Radon Testing in Bismarck–Mandan, ND
The only way to know your radon level is to test, and in the Bismarck–Mandan area you can start for free. Here is how to test properly, which kit to pick and what to do with the number.
- Free, no-obligation radon quotes
- Serving Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln
- Testing help and mitigation systems
- Winter-ready advice for North Dakota basements
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Fastest: call (701) 402-5374
Free detectors from two local libraries
The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library at 515 N 5th St lends digital radon detectors for 14 days at no charge. The program started in June 2025 with UND's School of Medicine & Health Sciences and the American Cancer Society.
Across the river, the Morton Mandan Public Library runs a similar loan with Western Plains Public Health (701-667-3370). It is open to residents of Morton, Grant, Mercer, Oliver and Sioux counties. The North Dakota DEQ's own free kit giveaway was out of stock when we last checked in October 2026, so the libraries are the best free option right now.
Why a winter test is the right test here
North Dakota's DEQ calls the cold months "a great time to test." Windows and doors stay shut, the furnace runs, and warm air rising through the house pulls soil gas in through the basement. January is National Radon Action Month, which is why the free kits usually appear then.
Put the detector in the lowest lived-in level, usually the basement, away from drafts and the sump pit. Keep the house closed up as normal for the whole test.
Short-term or long-term test
A short-term kit runs two to seven days and costs roughly $10–$30 at a hardware store. It is fine for a first answer or a home sale. A long-term test runs 90 days or more and shows your real average through a Bismarck winter and spring thaw.
A professional continuous-monitor test is a national price range of about $150–$800, and often about $150 when added to a home inspection. Those figures are national, since local installers do not publish prices.
What your number means
The EPA says to fix a home at 4 pCi/L or above and to consider fixing between 2 and 4. The average US home is about 1.3 pCi/L. In the state's 1987–88 survey, the highest Burleigh County reading was 32.1 pCi/L and the highest in Morton County was 32.6.
One high test is a reason to confirm with a second test, not to panic. If it holds above 4, ask for a radon mitigation quote.
Where we offer radon testing
Frequently asked questions
Can I test for radon for free in Bismarck?
Yes. The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library lends digital detectors for 14 days. Mandan and Morton County residents can borrow one from the Morton Mandan Public Library.
Where do I put the radon test in a Bismarck house?
On the lowest level you use, such as a finished basement, in the main living space, a few feet off the floor and away from the sump pit, vents and exterior doors.
Ready to get it done?
Call now for a free quote from a local radon testing and mitigation pro.
Call (701) 402-5374