How bad is radon in the Des Moines metro?

The Des Moines metro sits squarely within the worst radon state in the country, so buyers in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, and Altoona should assume elevated radon is more likely than not until a test proves otherwise. Statewide, the Iowa DNR estimates about five in ten Iowa homes exceed the EPA action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter, the highest rate in the nation, and the metro's glacial soils are exactly the kind that generate the gas. It does not matter whether the home is a 1920s Beaverdale brick house or a brand-new Waukee build; new construction can test high because tight envelopes trap soil gas, and older homes leak it in through sump pits, floor cracks, and block walls. Two identical houses next door to each other can produce very different numbers, which is why we test the specific home rather than rely on neighborhood data. Radon testing is available as an add-on. When added, we place a continuous radon monitor for a minimum of 48 hours under closed-house conditions, usually running concurrently with the inspection so it never delays your timeline, and the results are delivered with your report. If the result is elevated, mitigation is a routine, effective fix that is commonly negotiated with the seller. Add radon testing when you book; in this metro, skipping it is the one shortcut we advise against most strongly.