| It's possible a home inspection will reveal the | | | | and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from |
| existence of radon gas seeping up through the | | | | getting into the home |
| ground into the living area of the home you want to | | | | When a home has crawl spaces, plastic sheeting is |
| buy. Radon is known for causing lung cancer, so you | | | | placed over the crawlspace floor. This serves as a |
| don't want it around. What can you do to decrease | | | | moisture barrier as well. |
| the seriousness of the problem? In other words, | | | | Sealing and caulking is another technique. Any |
| what do you do to mitigate the radon threat? | | | | below-grade openings in the concrete foundation |
| Radon resistant techniques can be simple and passive | | | | floor are sealed to reduce the amount of soil gases |
| and will lower radon levels when done properly. They | | | | getting into the home. |
| can lower levels of moisture and other soil gasses, | | | | When there's a gas-permeable layer under the home, |
| too. Radon resistant techniques have the additional | | | | a vent pipe is put into the gravel and runs through |
| benefit of making your home more energy efficient | | | | the house and to the roof to vent gases away from |
| and can help you save on energy costs. Save money | | | | the living area. The pipe used is a 3- or 4-inch |
| when a home is first built by not having to deal with | | | | gas-tight or PVC pipe, or other gas-tight pipe. |
| the problem later if these techniques are put into | | | | If it's necessary to use a vent fan to reduce high |
| place with common building materials. | | | | radon levels, an electrical junction box is included in |
| Even in a new home, radon testing should be done | | | | the attic to make the wiring and installation of a vent |
| to be sure the level is below 4 pCi/L. If radon levels | | | | fan easier. A separate junction box is put in the living |
| are high, a passive system can be turned into what's | | | | space to power the vent fan alarm. That's because |
| called an active system by adding a vent fan to | | | | an alarm is installed along the vent fan to indicate |
| reduce radon levels. | | | | when that fan isn't operating properly. |
| You'll need to find someone who is considered to be | | | | Your home inspector or other qualified radon |
| a qualified radon mitigator to install radon resistant | | | | mitigation professional should know the best place to |
| techniques, whether your home is new or not. Costs | | | | put radon test equipment. It should go into the |
| will vary, but should be similar to other home repairs | | | | lowest level of the home that's occupied regularly, |
| you may need to have done. | | | | such as any place used as a bedroom, play or |
| What are these radon resistant techniques? It's | | | | exercise area, den or workshop. The EPA says |
| important to note that this depends on your home's | | | | testing should not be done in a closet, stairway, |
| foundation. Also, if you're having a house built, ask | | | | hallway, crawl space or in an enclosed area where |
| your builder if they're using EPA's recommended | | | | there's either high humidity or breezy air circulation. |
| approach. | | | | Avoid places like the kitchen, laundry room,bathroom |
| The first radon resistant technique of note is a | | | | or furnace room. |
| gas-permeable layer, which is used only in homes with | | | | There's no way to accurately know the level of |
| casement and slab-on-grade foundations. It is not | | | | radon in the home you're building, buying or selling |
| used in homes with crawlspace foundations. It usually | | | | unless radon testing is done. Be sure your home |
| consists of a four inch layer of clean gravel placed | | | | inspector or other qualified professional can do the |
| under the slab or flooring system. It's meant to allow | | | | testing for you. You don't have to put your family's |
| the gas to move freely under the house. Plastic | | | | health at risk from radon. |
| sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer | | | | |