Radon is a radioactive gas that is present in your house naturally. It is hazardous to health and is responsible for causing lung cancer. Radon gas is emitted by soil and water around our houses. These radon levels should be tested regularly and fixed. Radon levels are higher in indoors than in outdoors. You can test and reduce this radon level if you know how to fix radon completely using various venting techniques which are less expensive and easy to use.
Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)
This is the most effective technique used to fix radon problems in your home. In this technique you need to insert a pipe in the floor of your basement area. Run this pipe through the height of your house and provide an outlet to this pipe through the roof of your house. A fan is installed outside the living space such as garage of your house to direct the heat out of the house. All the cracks, holes and sump pump basins of the house are sealed. A warning device is also installed to check whether the fan is working properly. You can use a radon test kit to check the results of the fixture done.
Sub-membrane suction
This type of radon fixing method is mostly practiced in the crawlspace houses and proves to be effective for these kinds of houses. In this, the earth floor is covered with a high density plastic sheet. Using a pipe and a fan the radon is driven from the surface of the house directly into the external atmosphere.
Sub-slab depressurization
This is also called active sub-slab suction. In this technique more than one suction pipes is inserted in the soil below under the floor slab or below the concrete slab from outside the house. The number and location of the pipes is decided upon the size and testing how easily it can facilitate the movement of air through the house. Another factor on which the number of these pipes is selected is the strength of the radon source.
Heat recovery ventilator
This system also helps in reducing the radon level in the home by increasing the ventilation. However, this system only helps in dilution of the radon levels in the house and does not eliminate the radon problems completely. The only advantage with using this system is that it helps in reducing the level of other harmful gases also.
You can install any of the above radon reduction systems depending upon your requirements and the systems that meet your standards. You can also build a radon resistant house following proper techniques that allow proper ventilation for escaping the radon gas out of the house. You can hire a contractor to install these systems and take proper guidance to understand the technicalities and maintenance instructions.
Safety precautions while installing a radon reduction system in your house
- While installing a radon reduction system in your house make sure that you hire an expert contractor who can install a proper system in your house.
- Look for radon mitigation standards, so that you can check that the system installed in your house is proper and meets the standards.
- A radon test should be carried before installing a radon reduction system in your house so that you can keep a track of the radon levels before and after installation of the system.
- Make sure that the fan is not located too close to the living area of the house. It should be placed in the basement or on the top floor of the house.
- Installation of electrical connections must be done according to the electrical codes and instructions given in the system.
- Install a warning device that will alert you when the system stops working or is not functioning properly. You can use a light indicator or sound alarm as a warning device.
- The exhaust pipes should be located away from the windows, doors and other openings of the house. They must provide proper ventilation to the house by helping exhausting the radon gas out of the house.
- Conduct a test of the installed radon system in your house within 30 days of the installation of the radon reduction system, but do not conduct this test within 24 hours of the installation. The ideal condition to conduct this test is keeping the windows and doors of the house closed at least for 24 hours.
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