How to Mitigate Radon Gas
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that occurs naturally in all soils and can seep into homes even through solid concrete. Since long-term exposure to high concentrations of radon gas has been linked to lung cancer, removing radon gas and preventing its entry will help your family stay healthy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- concrete patching compound to repair any cracks in foundation
- concrete sealing paint to minimize radon inflow
- contractor to install sub slab pressurization system
Instructions
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Test the level of radon gas in your home. If the level of radon in your home is above the EPA's suggested limit of 4 pCi/L you should mitigate (reduce) the level of radon in your home.
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Evaluate your options based on the radon concentration in your home. There are several things you can do.
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Seal all cracks and openings in your basement walls. This will reduce the amount of radon seeping into your home, but it isn't a total cure.
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Increase the air flow through your basement (this can be as simple easy as leaving a window open and putting a fan in the basement). This will help remove concentrations of radon gas accumulating on the lower levels.
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Use a house/room pressurization system to block the entry of radon into your home. This method uses a fan to blow air into the basement. In effect, it forces the radon gas out of your home.
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Install a sub-slab pressurization system. This is considered the most effective way to mitigate against radon, but it's also the most costly. While a skilled do-it-yourselfer could install a system, often the best choice is to have a qualified contractor install the system. Depending on your style of home, an active sub-slab pressurization system will cost from $1,000 to $2,500.
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Building a sub-slab pressurization system is a 3-step process. First, collection pipes need to be installed beneath the foundation. Then, the collection pipes must be connected to a riser pipe that runs vertically from below your foundation to the top of your home. Finally, a fan actively draws the air into a collector pipes and up the vent to where it can be dispersed into the atmosphere.
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Tips & Warnings
The Environmental Protection Agency website at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html provides a wealth of information about radon gas. Searching the website under "State Radon Contacts" will provide information on radon gas detection and mitigation in your state and often lists qualified contractors.
If you install an active sub-slab pressurization system, make sure you don't turn the fan off. The fan's constant air motion is what removes the radon gas.
According to the EPA, "The exhaust pipe(s) of soil suction systems must vent above the surface of the roof and 10 feet or more above the ground, and at least 10 feet away from windows, doors, or other openings that could allow the radon to reenter the house."
