What You Need to Know about DIY Mitigation

Do you know what is underneath your home’s foundation? It’s important.

Preferably, your foundation was built on top of a porous surface, such as gravel, which will make it easier to draw the radon gas out. Older foundations were often built on top of a rock, dense sand, wet earth, or solid ground. These surfaces are less porous and will require more effort to draw the radon gas in and can impact the type of fan and system you choose for mitigation.

Have there been any additions to your home? If there have been sections added or you do not have a continuous slab, you may need to add multiple systems to effectively mitigate the radon.

In most situations, a 3 to 4-inch diameter pipe is required and drilling holes through the floor and ceiling in each level of your home is necessary. Where you put the pipes is also an important consideration. You may or may not be able to place them in a straight line from the foundation to the roof without going through living spaces, which would detract from your home’s appearance.

Likely, you will need to have joints and bends, which are additional places where you can incur leakage if the job’s not done properly. Not to mention, too many joints and bends can reduce the suction of the fan. You don’t want the pipes on the outside of your home either. Besides the cosmetic appearance, it also makes the pipes susceptible to weather which can lead to cracks or condensation.

Pipe placement on the roof is also crucial. You want to make sure where you disperse the radon gas away from your home is not close to any windows. Depending on your local building codes, you may need to use different hoods on piping.

A fan is installed to provide the suction within the pipes to draw the radon gas from beneath your home and bring it to the roof where it can be dispersed. The fan should not be placed near living areas to avoid any noise from its operation and to protect you from a potential leak that could spread the radioactive gas inside your home.

Monitoring and warning systems must be near the fan to make sure it’s working properly. If it fails, it will be possible to accumulate radon gas inside the pipes in your home without venting it to the outside properly. Some states require proper identification on the system that includes which company installed the system and when it was installed. By doing it yourself, you may not meet certain requirements if you plan on selling the home in the future.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that poses serious health risks, including lung cancer. It forms as uranium in soil, rock, or water breaks down and can seep in through cracks in the foundation or other openings. If you or a family member is a smoker, high radon levels significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Even for non-smokers, radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer, making mitigation essential for safeguarding your family’s health.

Mitigating radon involves more than sealing cracks; it requires a strategic approach tailored to your home’s structure, radon levels, and local regulations. Here are some of the most common methods:

• Sub-Slab Depressurization: This method involves installing a vent pipe system and fan to draw radon from beneath the home’s foundation and release it outside. It’s highly effective for homes with concrete slab foundations.

• Crawl Space Ventilation: For homes with crawl spaces, ventilation systems reduce radon levels by improving air circulation and preventing the buildup of radon gas. This may involve the installation of vent fans or converting the crawl space into a sealed, vented area.

• Sealing Cracks and Openings: While not a standalone solution, sealing foundation cracks and gaps reduces the pathways through which radon enters the home, complementing other mitigation methods.

The choice of mitigation method depends on several factors, including the type of foundation, radon levels, and local regulations. Homes with basements, slabs, or crawl spaces may require distinct approaches tailored to their specific structural characteristics. Higher radon levels often call for more comprehensive systems, such as active depressurization, to reduce concentrations effectively. Compliance with state and regional guidelines is also critical to achieving a safe and reliable mitigation system.

Steps involved in mitigation include:

• Assessment: A professional radon mitigator evaluates your home to determine radon levels and entry points. Diagnostic tools like continuous radon monitors or charcoal tests are used during this step.

• System Design: Based on the assessment, the professional selects the most effective mitigation method and designs a system tailored to your home’s structure and radon levels.

• Installation: This step involves setting up vent pipes, sealing cracks, and installing fans or ventilation systems, depending on the chosen method.

• Testing and Maintenance: After installation, the system undergoes testing to confirm its effectiveness. Routine maintenance helps maintain performance and protect your home over time.

Radon mitigation offers many long-term benefits, including reduced exposure to a leading cause of lung cancer, increased property value through properly installed systems, and peace of mind knowing your home is safer.

