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CEDAR RAPIDS RADON
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New-Construction Radon Systems in Cedar Rapids

New-construction radon systems in Cedar Rapids, IA for buyers and builders — Iowa's passive-system requirement, rough-in verification, and fan activation.

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Iowa's July 2026 requirement, in plain terms

Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa's state building code requires covered new single- or two-family residential construction to include a passive radon-mitigation method from Appendix AF of the 2021 International Residential Code. The requirement applies to covered construction commenced after adoption. A passive system has no fan; it provides the pipe and sub-slab pathway needed for later fan activation if testing shows activation is necessary.

CHECKED · JUL 24 2026 Source: Iowa HHS — Radon Resources, Radon-Resistant New Construction section; checked July 24, 2026.

What a proper rough-in includes

Under the slab: a gas-permeable layer (typically clean aggregate) or a suction pit, with sub-slab penetrations sealed. Through the house: a continuous labeled vent pipe from the slab to a discharge above the roof, routed so a fan can be installed in the attic or outside the living space — never in or below it. Plus an electrical junction near the future fan location. When any of these pieces is missing or the pipe dead-ends, the "rough-in" is a label, not a system, and verifying that is part of the request.

Buyers: test first, then decide

A new home with a passive system still gets tested after occupancy, with the house operating normally. If the result is below EPA's action guidance, keep the result as a baseline record. If it is elevated, follow the applicable confirmation guidance and have the passive system evaluated for fan activation; radon testing in Cedar Rapids is where that decision starts.

Builders and contractors

Requests from builders — rough-in installation on upcoming builds, verification of subcontracted rough-ins, or activation packages for buyers — go through the same intake. Describe the number of units, the construction stage, and the timeline, and the provider confirms scope and terms.

Frequently asked questions

Does my new Iowa home already have a radon system?

If construction on a covered single- or two-family home commenced after Iowa's requirement took effect on July 1, 2026, the state building code requires a passive radon-mitigation method. Homes built earlier may also have a passive system. Look for a labeled vent pipe running from beneath the foundation through the roof, without an in-line fan.

Is a passive system enough, or do I still need a fan?

A passive system relies on natural stack effect and may or may not hold levels below 4 pCi/L. The only way to know is to test after moving in. If the result is elevated, adding a fan (activation) converts the passive stack to an active system using the pipe that is already in place.

What is a radon rough-in?

A rough-in is the buried portion installed during construction: a gas-permeable layer or suction pit under the slab, sealed sub-slab penetrations, and a capped or continuous vertical pipe routed up through the house — plus an attic electrical junction so a fan can be added without rewiring.

Who can activate a passive system in Iowa?

Adding the fan is mitigation work, and Iowa requires a state mitigation credential for that work when performed for hire. Activation also includes verifying the original rough-in actually draws from under the slab, then retesting.

Request new-construction radon work

Call (319) 391-7051Request Service