Quick answer: Davis County residents can get a free radon test through the Davis County Health Department from November through March, and the waitlist opens October 1. Test before you finish your basement. If the result is 4 pCi/L or higher, plan mitigation, or at least a sealed vent-pipe rough-in, before framing and drywall cover the slab.
Key takeaways
- The Davis County Health Department offers free radon testing to county residents from November through March. You can join the waitlist October 1 through March 31, and the wait is typically 2–6 weeks.
- Utah DEQ states that 1 in 3 Utah homes have elevated radon levels. A test is the only way to know where your house falls.
- EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or more. Utah DEQ recommends a long-term test for results between 4 and 6 pCi/L.
- The easiest time to add a radon system is before the basement is framed and drywalled, while the slab, sump and pipe routes are still exposed.
- Utah does not certify radon mitigators. Look for national certification through NRPP or NRSB.
Why should you test for radon before finishing a basement in Davis County?
Because the basement is where radon enters, and finishing it usually means more time spent down there. Testing first lets you design a fix into the project instead of tearing into new walls later.
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It moves up through the ground and into homes through slab cracks, floor-wall joints, sump pits and gaps around pipes. You cannot see it or smell it, which is why testing matters.
The health stakes are real. The EPA’s radon health-risk page says radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year and is the number-one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The Utah DEQ Radon Program states that 1 in 3 Utah homes have elevated radon levels.
Finishing also changes how a basement behaves. A bedroom, office or family room turns an occasionally visited storage space into a room where someone may sleep eight hours a night. That makes the basement reading the one that matters most for your family.
How do I get a free radon test from Davis County?
Sign up for the Davis County Health Department waitlist with your name, phone number and address. Testing runs November through March, and the department notes a typical wait of 2–6 weeks.
- Join the waitlist early. The signup window runs October 1 through March 31. Getting on the list in October gives you the best chance of having results before you lock in a spring construction schedule.
- Use the county’s form or call. The Davis County radon testing form collects your contact details. You can also call the Health Department at (801) 525-5000.
- Test the lowest lived-in level. For a basement project, that is the basement itself, even if it is unfinished today.
- Keep the house closed. Short-term tests are typically run with windows and exterior doors closed, apart from normal coming and going. Follow the instructions that come with your test.
- Save your results. Keep the report with your project paperwork. Your contractor, and a future buyer, may want to see it.
| Program detail | Davis County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free for Davis County residents |
| Testing season | November through March |
| Waitlist window | October 1 through March 31 |
| What to provide | Name, phone number and address |
| Typical wait | 2–6 weeks |
| Phone | (801) 525-5000 |
| Office | 22 S State St, Clearfield |
What if I want results sooner?
If you are on a tight schedule or outside the free season, Utah DEQ points homeowners to low-cost test kits sold online and mail-in kit instructions on its radon page. DEQ’s Radon Coordinator can be reached at (801) 536-0091.
What do my radon test results mean for my basement plans?
Results are reported in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The key number is 4 pCi/L: EPA recommends fixing a home at or above that level, and Utah DEQ uses the same threshold in its guidance.
| Your result | What Utah DEQ / EPA recommend | What it means for your basement project |
|---|---|---|
| Below 4 pCi/L | Retest every 2–5 years (DEQ) | Consider a low-cost passive rough-in anyway, since levels can change and retesting after finishing is wise. |
| 4–6 pCi/L | Long-term test recommended (DEQ); EPA says fix at 4 or more | Plan the mitigation route now. Decide with your mitigator whether to install before or right after construction. |
| Above 6 pCi/L | Consider mitigation (DEQ); fix (EPA) | Treat mitigation as part of the project scope and schedule it before drywall. |
One test is a snapshot. Radon levels move with weather, season and how the house is run, so a borderline reading deserves a second look rather than a guess.
How do I plan a radon mitigation rough-in before drywall?
Decide where the pipe will run, where the fan will sit and how the slab will be sealed, all before framing goes up. A finished basement can still get a radon system later, but doing it now avoids cutting into new walls and ceilings.