DIY radon mitigation may seem like a cost-effective option, but it poses significant risks if not done properly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against taking a DIY approach:

“The EPA recommends that you have a qualified radon mitigation contractor fix your home because lowering high radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and special skills. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge, you could actually increase your radon level or create other potential hazards and additional costs.” – Environmental Protection Agency

There are many dangers of going about this task yourself. DIY radon mitigation often overlooks critical aspects of proper installation, such as sealing cracks and gaps in the foundation or correctly venting radon away from the home. Even small errors, like improper pipe placement or poor fan installation, can result in elevated radon levels or other complications. For instance:

• Ineffective sealing may allow radon to continue seeping into the home.

• Incorrect venting could redirect radon into other areas, increasing exposure.

• Poor equipment choices might fail to reduce radon levels adequately.

There are also health risks to consider. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and prolonged exposure can have severe health implications. Improper mitigation may leave residents unknowingly exposed to dangerous radon levels, heightening the risk over time.

Additionally, most states mandate radon professionals to hold proper licensing, certification, or registration due to the complexity of mitigation. Regulations are in place so these professionals are trained to assess radon risks accurately and implement long-term solutions. By relying on a qualified radon mitigation contractor, you can avoid the pitfalls of DIY efforts and address the problem effectively.

Certified radon mitigation professionals offer the expertise needed to effectively address radon issues, bringing specialized knowledge of building codes, advanced tools, and safety protocols. Their training includes certifications from organizations like the NRPP or NRSB, requiring rigorous education, testing, and continued learning to stay updated with industry standards.

These professionals begin by thoroughly assessing a home to identify radon entry points and structural factors like cracks or gaps. Using advanced diagnostic tools, they measure radon levels and determine the best mitigation method for the property. From sub-slab depressurization systems to foundation sealing, they implement tailored solutions designed to reduce radon levels effectively.

Their expertise helps avoid risks such as improper venting or equipment failure. With a certified professional, homeowners can trust that their radon mitigation system is installed with precision and care, leading to long-term protection and improved air quality for the entire household.

Radon reduction systems are highly effective – if installed correctly. Professionals can significantly lower radon levels in your home, with reductions of up to 99% in some cases. The effectiveness of these systems underscores the importance of proper installation, which provides long-term protection for your household.

The cost of radon mitigation is comparable to other common home repairs, with expenses varying based on factors such as your home’s size, design, location, and the type of reduction system required. Also,operating a radon mitigation system may result in a slight increase in your utility bill. That said, this small adjustment is a worthwhile trade-off for the health benefits that come with reducing radon exposure. While professional services may seem like a larger upfront investment, they deliver results that DIY methods often cannot match.

Radon testing is the only way to know if potentially harmful radon gas is present in your home. Radonova’s short-term and long-term test kits are inexpensive, highly accurate, and will tell you if you need to take further action to reduce radon levels.

If you do find radon, DIY mitigation is not recommended. The risks are simply too high. It takes an experienced, trained, and certified radon mitigation professional to do the job right.

Start with a test to determine if you have a problem. If you do, choose a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix your home.

Most states have a radon office that keeps a list of certified radon mitigation specialists, so that’s the best place to start your search for a radon mitigation contractor. Additionally, the NRPP and NRSB provide a way to search for radon mitigation professionals by zip code.

The EPA recommends you hire a professional radon contractor that meets these stringent requirements and include these items as part of any proposal or estimate:

• Proof of state certification, professional proficiency, or other acceptable certification.

• Proof of liability insurance and bonded.

• Proof of state and/or local licensing (if required).

• Radon testing before designing and installing a radon-reduction system.

• Installation of a warning device to alert you if the system isn’t working properly or has failed.

• Testing after installation to verify the system is working and that radon gas has been reduced to acceptable levels.

Contractors should also put in writing a guarantee to reduce the radon level to 4 pCi/L or below. DIY mitigation won’t be able to guarantee the work.

Even if you are able to save a few dollars with DIY radon mitigation, it is definitely not worth the risk.