Giving you Peace Of Mind
Callaway & Associates, Inc. is licensed by IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency a Division of Nuclear Safety) as a Radon Measurement Professional with Residential and Commercial certification, License # RNI2005209. We perform residential, commercial, multi-family housing and school radon testing.
Radon Testing is performed using Rad Elec, Inc. Electret Ion Chambers (E-Perms) and Continuous Radon Monitors (CRM).
Callaway & Associates, Inc. is licensed by IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) as a Radon Measurement Professional and is NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Plan) certified allowing for HUD multi-family testing.
There is no reason to fear radon; every building has some amount present. The question to be answered is what are the levels. The only way to tell is to test. A typical real estate transaction test will run for a minimum of 48 hours, with the preferred testing period of 96 hours being used if time permits, results being delivered within 24 hours of test completion. By having Callaway & Associates, Inc. perform a radon test, you can be assured that the test was performed by an IEMA licensed Radon Measurement Professional. Should elevated levels of radon be present, a mitigation system can be installed to reduce levels. Callaway & Associates, Inc. does not perform mitigation; we feel this a conflict of interest, but we will give you a list of State of Illinois Licensed Mitigation Contractors that do work in your area.
Building type
Residential
In Illinois, radon testing of a home for a real estate transaction must be performed by an IEMA Licensed Radon Measurement Professional. The minimum test period is 48 hours, but 96 hours is preferred if time is not an issue. Testing not involved in a real estate transaction is typically 96 hours and can be run for a longer duration if time is available. Test results are available within 48 hours of test completion.
In Illinois, a homeowner may test their own home if it is their place of residence. This cannot involve a real estate transaction. It is for single-family owner-occupied homes without boarders or apartments.
Multi Family
Multi- family housing units refinancing with HUD will need radon testing by a National Radon Proficiency Plan (NRPP) certified, State of Illinois Emergency Management Association Radon Measurement Professional. IEMA & HUD protocols will govern testing procedures in the State of Illinois.
Why Can Radon Levels Vary Between Illinois Homes?
Radon levels can vary significantly from one property to another, which makes testing an important consideration for homeowners throughout East Central Illinois. Radon originates naturally in the soil and can enter a building through openings in and around the foundation. Because soil composition, foundation construction, and building characteristics differ between properties, a nearby home’s results cannot reliably predict the levels inside another home.
Callaway & Associates performs licensed radon testing for residential properties throughout Tuscola and surrounding Illinois counties. Testing provides actual measurements rather than relying on the age, appearance, or construction style of a house.
This is particularly important because both newer and older homes can have elevated radon levels. Homes with basements, crawl spaces, or slab foundations can all potentially be affected. For Illinois homeowners, testing the individual property provides the information needed to understand current radon levels and determine whether additional action should be considered.
Schools & Daycare Centers
Radon Testing of schools & day cares can run a minimum of 48 hours up to a year in length. The initial testing is usually a short term 48 hour to 7 day test depending on time constraints. Floor plans and at least one site visit is needed to assess testing equipment needs. Test results are normally available within a week of test completion.
IN HOME DAYCARE
In Illinois, if you run a home daycare, you have two options to test for radon:
1) If you reside in the home, you may perform your own radon test.
2) you may hire an IEMA Licensed Measurement Professional to test your home.
Commercial
Commercial testing can run from the small retail store to mega malls and office buildings, often with multiple occupancy. Test duration for an initial test is usually 48 hours to 7 days. Follow up testing if needed is typical and generally only in areas that tested high. Test results are normally delivered within a week of test completion.
How Long Does a Professional Radon Test Take?
The amount of time required for radon testing depends partly on why the property is being tested. For a residential real estate transaction in Illinois, Callaway & Associates states that the minimum testing period is 48 hours, although a 96-hour period is preferred when the transaction timeline allows.
Radon can’t be seen or smelled, so testing is the only way to determine the level present in a particular building. Callaway & Associates uses Electret Ion Chambers (E-Perms) and Continuous Radon Monitors for professional testing and is licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency as a Radon Measurement Professional.
Testing shouldn’t be skipped simply because a neighboring property received a low result. Radon levels can vary considerably between nearby homes, making it important to test the specific property in question.
For buyers, scheduling the test early enough in the inspection period can provide time to receive the results and determine whether any additional steps are necessary.
Why Can Seasonal Conditions Affect Radon Testing?
Radon levels inside a home are not necessarily constant throughout the year. Changes in outdoor temperature, soil moisture, precipitation, heating-system use, and how frequently windows and doors remain closed can influence conditions inside a building.
East Central Illinois experiences substantial seasonal changes, including cold winters, humid summers, heavy rainfall, and periods when homes remain closed for extended amounts of time. These changing conditions are one reason homeowners should not assume an older radon result will always represent the property’s current conditions.
Callaway & Associates performs professional radon measurement using approved testing equipment and established testing procedures. Homeowners may also consider retesting after significant renovations or other changes to the property. Testing provides a measurement based on the home’s current environment, allowing decisions to be based on actual results rather than assumptions about the neighborhood, season, age of the property, or results from previous years.
