Radon Mitigation System

Radon Mitigation

ensure the safety of everyone

Mitigating a radon problem in your home, multi-family property, new construction, or school is critical to ensuring the safety of those in the building. Since radon is a soil gas, it wants to enter your property wherever the soil is in touch with the foundation. That is why ALL types of structures, built on ALL types of foundations can have a problem with radon. 

Having a radon problem, if not remediated, can dramatically increase your risk of lung cancer and death. Over 21,000 deaths per year are attributed to radon exposure. However it is a problem that can be prevented by utilizing a radon mitigation system that is installed by a licensed professional. We guarantee our post mitigation levels to test below 4.0 pCi/l for 10 years or we will preform additional mitigation to reduce levels at no additional charge. 

Residential

radon Mitigation

Having radon in your home can be scary and dangerous to your family. That is where we come in. Our team has the knowledge and skills to mitigate your radon problem.

NEW BUILDING

radon mitigation

Reduce radon levels before anyone even steps foot into your new property. By utilizing our mitigation services during construction we can create a system that reduces radon early on.

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SCHOOL

radon mitigation

Students, teachers, and staff can be exposed to high levels of radon for up to 8 hours a day. Protecting them is critical. Let our experienced team mitigate the radon in your school. 

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MULTI-FAMILY

radon mitigation

Mitigation of multi-family properties is required by U.S. Housing and Urban Development regulations. Our team has the licensing and experience required for any HUD project.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Radon Mitigation

The strategy behind all mitigation systems is the same: (1) seal major entry points, like sump pits, expansion cracks in concrete floors and slabs, crawl spaces and other openings to the soil and then (2) vacuum the air from the soil up through a solid pipe with a fan. These systems are called “soil depressurization systems.”

Any level of radon can pose some health risks, however the EPA has set the action level to 4.0 pCi/l. When this level or higher is reached it is recommended that mitigation be preformed to reduce the radon level. In fact other countries and even the World Health Organization recommend an action level of 2.7 pCi/l.

Radon comes primarily from the soil under a building. Radon can be found almost everywhere because radium (the “parent” of radon gas) is present in most soils. Average concentrations of radon are usually low, and small amounts of radon are measurable in the air. However, when homes, schools and buildings are erected over a source of radon, the gas can become trapped and elevated inside the building. The highest levels are usually detected in the basement, however heating and air conditioning systems and whole house vacuum systems can quickly spread radon to other parts of a building.

Radon usually enters buildings mixed with other gasses from the soil. Usual entry points are open sumps, cracks in floors and cinder block walls, openings in floors (from electrical, plumbing and other penetrations), floor drains, etc. Radon is literally pulled, or sucked into the building due to what is called the “stack effect.” Warm, heated air inside the building will rise and exit at higher elevations. This loss of air requires make up air which often comes from the soil through the above mentioned areas. Other exhausting appliances (such as fireplaces, dryers, bathroom fans, etc.) can also increase the rate of radon entry.

One of the most common radon test types is the activated carbon test. Using this technique, a small canister of activated charcoal is placed in the lowest livable area of a home or commercial building (the basement, if you have one) for several days. After exposure, the canister is sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Charcoal canister tests help you determine the radon concentration present at the time of the test.

Other test devices include electronic continuous radon monitors (CRM’s), which can be used to detect and document radon levels on an hourly basis. This type of test is especially valuable when you are involved in purchasing a home and want to prevent tampering with the test device. Certain monitors can also be used to locate primary radon entry points.

Relative to other home improvements and regular maintenance, radon mitigation systems are not expensive. Any given home may have one or several types of foundations (basement, crawl space, slab) and each area must be mitigated. In almost every case one fan can be connected to remove radon gas. Prices for mitigation can range from $1000-2500 depending on these factors.

Radon levels are the highest in the winter by a factor of two to three times over summertime readings.
Unlike natural gas, carbon monoxide or other toxic airborne gasses, radon does not continue to build in concentration. Because ½ the radon “decays” every 3.8 days, an equilibrium is reached and radon levels remain fairly constant. Testing any home requires that the building be kept closed for a period of time before and DURING the test, negating the concern that the house has been vacant and closed up for a long period.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s website is an excellent source of information. Visit epa.gov/radon to learn more.

The Ohio Department of Health provides a number of resources and information about radon. Visit Ohio Department of Health’s website to learn more.

Is Radon Entering Your Property?

Mitigation is critical to keep everyone safe.

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Why choose

radon Environmental Services

01.

Licensed

Our team is licensed with the State of Ohio to perform radon mitigation services.

02.

Experienced

We have been in the radon industry for over 33 years and understand what it takes to mitigate radon.

03.

Caring

Raising radon awareness is our #1 priority. We know the importance of radon mitigation.

04.

Accredited

A+ BBB Accreditation since 2007 and we strive to provide the very best mitigation services.

05.

Guaranteed Results

We guarantee our mitigation services and know that we can help protect your family.

We had an excellent experience with the team of Radon Environmental Services. The subject matter and path to a solution was clearly explained during my initial call. We were fortunate to get scheduled quickly. The installation team was friendly, courteous, and completed their work in nearly the exact same timeframe that was quoted. No extra/hidden fees beyond what was quoted. