Criteria to be Taken Into Consideration Before Installing a Radon Mitigation System

By radon mitigation we generally imply the steps required for the reduction of gas concentrations within an enclosed perimeter. The installation of a radon mitigation system is usually recommended when the gas test results show a level higher than 4 pCi/L. The presence of such a system in your house will drastically increase the safety of the living area; studies actually reveal that a radon mitigation system keeps the gas concentration far bellow 2 pCi/L. Furthermore, even if you plan to sell the house – whether it be new or old – the presence of a reduction system for dangerous gases like radon will allow you to get a better price.

There are certain criteria to be taken into consideration before installing a radon mitigation system, and the entire process very much depends on the type of foundation design the house has. There are houses with a simple space under the first floor, others with concrete-poured areas at the ground level, or there are some that combine both these two types of foundation design. They may have half a slab-on-grade type and a crawlspace for the rest of the area. Hence, a professional analysis is required before proceeding to radon mitigation.

Radon mitigation can be achieved by several procedures: you can either use special devices that prevent radon from entering the house, or choose others that merely lower the gas concentration in a confined space. Underground fans, radon contractors and other similar measures help you ensure a safe living environment in all the house parts. For a perfect radon mitigation it is also highly important that you seal any cracks or openings in the walls or floors of a certain house area. There are two great advantages to sealing: on the one hand you prevent the loss of conditioned air and on the other you limit from the very start the amount of radon that enters the house.

Before getting to the radon mitigation process as such, you will need to talk to the team that is in charge of the procedure and analyze things in detail. Thus, you should provide as much information as possible on the construction and even offer the building project if you still have it. Sometimes, special diagnostic tests are required to make sure that all the house details are well covered: the type of soil beneath the house, the foundation design, as well as former radon test results are among the most common ones discussed.