Pick the suction point and pipe route
Most systems for homes with a slab use sub-slab depressurization: a pipe pulls soil gas from under the slab and vents it above the roofline. Work with your mitigator to choose a suction point in a utility room, storage closet or under the stairs, where the pipe will not land in the middle of a bedroom.
Plan for the fan and power
The fan is normally placed outside the living space, such as in an attic or on an exterior wall. If the fan will come later, leave a clear pipe path and have an electrician provide power at the planned fan location.
Seal what the drywall will hide
- Seal visible slab cracks and the joint where the floor meets the foundation wall.
- Fit an airtight, removable lid on the sump pit so it can still be serviced.
- Seal gaps around plumbing and other penetrations through the slab.
- Leave an access panel at the system manometer and any cleanouts.
Hire a certified mitigator
Utah does not certify radon mitigators. DEQ directs homeowners to national certification lists, including the NRPP directory of certified radon professionals in Utah. Building a new addition instead? DEQ also publishes radon-resistant new construction resources.
For a full comparison of system types, read our guide to radon mitigation options for Utah basements.
What if my basement is already partly finished?
You can still test and mitigate. The work just takes more planning around existing walls and ceilings.
Test the finished space as it is used today. If you need a system, a mitigator can often route the pipe through a closet, utility room or garage, or run it outside the house. If you plan to remodel the space, it is usually simpler to time the mitigation work with demo so the pipe can be hidden inside new framing.
Radon also belongs on your pre-construction checklist next to moisture, permits and egress. Our list of common Davis County basement finishing mistakes covers the others.
Does radon testing matter in every Davis County city?
Yes. The county program serves residents across Davis County, and the only way to know a specific home’s level is to test that home.
Two houses on the same street can test very differently, so a neighbor’s result in Layton, Kaysville or Bountiful tells you little about yours. Whether you live in a newer home in Syracuse or West Point or an older home in Centerville or Farmington, the same steps apply: get on the county list, test the basement, then design the finish around the result.
The timing works well for planning. If you sign up in October, results can arrive in late fall or winter, which leaves time to pull permits and line up a contractor for spring. Permits for basement finishes are required in Davis County cities that address them, so add your radon plan to the drawings you submit. Our guide to Utah basement finishing permits explains what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is radon testing free in Davis County?
Yes. The Davis County Health Department offers free radon testing to Davis County residents from November through March. You join a waitlist by providing your name, phone number and address, and the department says the wait is typically 2–6 weeks. The signup window runs October 1 through March 31, so signing up in the fall gives you the most time to plan.
What radon level is too high for a basement?
EPA recommends fixing a home when radon is 4 pCi/L or higher. Utah DEQ says to consider mitigation above 4 pCi/L, recommends a long-term test for results between 4 and 6 pCi/L, and suggests retesting every 2–5 years for results below 4. For a basement you plan to finish, any result near 4 is worth planning around.
Should I install radon mitigation before or after finishing my basement?
Before is usually easier. With the slab, sump and framing exposed, a mitigator can choose a good suction point, seal cracks and the sump, and route pipe through future closets or utility rooms. If you finish first, the system can still be added later, but the pipe route may be more visible or require cutting into new drywall.
Does Utah certify radon mitigation contractors?
No. Utah DEQ states that the state does not certify radon mitigators. It points homeowners to national certification programs instead, including the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). Ask any mitigator which certification they hold and check it in that program’s online directory before you sign a contract.
Can I test for radon outside the November–March free season?
Yes. Utah DEQ’s radon page links to low-cost test kits sold online and to instructions for mail-in kits, so you can test any time of year. Follow the kit’s directions on closing up the house during the test. You can call DEQ’s Radon Coordinator at (801) 536-0091 with questions about testing or results.
Talk to a Davis County basement contractor
Lift Construction is based in Syracuse and finishes basements across Davis County, Weber County and Northern Utah. If you have a radon result in hand, or are waiting on one, we can help you plan the layout, permit drawings and timing around it. See our basement finishing services, send us a message, or call 801-683-6803.
Written by the Lift Construction team, led by owner and general contractor David Carter. Code and program details were checked against the official sources linked above as of October 2026 — always confirm current requirements with your city before you build.