Chino Valley sits on State Route 89 in Little Chino Valley, at about 4,750 feet. It is about 16.8 miles and roughly a 24-minute drive from Prescott. If you own a home here and have never tested it, this page explains what testing and mitigation involve.
Prescott Radon connects callers with licensed and insured local radon testing and mitigation professionals. We are not the contractor. Call (928) 582-8914 and we will point you to someone who serves the town.
Why test a home in Chino Valley
Radon is a radioactive gas formed when uranium in soil, rock and water breaks down. You cannot see, smell or taste it, so a test is the only way to learn what is in your home. EPA recommends testing every home below the third floor.
This is a town of 13,020 people (2020), with homes of many ages. Radon does not follow a building style. A test tells you more than the age of the house or the type of foundation can.
Testing and what the numbers mean
Results are given in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and suggests you consider fixing it between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
A short-term test stays in place for 2 to 90 days. A long-term test stays longer than 90 days and better shows the year-round average. Arizona days and nights can differ by nearly 30 degrees in the Prescott area, and the monsoon changes the weather from July to September. A longer test can help show how a home behaves across those shifts.
How mitigation works
For many homes, a professional installs active soil depressurization. A vent pipe and fan pull radon from under the foundation and release it above the roofline. A crawl space is usually covered with a plastic membrane and vented from beneath it.
EPA does not recommend sealing cracks as the only fix. Sealing can be one part of a larger system. After installation, retest to confirm the result, and plan to test again every two years or so.
Wells, sales and renovations
If your home uses a private well, radon can also be released into the air when water runs. Well water is tested separately from air. For most homes, radon in the air is the larger concern.
Buyers and sellers often schedule radon testing in the inspection period. A previous owner's result may not match today's conditions, especially after a remodel.
Choosing a professional
Arizona has no state radon certification program. EPA recommends a nationally certified professional, such as one credentialed through the National Radon Proficiency Program or the National Radon Safety Board. Cost depends on the foundation, size and layout, so a professional gives a quote after looking at the home.
To start in Chino Valley, call (928) 582-8914.