 7 days a week across Oregon City, the Portland metro, and SW Washington. Add it to your inspection or book it standalone.

Schedule Radon Testing → (971) 202-1311

Veteran-owned. Military discount available for active duty, veterans, reservists, and military families. Mention your service when you book.