Radon Mitigation in Jamestown
Moderate radon risk from glaciated Appalachian Plateau geology near the Ohio border. Jamestown sits in the Pymatuning lowland where Wisconsinan glacial deposits of variable thickness overlie Mississippian and Devonian shale. The Pymatuning Reservoir area's flat topography means glacial till is generally thicker here than on surrounding uplands, providing more buffer — but localized thin spots near Shenango River tributaries can produce elevated readings.
Moderate Radon Risk Area
Jamestown sits in EPA Zone 2 — testing is recommended for every home regardless of age or foundation type.
Local Geology & Risk Factors
Jamestown is located in an area with Appalachian Plateau / Glaciated Pymatuning Lowland geology, which contributes to elevated radon levels. The Pennsylvania DEP identifies this region as having significant radon potential due to uranium-bearing rock formations.
Testing is essential because radon levels can vary significantly between neighboring homes based on construction, soil permeability, and ventilation.
See Pennsylvania radon levels and EPA radon zone classifications →
Quick Facts
- Median home value: $86,900 · Median year built: 1951
- Population: 709
- Foundation types: Basement (predominant in rural homes); Crawlspace (lake-area seasonal conversions); Block foundation
Mercer County Context
Jamestown is a municipality of Mercer County, EPA Zone 2. Zone designation is assigned at the county level, so Jamestown inherits its classification; countywide aggregate figures live on the county page.
See Mercer County radon aggregate data →Measured Radon Data for Jamestown
Source: PA DEP RadonZip Tool, January 1990 – December 2025 · Updated 2026-05-20
Radon Mitigation Cost in Jamestown
Active sub-slab depressurization (ASD) systems in Jamestown typically cost $825–$2,100. Standard basement installs on modern poured concrete fall at the lower end; historic foundations, block-wall depressurization, multi-point suction, and crawlspace encapsulation push costs higher.
Foundations covered locally
- Basement (predominant in rural homes)
- Crawlspace (lake-area seasonal conversions)
- Block foundation
Systems used in the region
- Active sub-slab depressurization
- Sub-membrane depressurization (crawlspace)
- Sump encapsulation
Certification & Compliance
All Pennsylvania radon testing and mitigation professionals must hold active PA DEP certification. Ask any contractor for their certification number and verify it before signing.
Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. §§ 7301–7315) requires sellers to disclose known material defects to buyers under § 7303; the mandated disclosure form records radon under § 7304(b)(14). Sellers who have never tested are not compelled to test — § 7308 imposes no affirmative duty to investigate — but pre-listing testing is standard practice across most PA markets.
Under 25 Pa. Code § 240 — the Pennsylvania chapter governing radon certification — every radon service provider working in the Commonwealth must hold current DEP certification. Verify the contractor's status via the DEP Radon Services Directory before hiring.
Verify Contractor Certification — PA DEP Official Directory for Jamestown, Mercer County
View PA DEP Certified Contractor DirectoryThe PA Department of Environmental Protection maintains the official list of certified radon testers and mitigators, sorted by county and updated monthly. Always verify certification before hiring any contractor.
Directory resource provided by PA DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection, Radon Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pymatuning Reservoir area geology affect radon in Jamestown?
The Pymatuning lowland has generally thicker glacial till than surrounding uplands, which provides more buffer between fractured bedrock and home foundations. However, till thickness varies significantly — areas near Shenango River tributaries and glacial drainage channels can have thin deposits where fractured Mississippian shale is close to the surface. Individual home testing is the only way to determine local risk.
Do converted seasonal homes near Pymatuning need radon testing?
Yes. Seasonal homes converted to year-round residences near Pymatuning Reservoir often have non-standard foundations — pier foundations, partial crawlspaces, or shallow block walls — that may allow radon entry through pathways different from standard basements. Winterization and insulation improvements that tighten the building envelope can actually increase indoor radon by reducing natural ventilation.
What does radon mitigation cost in Jamestown?
Jamestown area radon mitigation typically costs $825–$2,100. Converted seasonal homes may require non-standard system designs. The lower cost range reflects the area's smaller average home sizes. Request quotes from DEP-certified Mercer County contractors.
What's the average radon level in Jamestown?
Jamestown's DEP-recorded basement average is 5.24 pCi/L across 114 tests. The EPA action level for mitigation is 4.0 pCi/L, so a sizable share of Jamestown homes exceed the threshold. The highest single result in the local dataset is 52.2 pCi/L.
Do homes in Jamestown need to be tested for radon?
Mercer County is EPA Zone 2, meaning the county has moderate radon potential and elevated readings are common enough that all Jamestown homes should be tested. Short-term charcoal or continuous monitor tests take 48–96 hours and cost $15–$50; long-term alpha-track tests run 90 days and better represent annual averages. If the result meets or exceeds 4.0 pCi/L, mitigation by a DEP-certified professional is recommended.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Jamestown?
Active sub-slab depressurization (ASD) systems in the Jamestown area typically cost $825–$2,100. Standard basement installations on modern poured-concrete foundations fall at the lower end; historic foundations, block-wall depressurization, multi-point suction, and crawlspace encapsulation push costs toward the upper end. All work must be performed by a DEP-certified mitigation professional under 25 Pa. Code § 240.
Is radon disclosure required when selling a home in Jamestown?
Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. §§ 7301–7315) requires residential sellers to disclose known material defects to buyers (§ 7303). The state-mandated disclosure form covers 'presence of hazardous substances' at § 7304(b)(14) — where any known elevated radon test result or existing mitigation system is recorded. Sellers who have never tested are not required to test: § 7308 imposes no affirmative duty to investigate. In Jamestown, the practical reality is that most buyers request radon testing during the inspection contingency period. Sellers who test and mitigate before listing eliminate the most common contract contingency and preserve negotiating position.
Which ZIP codes does the Jamestown radon data cover?
The Jamestown radon dataset on this page covers ZIP code 16134. These are the ZCTAs assigned to Jamestown in the Census 2020 ZCTA-to-Place relationship file and used for the PA DEP RadonZip Tool aggregation. Neighboring ZIP codes belong to adjacent municipalities and appear on their own PA Radon Hub pages.
Are Jamestown Area School District buildings subject to SB 760?
Mercer County is in EPA Zone 2 and is served by 14 school districts, including Jamestown Area School District. Pennsylvania Senate Bill 760, if enacted as drafted, would apply to all public school buildings in Mercer County regardless of which district operates them. The bill remains in committee. Buildings in Zone 2 counties like Mercer County would be included in the proposed framework. If SB 760 is enacted, mitigation timelines, thresholds, and qualifying buildings would be set by the final bill text and any subsequent DEP implementing regulations. PA Radon Hub tracks this legislation; specific deadlines remain pending.
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