How to find a radon expert in Altoona, PA
In Altoona, 7,523 basement radon tests in PA DEP's records give a median of 2.8 pCi/L, and 39% were at or above 4 pCi/L. That's below Blair County as a whole (43%) and about level with the statewide share (37%). The median Altoona result (2.8 pCi/L) is below the 4 pCi/L line; it is still in the 2-4 pCi/L range where EPA says to consider fixing. The Blair County median is 3.2 pCi/L.
Source: computed 2026-10-11 from PA DEP's Radon Test Results (data.pa.gov, public domain), using tests with a Altoona municipality/mailing name. Counts tests, not homes, and includes repeat and post-mitigation tests.
Altoona at a glance
Share of basement tests ≥ 4 pCi/L
Get free quotes Browse all Altoona radon firms · Blair County
Altoona compared with other PA cities
Among the 33 Pennsylvania cities with guides on Radon Roster, Altoona ranks #15 by share of basement tests at or above 4 pCi/L. About 2,948 Altoona basement tests in DEP's records were at or above 4 pCi/L. A certified short-term test is a quick first step.
Nearby city guides: Johnstown · Hershey · Gettysburg · Williamsport
How to verify a Altoona radon contractor's PA DEP certification
- Check the name against DEP's current certified mitigation and testing lists in the PA DEP Radon Services Directory. The lists are updated periodically, and ours were retrieved 2026-10-11.
- Ask for the DEP certification number and photo ID. Pennsylvania requires anyone doing radon testing, mitigation or lab work for the public to be DEP-certified (25 Pa. Code Chapter 240).
- Still unsure? Call the PA DEP Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366.
Every firm listed for Altoona on Radon Roster shows its DEP IDs and a link to the source list.
Questions to ask a mitigator before you sign
- Will you do diagnostic (sub-slab suction) testing before choosing fan size and suction points?
- Where will the pipe run (inside or outside), and where will the fan and exhaust go?
- What post-mitigation level do you guarantee, and what happens if the retest is high?
- Who does the follow-up test, and is it an independent certified tester?
- What warranty covers the fan and the work, and is it transferable if I sell?
- Will you seal the sump, cracks or floor-wall joints, and is that in the quote?
Nearest certified radon firms
Nearest DEP-certified firms: 1 based in Altoona (1 mitigation), 2 elsewhere in Blair County (0 mitigation), and 4 mitigation firms in neighboring counties.
Helping Solutions LLC
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationTestingAltoona2 certified people
Helping Solutions LLC
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationTestingAddress
- 3499 Kettle Rd, Altoona, PA
- ✉ helpingsolutions@live.com
Certified individuals
- Ake, Justin (testing #2854, mitigation #2854)
- Link, Richard (testing #9075)
DEP cert IDs
Source: DEP list DEP list, retrieved 2026-10-11 · Claim, correct or remove this listing
What a typical Pennsylvania radon system install involves
Most systems use active soil depressurization (EPA Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction). The installer drills a suction point through the basement slab (or seals a crawlspace with a membrane), runs PVC pipe to an inline fan, and vents the exhaust above the roofline. Then they seal major openings and add a pressure gauge. A follow-up test should confirm the level dropped. PA DEP describes the confirm-then-mitigate steps on PA DEP: Radon in the Home.
Radon mitigation cost: what Altoona homeowners can expect
| Item | Typical range (national) |
|---|---|
| Mitigation system installed | $786-$1,274, average about $1,028 (reported range $395-$2,453) |
| Professional radon test | $150-$800 |
Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide. These are national figures, not local quotes. Prices depend on foundation type, the number of suction points and pipe routing. Try the estimate tool.
Buying or selling in Altoona? Radon timing tips
- Pennsylvania sellers must give buyers a property disclosure statement before an agreement of sale is signed. The Real Estate Commission's minimum form asks whether the seller knows of hazardous substances "including... radon" and whether the property has been tested (49 Pa. Code § 35.335a; 68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 73).
- Sellers aren't required to test, but must not hide known defects (68 Pa.C.S. § 7308).
- Real estate radon tests by certified testers follow DEP anti-tampering rules, including a signed non-interference agreement (25 Pa. Code Chapter 240). Book the test early in the inspection contingency window, because short-term tests run at least 2 days plus lab time.
- If a result is high near closing, ask certified mitigators for written quotes. Buyers and sellers often negotiate who pays for a system.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is radon common in Altoona?
In PA DEP's test records, 39% of 7,523 basement tests with a Altoona address were at or above 4 pCi/L (median 2.8 pCi/L). Results vary house to house, so only a test tells you your level.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Altoona?
We don't have Altoona-specific price data. A national cost guide puts typical installs at $786-$1,274 (average about $1,028). Get written quotes from certified local mitigators.
Do I need a radon test when buying a home in Pennsylvania?
It isn't required by state law. The seller's disclosure form asks about known radon and past testing, and many buyers order a test during the inspection period. Real estate tests by certified testers follow DEP anti-tampering rules.
How long does a radon test take?
Short-term tests run 2 to 7 days. Long-term tests run more than 90 days. PA DEP suggests confirming a high short-term result before deciding on mitigation.
How do I find a certified radon expert in Altoona, PA?
Use a firm on PA DEP's certified lists. Radon Roster lists 1 DEP-certified firms based in Altoona and 2 more in Blair County. Confirm any name in the PA DEP Radon Services Directory or call 800-237-2366.