"Kansas is a Zone 1 high-radon state. The only way to know if a Wichita-area home has elevated radon levels is to test for it — and Imperial Home Inspections has the equipment and experience to deliver accurate results."
Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. It enters homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around service pipes, sump pump openings, and other foundation penetrations — and it accumulates in enclosed spaces, particularly basements and lower levels of the home.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers. The EPA estimates that radon causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.
The EPA classifies the entire state of Kansas as a Zone 1 high-radon state, meaning the predicted average indoor radon level is above the federal action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Sedgwick County, along with the surrounding Wichita metropolitan area, sits squarely within this high-risk zone.
You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. There is no "safe" assumption based on a home's age, style, or location within Wichita. Two homes side-by-side can have completely different radon levels. The only way to know is to test.
Rob Shannon has been performing radon testing alongside home inspections for years as part of Imperial Home Inspections' specialty services. Combined with his 31 years of professional inspection experience, you get accurate, professional radon assessment paired with practical, no-pressure recommendations on what to do if elevated levels are detected.
Radon testing follows EPA-recommended protocols using a precision continuous radon monitor that runs for a minimum of 48 hours to ensure accurate measurement. Results are delivered together with your home inspection report so you have everything you need to make an informed decision before closing.
If your home tests above the 4.0 pCi/L EPA action level, don't panic — radon mitigation systems are common, effective, and typically affordable. Most mitigation systems involve installing a sub-slab depressurization system that vents radon gas safely outside the home. Rob can refer you to qualified Wichita-area radon mitigation contractors so you can address elevated levels before closing.
The EPA's national radon zone map ranks every U.S. county on a scale of 1 to 3 based on predicted indoor radon levels — with Zone 1 representing the highest risk. Every county in Kansas, including Sedgwick County and the entire Wichita metropolitan area, is classified as Zone 1.
Local radon surveys conducted across Sedgwick County have consistently shown that a substantial percentage of homes tested have radon levels at or above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. The variation between homes is significant — even properties on the same street can have very different radon concentrations based on soil composition, foundation condition, ventilation, and dozens of other factors.
For Wichita-area home buyers, this means radon testing is not optional. It's one of the most important — and most affordable — additional services any inspection client can request. A $150 radon test today can prevent decades of unknown exposure to a known cause of lung cancer.
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector with 31 years of experience and the equipment, knowledge, and care to deliver accurate radon results.
Three decades of professional inspection experience across Wichita and Sedgwick County.
Testing follows EPA-recommended protocols with precision continuous radon monitors.
Minimum 48-hour test cycle ensures accurate, reliable measurement of radon levels.
Not a franchise — a local, independent inspector who knows Kansas radon zones.
Call Rob today • InterNACHI Certified • 31+ Years Experience • Serving Wichita & Sedgwick County