If you've searched "radon testing Ankeny" or "Des Moines radon Urbandale," you're probably staring at a home inspection report or a test kit you just picked up. Ankeny, Urbandale, Altoona, and the wider Des Moines metro don't get a pass on radon just because they're suburban and newer than the farmhouses down the road -- the geology underneath the whole metro is the reason Iowa consistently posts some of the highest indoor radon readings in the country.
Do Ankeny, Urbandale, and Altoona Have High Radon Levels?
Yes. Ankeny, Urbandale, and Altoona all sit in Polk County, which -- like nearly every county in Iowa -- falls into the EPA's Radon Zone 1, the agency's highest radon-potential category on its Map of Radon Zones. That designation isn't about any one neighborhood; it's about the soil underneath the entire metro.
The reason traces back to glaciation. Much of central Iowa, including Polk and Dallas Counties, is covered in glacial till left behind by the Wisconsinan glaciation -- a mix of crushed rock and sediment that happens to be rich in uranium-bearing minerals. As that uranium decays underground, it produces radon gas, which moves up through soil pores and foundation cracks into basements and slab-level living space, especially once the stack effect from furnaces and closed windows starts pulling air (and soil gas) indoors. For a deeper look at how this plays out county by county, see our breakdown of Iowa county radon data and why Iowa leads the nation in indoor radon.
How Much Does Radon Testing Cost in the Des Moines Metro?
A short-term DIY radon test kit is inexpensive and widely available; a professional test using a continuous radon monitor costs more but is often required for real estate transactions in Ankeny, Urbandale, Altoona, and West Des Moines because it's harder to tamper with and produces a defensible report.
Many county health departments and the Iowa radon program periodically distribute low-cost or free short-term test kits, especially during January Radon Action Month -- see our guide on where to find free radon test kits in Iowa. Professional testing during a home sale typically runs longer (48-96 hours minimum) because closed-house conditions have to be maintained the entire time for the result to be valid.
What Does Radon Mitigation Cost in Polk and Dallas Counties?
Mitigation system cost in Ankeny, Urbandale, Altoona, Johnston, and Waukee follows the same statewide range as the rest of Iowa -- the equipment, permitting, and labor for an active soil depressurization system don't meaningfully change from one Polk or Dallas County suburb to the next.
What does change the price is the house itself: a slab-on-grade home, a basement with a sump pit, and a home with multiple foundation types (common in split-level suburban builds) each require different pipe routing and sometimes more than one suction point. One detail most homeowners never hear until they're mid-quote: the in-line fan that powers the system runs continuously, 24 hours a day, and typically draws somewhere in the range of a household light bulb's worth of electricity -- a small ongoing cost compared to the health tradeoff. For full pricing detail, our statewide radon mitigation cost guide breaks down upfront and monthly numbers, and our explainer on how active sub-slab depressurization systems work covers the actual hardware.
Why Do Newer Homes in Ankeny or Waukee Still Need Radon Testing?
New construction doesn't guarantee low radon, because building codes control energy efficiency and moisture, not soil gas. A tightly sealed new build in Ankeny or Waukee can trap radon just as effectively as an older home, especially if it has an unfinished passive vent stack that was never activated with a fan.
Some new construction in the metro includes a passive radon-resistant rough-in -- a capped vertical pipe run from the slab to the roofline, installed during framing in case a fan is ever needed. On its own, a passive stack with no fan often isn't enough to meaningfully lower radon; it needs a fan added and a follow-up test to confirm it's actually depressurizing the soil beneath the slab. Whether a new home in your subdivision includes this rough-in at all varies by municipality and builder, so ask directly and don't assume it's there -- and definitely don't assume it's active.
When Is the Best Time to Test for Radon in Iowa?
Winter is generally the best time to test for radon in Iowa, because closed windows, running furnaces, and the stack effect pull more soil gas indoors, producing the highest and most representative reading. EPA guidance calls for closed-house conditions for at least 12 hours before starting a short-term test.
Practical setup matters as much as timing:
- Close windows and exterior doors except for normal entry and exit for 12 hours before and during the test.
- Place the test device in the lowest level of the home that's regularly lived in, not a rarely used crawlspace or utility closet.
- Keep the device away from drafts, exterior walls, direct sunlight, and HVAC vents.
- Avoid running only exhaust fans (bathroom fans, kitchen hoods) for extended periods during the test window, since they can skew airflow.
Who Installs Radon Mitigation Systems in Ankeny, Urbandale, and the Metro?
Radon mitigation in Iowa can only legally be performed by state-certified professionals. Iowa Code chapter 136B establishes the state's radon program and requires anyone who tests or mitigates radon for hire to hold current certification through the state radon program before doing the work.
That certification requirement, plus adherence to national ANSI/AARST installation standards, is exactly why homeowners shouldn't treat mitigation as a handyman project -- pipe placement, fan sizing, and vent termination height above the roofline are all standardized for a reason: to keep radon-laden exhaust away from windows and living space. The licensed operators in our network carry this state certification and install to the AARST radon mitigation standards, whether the job is a straightforward slab home in Urbandale or a multi-foundation split-level in Altoona.
This article is educational and does not replace a site-specific radon test or a licensed radon professional's evaluation of your property. Radon levels vary house to house even on the same street; always test your specific home before making mitigation or real estate decisions, and confirm any local disclosure or permitting requirements with your municipality.