If you’ve measured your radon levels and they’re more than 200 Bq/m^2, you require radon removal services. Search online, and you’ll find a variety of how-to guides and assurances from people saying DIY radon removal is perfectly safe. However, radon removal is a dangerous process that should only be undertaken by an experienced technician. Read on to find out what makes this class A carcinogen gas so dangerous and why you shouldn’t attempt to remove it yourself.
Why Is Radon Gas Dangerous?
As you might have guessed from the name, radon is a radioactive gas. It’s inert, colorless and odorless, but radon can cause lung cancer. Outside, it’s not thought to be dangerous because it disperses quickly in the open air. However, it can get trapped indoors after entering through the foundation or cracks in the walls. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, so we recommend that everyone gets a radon test at home.
Radon Mitigation Options
There are two options for radon mitigation: do it yourself or call in the services of a professional. The former might seem like a cheap and cheerful option, but it’s not the type of job that you can undertake lightly. Besides, when you find a guide online, you could be seeking guidance from someone with a totally different basement to you in an entirely separate part of the country.
People often ask, can radon be vented through a wall? This is a process a pro can carry out, but it would be dangerous for an untrained individual to attempt.
What Can Go Wrong With DIY Radon Removal?
The reason people think radon removal is safe to carry out without the help of a pro is how simple the process seems. Some of the problems with DIY radon removal include:
- Piercing pipes: Professional radon removal services use equipment and tools to ensure they don’t hit pipes or wires.
- Sub-slab conditions: If the concrete and soil where the radon has entered are dirty or there’s clay present, the radon mitigation system won’t work as well. Only an expert can analyze the soil and advise you on the type of redesign that’s necessary.
- Backdrafting: A worst-case scenario comes when the radon mitigation system accidentally pulls carbon monoxide from your water heater and furnace into your home. Drawing this deadly gas into your house could have dangerous consequences, but a professional has the equipment to prevent it from happening.
- Reentry: Building dynamics and wind direction must be planned for when conducting radon removal. Otherwise. Radon-rich air will simply filter back into the house through walls, windows, vents and skylights.
- Humidity: Radon removal is possible, even if air moisture is high. Sometimes, large volumes of water appear in the pipe. You’d need specialist knowledge direct water away without causing damage or reducing the effectiveness of the system.
- Problems selling your property: If the time comes when you want to sell your property, prospective buyers might be put off by the idea of moving into a property that had DIY radon removal.
Don’t Take the Risk: Call In the Pros!
If you require radon removal services in Ontario, don’t hesitate to call Simon Air Quality today at 613-866-2092.
