That doesn't mean every Exeter house has a problem, and it doesn't mean a house that tested fine years ago still does. It means that if you own or are buying a home here and it hasn't been tested recently, the odds favor finding out.
What Exeter owners should do
- Test. A short-term test takes two to four days. A long-term test of 90 days or more shows the year-round average. Place it on the lowest lived-in level, at least 20 inches off the floor, away from windows and doors. More on testing.
- Don't rely on a neighbor's result. Levels vary from one house to the next.
- Retest every three to five years, and after finishing a basement or putting on an addition.
Wells are the norm here
Much of Exeter is rural and many homes are on private wells. Radon can come in through well water as well as through the ground. Rhode Island has no standard for radon in private well water, so testing is the owner's call. If your air result is high, it's worth asking about the water. See radon in well water.
If the number is high
A mitigation system installed by a Rhode Island licensed radon mitigation contractor is the standard fix. Test again once it's running to confirm the level came down.
Buying in Exeter
Given the town's results, a radon test belongs on every buyer's inspection list. See radon and home sales.