How to find a radon expert in Reading, PA
In Reading, 21,235 basement radon tests in PA DEP's records give a median of 3.8 pCi/L, and 49% were at or above 4 pCi/L. That's close to Berks County as a whole (51%) and above the statewide share (37%). The median Reading result (3.8 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 Berks County median is 4.0 pCi/L.
Source: computed 2026-10-11 from PA DEP's Radon Test Results (data.pa.gov, public domain), using tests with a Reading municipality/mailing name. Counts tests, not homes, and includes repeat and post-mitigation tests.
Reading at a glance
Share of basement tests ≥ 4 pCi/L
Get free quotes Browse all Reading radon firms · Berks County
Reading compared with other PA cities
Among the 33 Pennsylvania cities with guides on Radon Roster, Reading ranks #8 by share of basement tests at or above 4 pCi/L. About 10,411 Reading 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: Harrisburg · Lancaster · Stroudsburg · Easton
How to verify a Reading 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 Reading on Radon Roster shows its DEP IDs and a link to the source list.
Questions to ask a mitigator before you sign
- 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?
- Is a system monitor (manometer or alarm) included so I can see the fan is working?
- Do you carry liability insurance, and will you put the full scope in writing?
- What is your PA DEP certification number, and will you show your DEP photo ID? (Certified people must show it on request under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 240.)
- 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?
Nearest certified radon firms
Nearest DEP-certified firms: 2 based in Reading (0 mitigation), 7 elsewhere in Berks County (4 mitigation), and 21 mitigation firms in neighboring counties.
Podolecki, Piotr
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationAlburtis1 certified person
Podolecki, Piotr
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationAddress
- 11 Timber Dr, Alburtis, PA
- ✉ radongone@ymail.com
Certified individuals
- Podolecki, Piotr (mitigation #2885)
DEP cert IDs
Source: DEP list, retrieved 2026-10-11 · Claim, correct or remove this listing
Rogers, Keith
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationDouglassville1 certified person
Rogers, Keith
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationAddress
- 305 Cameron Dr, Douglassville, PA
- ✉ supremeradon@gmail.com
Certified individuals
- Rogers, Keith (mitigation #3540)
DEP cert IDs
Source: DEP list, retrieved 2026-10-11 · Claim, correct or remove this listing
S. J. Watras Inc
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationBoyertown1 certified person
S. J. Watras Inc
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationAddress
- 32 Indian Ln, Boyertown, PA
- ✉ sjwatras@cocast.net
Certified individuals
- Cameron, Paul (mitigation #7579)
DEP cert IDs
Source: DEP list, retrieved 2026-10-11 · Claim, correct or remove this listing
S. J. Watras, Inc.
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationTestingBoyertown3 certified people
S. J. Watras, Inc.
✓ PA DEP certifiedMitigationTestingAddress
- 32 Indian Ln, Boyertown, PA
- ✉ sjwatras@comcast.net
Certified individuals
- Berry, James (mitigation #7580)
- Watras, Michael (mitigation #7111)
- Watras, Stanley J. (testing #1056, mitigation #1056)
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 Reading 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 Reading? 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
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 Reading, PA?
Use a firm on PA DEP's certified lists. Radon Roster lists 2 DEP-certified firms based in Reading and 7 more in Berks County. Confirm any name in the PA DEP Radon Services Directory or call 800-237-2366.
Is radon common in Reading?
In PA DEP's test records, 49% of 21,235 basement tests with a Reading address were at or above 4 pCi/L (median 3.8 pCi/L). Results vary house to house, so only a test tells you your level.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Reading?
We don't have Reading-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.