Forest is a fast-growing suburb in eastern Bedford County, about 10.9 miles and a 19-minute drive from Lynchburg. If you live here and have never tested your home for radon, this page explains the basics. When you are ready, call (434) 455-8258 and you will be connected with licensed and insured local radon testing and mitigation professionals.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. You cannot see, smell or taste it, so a test is the only way to know what is in your home.
Why testing matters in Forest
Forest has many subdivisions, and homes have been added along U.S. Route 221 (Forest Road) since it was widened to four lanes in 2009. Radon does not depend on a home's age or style. The Virginia Department of Health says high results have been found in every Virginia county, including counties marked low risk on EPA's map.
So a newer house in a subdivision off Forest Road can have a radon problem just as an older house can. Homes with a basement, a slab or a crawl space can all be affected.
Closed-up homes in cool months
Central Virginia has cool winters, with January averaging about 36 degrees F. Many families keep windows shut for weeks. A short-term test uses closed-house conditions, with windows and outside doors kept closed except for normal coming and going. It goes in the lowest lived-in level of the home.
What mitigation usually involves
EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and says to consider fixing it between 2 and 4 pCi/L. The most common method is active soil depressurization. A vent pipe and fan draw radon from beneath the foundation and release it above the roof line. For a crawl space, the ground is usually covered with a plastic membrane and vented from beneath it.
Sealing cracks alone is not what EPA recommends. It is used as one part of a full system. Cost depends on the foundation type, size and layout, so a professional gives a quote after looking at the home.
Certified professionals
Virginia law requires anyone doing professional radon testing or mitigation to hold current NRSB or NRPP certification. The professionals you are connected with are licensed and insured local contractors, and you can ask about their certification before work begins.
Buying, selling and retesting
Radon tests are often done during the inspection period of a home sale. A result from a previous owner may not reflect current conditions, especially after renovations. After a system is installed, EPA recommends retesting, then retesting about every two years.
If you live in Forest or nearby in Bedford County and want to start with a test, call (434) 455-8258 to talk through your options.