Radon Mitigation Techniques For Your Home

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps from the ground. It is colorless and odorless, as well as dangerous in large quantities. Radon exposure in the home can lead to respiratory issues or cancer, so it's important to have your home tested to see if any mitigation methods need to be installed. The following are the mitigation options available if you find radon in your home.

Basement Suction Systems

Radon tends to pool in basements due to lack of ventilation. There are two types of suction systems that can be installed to remove this pooled radon. A passive suction system consists of pipes that are installed through the basement walls or foundation. These pipes provide an outlet for the radon to dissipate. The second type is the active suction system, which has vent fans that help pull the radon through the ventilation pipes and out of the house. Passive and active systems are used for homes with basements, slab foundations, or block wall foundations.

Foundation Sealing

Sealing, which can minimize the amount of radon coming into the home, may be used in conjunction with another mitigation technique. Your restoration crew will find small cracks and holes in the foundation, which can occur naturally over time, and they will seal them to prevent radon from coming in. They may also paint a sealant over exposed concrete walls in basements to further minimize radon seepage.

Crawlspace Ventilation

In homes with a crawlspace, radon gas may pool under the home and then seep in slowly. A combination of sealing and ventilation prevents the issue. First, plastic sheeting is installed on the underside of the floor, which is the ceiling of the crawlspace, so that little radon can seep into your home. Then, sufficient crawlspace vents are installed, with or without fans, to ensure the radon can dissipate outside where it won't pose a health issue.

Home Pressurization

Home pressurization consists of blowing air into a room on the lowest level of your home. The resulting pressure forces radon to move upward and out of the house. Pressurization only works if the room being pressurized doesn't have any windows or vents in it that prevent the pressure from building up. This is the least suitable radon mitigation method in most homes because it's difficult to maintain pressure.

Consult with a radon mitigation service in your area if you suspect that you have a radon problem.


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