HomeRadon planning for new construction

Plan early, test after

Radon planning for new construction

Radon-resistant features are easier to coordinate before concrete and finishes, but they do not prove a finished Des Moines home has a low radon level. The occupied building still needs testing, and converting a passive system to active mitigation is credentialed work in Iowa.

01

Coordinate before close-in

Discuss the gas-permeable layer, soil-gas collection, penetrations, vent route, future fan location, electrical provision, roof discharge, labeling, and how additions or multiple foundations affect the plan.

02

Passive is not a measured result

A passive pipe relies on natural movement; an active system adds an in-line fan. Neither label substitutes for a radon test under appropriate conditions after construction.

03

Activation and modification

Current Iowa rules effective July 1, 2026 state that conversion of a passive system to active, and modifications to an existing active system, must be performed by credentialed persons.

Primary sources

Claims checked August 2, 2026. Guidance can change; confirm the current source before acting.