Casselton is about 20 miles west of Fargo along I-94, a small town surrounded by some of the most productive farmland in the Red River Valley. Its housing includes older homes near Main Street and farmhouses on the surrounding section roads, many of them added onto over the decades. Those older and mixed foundations are where radon systems take the most thought.
Fieldstone and block basements
Some older Casselton-area homes have fieldstone or concrete block basements, sometimes with a partial dirt floor or a "Michigan basement" corner. Each joint and gap is a potential entry point for soil gas. A system for this kind of basement may include:
- covering bare soil with a sealed membrane and drawing suction under it,
- sealing the floor-wall joint and large gaps,
- sealing the open top of block walls,
- more than one suction point tied into a single fan.
This takes more labor than a modern poured basement, so expect a higher quote. Ask the installer to explain each part in writing.
Farmhouses with additions
A farmhouse might have a basement under the original house, a crawl space under a kitchen addition, and a slab under a mudroom or attached garage. Soil gas under one may not connect to the others. The installer needs to see all of it; mention every addition you know about when you request a quote.
Testing a house you spend time in
Place the test on the lowest level you use regularly. If the basement is only for storage, test the main floor, though many families test both to understand the house. Winter, when the house is closed up and the furnace is running, gives a conservative short-term reading. If you're not sure what the number means, see our test results guide.
Wells and water
Rural homes on private wells can get some radon from water, released when you shower or run the dishwasher. In most homes, soil gas is the larger source, so test the air first and fix that. Water treatment is a separate job.
Travel and scheduling
Installers based in Fargo-Moorhead regularly work in Casselton, but some charge a trip fee for rural addresses, and winter roads can affect scheduling. Ask about both when you get a quote.
Get a quote
Send your ZIP, your test result if you have one, and a short description of your foundation. One certified professional who covers Casselton will follow up. See the cost guide for typical ranges.
Common questions
Can an old fieldstone basement be mitigated?
Usually, yes, though it takes more sealing and sometimes membrane work over bare soil. The result should be confirmed with a follow-up test.
Is there a trip charge for rural Casselton homes?
Some installers charge one for addresses outside the metro. Ask so it is written into the quote.
Should I test my farm shop?
Only if someone spends many hours there. Homes are the priority, especially bedrooms and the lowest lived-in level.