Madison Heights sits in Amherst County, across the James River from Lynchburg. It is about 6.7 miles and a 16-minute drive from the city, and it is part of the Lynchburg metro area. If you live here and have never tested your home for radon, this page explains the basics.
Lynchburg Radon Mitigation connects callers with licensed and insured local radon testing and mitigation professionals. We are not the contractor. Call (434) 455-8258 to be connected with a local professional who can look at your home.
Why test a home in Madison Heights
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil, rock and water breaks down. You cannot see, smell or taste it. Testing is the only way to know what a particular home has.
The Virginia Department of Health reports high radon results in every Virginia county, including counties rated low risk on EPA's map. Amherst County is no exception to the idea that a single home has to be tested on its own. A neighbor's result does not tell you yours.
Homes across the area
Madison Heights has historic sites such as Fort Riverview, Galt's Mill Complex, Oak Lawn and Hanshill. It also has suburban subdivisions. Radon can enter new and old homes alike, with or without a basement, through foundation cracks, gaps around pipes, sump pits and crawl spaces.
If your home is near U.S. Route 29, or anywhere else in town, the same approach applies. EPA recommends testing all homes below the third floor.
Testing in a Virginia winter
Central Virginia winters are cool, with January averages around 36 degrees F. Windows stay shut for long stretches, which is when many people choose to test. A short-term test uses closed-house conditions and sits in the lowest lived-in level. A long-term test runs more than 90 days and better shows the year-round average.
What happens if the result is high
EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and says to consider fixing it between 2 and 4 pCi/L. A common fix is active soil depressurization. A vent pipe and fan draw radon from beneath the foundation and release it above the roof line. Crawl spaces are usually covered with a plastic membrane and vented from beneath it.
Cost depends on the foundation type, size and layout of the home. A professional gives a quote after seeing the house.
Certified professionals only
Virginia Code 32.1-229.01 requires current NRSB or NRPP certification for anyone doing professional radon testing or mitigation in the state. Ask any provider to confirm theirs. If you are buying or selling in Madison Heights, a radon test during the inspection period is a common step, and an older result may not reflect current conditions.
To talk through testing or mitigation for your home, call (434) 455-8258.