The most effective way to get rid of radon is to install a removal system that draws the radon out of the soil before it even has an opportunity to enter the house. These systems are called "Sub Slab Depressurization Systems" or "Active Soil Depressurization Systems". These systems operate by using a piping and fan system that depressurizes the soil that surrounds the home. This in effect reverses the pressure differential between the soil and the lower portion of your home. You'll still have the same pressures within your house that you've always had and never noticed, but the radon will be vented safely outside so that it can dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere. It doesn’t take much of a pressure differential to draw radon into a home, and it doesn’t take a lot of pressure to draw it out.

Sometimes these systems can be piped up through the house and out the roof or are installed on the outside of the house. Depending on the type of house, you may need a system that pulls the radon out from below the basement slab, out of block walls, or from the crawlspace. Every home is different but usually the most important factor regarding the method of installation is the type of soil around your house and its porosity. Homes with clay soils are much more difficult to pull air through than homes built on gravel. Since every home is so different, the EPA recommends hiring a certified radon mitigator to do this type of work and does not advise homeowners to try this on their own. An improperly installed system could raise the radon level or cause other problems like back drafting of the furnace or water heater pulling in carbon monoxide - another deadly gas. Costs can vary from $800 to $2,500 but could be more depending on what work needs to be done. Systems only cost pennies a day to operate and require almost no maintenance.

A radon specialist can help to determine which type of system is best for you. Your home may need a combination of types and may also need sealing work as part of the system. A radon mitigator will usually perform diagnostics before any type of system is installed to determine what is best for your particular home.

Diagnostics normally consists of drilling a few small ½” holes through the concrete that will later be plugged and sealed. These test holes allow the specialist to determine where the radon is coming from, types of soil, and where the suction point(s) need to be for your particular home. Homes with crawlspaces, or homes built on ground level all require different approaches, but when designed and installed properly, systems can reduce radon levels by up to 99%. In some cases these systems can bring your radon level down to the same as the outside air!

Of course the single largest benefit of having a radon removal system is low radiation exposure and a greatly reduced chance of getting cancer, but many other benefits have also been reported. As radon removal systems safely exhaust the radon, they also remove other chemicals and gases that are commonly found in the soil around our homes like insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, methane, and carbon dioxide. Cleaner air means better health. These systems also remove moisture from the ground and can help to keep basements drier and prevent mold growth. Smart home buyers are now asking for a radon test as part of the inspection process so if you already have a radon removal system in place, you may sell your home faster or even get more for it. One of the biggest benefits though is peace of mind and knowing that you’re doing the right thing for yourself and your family.

The best time to address a radon concern, is before you build. Radon resistant new construction (RRNC) is something that can be installed during construction so that it is almost invisible to the occupant. This is done easily and cheaply compared to installing a radon mitigation system after the house is already built. We will gladly work with your contractor free of charge to design the appropriate “passive” system based upon your personal blue print. Contact us today to see what type of RRNC is best for your home.

If you have any questions, contact J.B. The Radon Man!