For many homeowners, the word “radon” prompts this reaction: Isn’t that just a basement thing? It’s a common assumption. And while radon does tend to sequester in a home’s lower levels, it is not always contained to the basement — especially in Pennsylvania.
If you live in Phoenixville or the local vicinity, you need to be aware of how radon behaves from its beginning point in your basement to the end of its journey on the second floor because that knowledge will help safeguard both your family and home. Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell or simply stay put, with a sense of where to test and when to act.
Let’s break it down.
What exactly is radon and why should you care?
Health officials say radon is a radioactive gas that occurs in nature from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It is colorless, odorless and entirely invisible, easy to ignore until it creates a serious hazard to health.
Radon seeps into your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pumps and even concrete pores. Once indoors, it can accumulate to dangerous levels, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces. Many homeowners rely on an inspection company to assess potential risks because radon often goes unnoticed until levels become unsafe.
And yes, Phoenixville, like much of Pennsylvania, is in an area with high radon potential.
Why basements are the main problem area
Since radon emanates from the soil, this is where it would enter your basement first. It is the lowest level of a house, and so it’s closest to smells; also, it typically has less natural ventilation than other rooms.
But here’s the catch: just because radon comes in through a basement doesn’t mean it can be contained there.
Warm air rising through the house can draw radon up into upper floors. If the home isn’t sealed or ventilated properly, those radon levels can follow the air upward — especially in winter months when homes are sealed tight.
Inquire about home inspection services
Looking for a reliable home inspection service in Newtown Square, West Chester, Paoli, and nearby areas? Look no further than Batten to Beam! I conduct a thorough evaluation of specific areas such as foundations inspections, termites inspections, radon inspections, or sewer lateral inspections. Trust Batten to Beam for your home inspection needs
Are upper floors safe? Not always.
How many times have you heard homeowners say, “We never use the basement so we’re not worried”?
That’s a dangerous assumption.
It’s true that radon levels generally peak in a home’s basement, but that’s no guarantee your first floor or any floors above are in the clear. In reality, first- and second-floor radon levels have been found to be high enough in some cases to reach unsafe levels — especially if the radon concentration downstairs is sufficiently high.
That is why we encourage to always test more than just one floor. If your family spends most of your time upstairs — and especially in bedroom, the living room or home offices — you should know that the air up there is breathable.
How radon testing works
A professional radon inspection involves placing specialized monitors in your home, for a period—for example, 48 hours. The devices measure the air’s average radon level to decide if mitigation is necessary.
At Batten to Beam, we often place detectors in both the basement and a primary living area — especially in homes where the basement is unfinished or rarely used. This helps you get a better sense for the actual exposure risks you encounter in your daily life.
And while short-term testing can offer a snapshot, long-term radon testing (90 days or longer) gives an even better sense of what is going on in your home over seasons.
What if you’re buying or selling?
If you are in the process of a real estate sale or purchase in Phoenixville or surrounding areas such as West Chester and Media, then radon testing should be on your list.
Buyers want peace of mind. Sellers don’t want surprises. Ordering a radon inspection at the time of the sale prevents last-minute negotiation problems or expensive delays. And it helps you appear to be a responsible, transparent seller which means a lot in such a competitive market.
If you’re a buyer, especially coming from a different state, know this: radon testing in Philadelphia and surrounding counties is highly recommended, if not expected. Pennsylvania is one of the few states where radon testing is considered routine during real estate transactions — because the risk is real.
What if levels come back high?
If your radon levels exceed 4.0 pCi/L (the EPA’s action level), it’s time to install a mitigation system. These systems use fans and vent pipes to pull radon from beneath your home and safely release it outside. They’re effective, quiet, and can be installed in less than a day.
At Batten to Beam Inspections, we don’t install mitigation systems — so you can trust that our guidance is unbiased. If radon is present, we’ll help you understand your options and refer you to qualified local professionals.
Final thoughts: test smarter, not just once
The biggest takeaway? Don’t assume that radon is only a basement issue.
If your family lives, sleeps, and plays on the upper levels of your home, you deserve to know what’s in the air there too. A quick test could reveal elevated radon levels where you least expect them.
Schedule your radon inspection today
Whether you’re planning a sale, moving into a new home, or just want to breathe a little easier, Batten to Beam Inspections offers reliable, certified radon testing in Philadelphia, Phoenixville, and surrounding towns.
We make the process easy, professional, and precise — no guesswork, just clarity.
Call Batten to Beam Inspections or call us to schedule a radon inspection today. Because safe air shouldn’t be a question. It should be a given.
