Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and air. The air pressure in the soil is lower than the air pressure in your house. Your house draws up the radon through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Sometimes, the materials in your home such as granite can also give off radon. However, radon gas in soil typically elevates the level of the gas in your home.
Radon causes thousands of deaths due to lung cancer every year. That’s why it’s extremely important to get your home tested. If high levels are detected, you should consider radon gas mitigation to protect the well-being of you and your family.
So What is Radon Gas Mitigation anyways?
Radon mitigation is also called remediation. This process reduces radon levels in your home. There are several techniques that can be used. High quality radon mitigation decreases the concentration of radon gas by venting it outside. When correctly installed, radon mitigation systems remove the gas from the soil under your home, typically beneath the concrete foundation.
What Does Radon Mitigation Mean?
Radon contributes to environmental radioactivity. Radon mitigation reduces radon levels in the air or water supply.
How Is Radon Gas Mitigation Done?
We accomplish radon gas mitigation through ventilation. Radon gas is collected from below the concrete slab in your basement or in a membrane installed on the ground. It can also be abated by increasing the air change in your home. Using aerations, treatment systems can remove radon from water supplies.
Why Is Radon Mitigation Necessary?
According to Statistics Canada, Radon accounts for approximately 3200 lung cancer deaths every year in Canada alone. Radon mitigation prevents your family from breathing in excess amounts of radon and developing lung cancer.
How Long Does Radon Mitigation Last?
Radon mitigation can last forever. It’s a technique or method used to greatly reduce the concentration of radon gas in your home so that you are living with “safe levels”.
What Is a Radon Mitigation System?
A radon gas system vents excess radon from the soil below your home.
How Does Radon Mitigation System Work?
A radon mitigation system releases excess radon gas from below the foundation of your home. Before we recommend a radon mitigation system, we will take readings and perform tests to ensure that you need this intervention. We come to your home to evaluate whether the system can be placed in the basement. If not, we will educate you on your options for installation of a radon mitigation system that can effectively protect you and your family.
How Radon Mitigation Works
Radon mitigation decreases gas concentrations in the air you breathe. They are the most efficient way to accomplish this. By removing radon gas trapped in the soil, mitigation systems prevent radon from leaching into your house. Most radon abatement systems collect the gas from the ground and remove it through a pipe that vents the radon safely outside.
What Does a Radon Mitigation System Look Like?
Radon mitigation systems have a fan that pulls air containing radon from the soil. They are installed inside or outside the home and include a pipe that discharges excess radon safely away from your foundation, windows and other openings.
How to Install a Radon Mitigation System
Here are the steps taken to install a radon remediation system:
- Test the gravel under the slab.
- Seal foundation cracks in the floor and walls.
- Install PVC pipe that runs beneath the slab, extending through an exit point above the roof or out the side of your house.
- Install a manometer to monitor the air pressure inside the system.
- Install the fan in the basement or in the attic.
- Test the system.
How Much Does a Radon Mitigation System Cost?
Radon systems should be installed by a professional. The total cost depends on how many access points are needed to vent the radon from below the foundation of your home. They may cost on average from $650 to $2200. Other factors that can increase the price include:
- Lack of gravel beneath your foundation slab
- Completely finished basement
- Crawl space in your home
How to Size a Radon Mitigation Fan
The size of the radon mitigation fan depends on how far you need to draw radioactive air from the suction point(s) under your slab.
If you want your radon system installed properly, call a licensed, experienced installer such as Simon Air Quality.
Radon Mitigation How Many Suction Points?
This is related to the size of the fan. The mitigation system gathers radon more efficiently when you have at least 4 inches of gravel under the foundation slab — 6 inches is ideal. If you have pea-sized gravel at the right depth but the system isn’t moving the air as expected, you could burn out your fan. To avoid fan failure, a second suction point may be needed.
How to Radon Mitigation
Call Simon Air Quality at 613-866-2092 to talk about your radon concerns. We can come to your house to provide a fast assessment. If you need a radon mitigation system, we will provide a competitive quote.
