How to Clear Your House of Radon
Radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that cannot be seen. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it can build up in your house and create a dangerous threat to human health. Two methods of radon removal, also called radon mitigation, include preventing radon gas from entering your home and venting it after it has already entered. According to home improvement expert Bob Vila, the best way to get rid of radon is by combining the prevention and venting methods. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prevention
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Seal any cracks in the foundation or gaps around utility pipes to prevent the gas from entering your home. This can be difficult because some cracks are extremely small and the normal settling of your house can reopen old cracks or cause new ones.
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2
Open outside doors and windows allowing outdoor air to mix with inside air which will lower radon levels. However, this is only a temporary fix since the radon concentration will probably return to its previous level when you close the doors and windows.
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3
Provide proper air intake and exhaust for appliances such as clothes dryers and furnaces.
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4
Continue to monitor radon levels in your home with further radon testing.
Venting
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Install extra vents in your basement and crawl spaces.
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Set up fans that will draw outside air into the house and open all your windows. As the exterior air enters your home, it will force the air inside out through vents or open windows taking the radon gas with it.
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Hire a contractor who is properly trained in radon mitigation techniques to install a venting system for eliminating the radon in your home. The type of venting system needed in your situation depends on the construction of your home and the levels of radon concentration.
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Retest the radon levels when the mitigation system is completed to see if it is working correctly.
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Tips & Warnings
Some contractors may provide a guarantee that they will make any adjustments or modifications to the mitigation system after installation to reach an agreed upon radon level.
According to Bob Vila, the costs involved in radon mitigation can range from $200 to $2,500 depending on the methods used.
According to the EPA, some states have regulations governing radon mitigation techniques or systems used by homeowners. Contact your local state radon office to check for any regulations in your state (see Resources).
Closely check the references of any contractor before hiring. While there is no federal certification program, some states have their own certification programs for providing radon mitigation services.
