DIY Radon Mitigation Steps
Are you a handyman who like to tackle tasks around the house by himself? Here are the steps to measure the level of radon in your home, install and maintain a radon mitigation system.
1. Measure Radon Levels
Measuring the radon gas level, also referred to as radon testing or radon detection, will determine whether radon gas is present within your home or not. Due to the way radon escapes in the atmosphere from the ground, the measurements in a house can differ dramatically from the results in the next house. This means that a low reading in your neighbor’s home is not enough assurance for you and your family.
Radon detection kit or safety siren radon detectors must be installed on the lowest level of your home (typically in basement) approximately 2 feet from the wall and about 3 inches from the floor. Make sure you select an area where the air is fairly static, away from fresh air incoming ducts, vents, ventilators, intakes or exhausts of air conditioning systems, air purifies, heat exchangers or dehumidifiers. Do not place the radon detection kit or safety siren radon detectors in the kitchen or bathroom where high humidity or the operation of an exhaust fan could affect the validity of the test.
Do not conduct short-term radon tests lasting two or three days unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds. During radon tests all doors and windows are closed twelve hours prior to testing and throughout the testing period.
a. Short-term radon measurement
Measure radon levels using a Activated Charcoal Canister radon detection kit. Such a radon detection kit must be placed in your home for 3 to 7 days, then immediately sent to a lab for analysis. A test report will be mailed to you by the lab - Order your Activated Charcoal Canisters from Amazon.
A more effective way would be to purchase a Safety Siren Radon Detector. A safety siren radon detector, some times called radon gas monitor, conveniently allow short and long term readings of the radon levels without having to ship anything to a lab and relly on anyone interpreting the results. The safety siren radon detector will display short-term radon levels measurement after 48 hours and can also display long-term radon level average measurements
It may make economical sense to buy a inexpensive Radon Detection Kits
b. Long term radon measurement
Measure radon levels using an alpha track radon test kit. The alpha track radon test kit remains in your home for more than 90 days, allowing for the measurement of radon level under normal living conditions. An alpha track detector takes into account all the changes in weather that occur during the radon gas test period, as well as the changes in the way the house is used under differing weather conditions - Order your Alpha Track Detection Kits from Amazon.
Alternately you can use a Safety Siren Radon Detector. A safety siren radon detector allows for 48 hours short-term radon level mesurements, long-term average measurements of the radon levels, and continous monitoring of radon levels without having to ship anything to a lab - Order your Safety Siren Radon Detector from Amazon.
Interpreting Radon Test Results
- If the short-term test result is well above 4 pCi/L, you must consider mitigating radon levels within your home as soon as possible.
- If the short-term test result is 4 pCi/L or below, conduct a follow-up test to confirm the results.
- Follow-up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test, although a long term radon test is recommended to better measure radon levels within your home.
- If second test is 4 pCi/L or above, you must consider mitigating the radon to levels as soon as possible.
- If second test is betwen 2 piC/L and 4 pCi/L, you should consider mitigating the radon to levels.
- Since not radon level is safe for your health, you may choose to mitigate radon to levels as close to outdoor natural radon levels or as low as possible.
Fixing Your Home
Seal Radon Gas Entry Ways
Sealing radon gas entry ways is a simple solution with the main goal of preventing radon gas from getting inside the home. Caulk basement floor cracks, cover bare crawlspace floors with plastic, coat basement walls and basement floors with deap sealing compounds or cement paint, install and seal caps on sump pump holes and open drains.
Once done, redo a short-term radon level measurement. If you are pleased with the results also take a long term measurement to make sure radon levels stay at expected levels. If they do, congratulations, you fixed your home. Otherwise used the following method in addition to sealing all radon entry ways
Install an Active, Fan-based Radon Mitigation System
Installing a Heat Recovery Ventilation System
However, if the measurement does not indicate radon levels at least below 1 pCi/l (37 Bq/m3), you should consider employing the sub-slab depressurization technique by installing an In-Line Radon Fan
Here is how to install a fan-based radon mitigation system.
Once done, redo a short-term radon level measurement. If you are pleased with the results also take a long term measurement to make sure radon levels stay at expected levels. If they do, congratulations, you fixed your home. Otherwise you may have to use an additional in-line radon fan.
Tips and Warnings
- Radon Mitigation can encompass one or a combination of sealing and caulking all the openings in the concrete foundation floor and radon entry routes, deep-penetrating concrete sealer, natural ventilation of the home, heat recovery ventilation systems, sub-slab depressurization, block-wall or drain-tile fan suction, basement pressurization.
- Sub-slab depressurization technique in conjunction with sealing and caulking all the openings in the concrete foundation floor and radon entry routes has been found to be the most effective in most cases.
- If you install an active sub-slab pressurization system, make sure you do not turn the fan off. The fan constantly removes radon gas from underneath your home.
- According to the EPA, "The exhaust pipe(s) of soil suction systems must vent above the surface of the roof and 10 feet or more above the ground, and at least 10 feet away from windows, doors, or other openings that could allow the radon to reenter the house."
- Use any radon mitigation method you believe is applicable in your case as long as is cost effective and reduces the radon level to a level you are confortable with, typically around natural outdoor radon level of 0.4 piC/L.
- Regardless of the method you choose, radon levels should be continuous monitored. Be aware that the level of radon radiation does vary within certain limits from season to season. For example one should expect to see a raise in these levels during winter time, when the ground is frozen and covered by snow and underground gases cannot easily escape into the atmosphere.
- When taking to various people, thay may refer to radon mitigation as radon remediation, radon mitigation systems, radon abatement, radon reduction, radon removal systems, radon venting, radon ventilation system, radon ventilation systems.
- In addition to the methods described so far you may want to consider adding a heat recovery ventilator, or HRV, also called an air-to-air heat exchanger, which will help reduce the radon levels in your home along with removing other indoor air contaminants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), etc.
Monitor Radon Exposure Levels
Remember that there is no safe threshold for Radiation Exposure
Regardless of the method you choose, radon levels should be continuous monitored. Be aware that the level of radon radiation does vary within certain limits from season to season. For example one should expect to see a raise in these levels during winter time, when the ground is frozen and covered by snow and underground gases cannot easily escape into the atmosphere.
Task more complex than you expected?
If you believe that installing a radon mitigation system is more complex than you expected, search for a qualified contractor in your area or ask for advice on our forum.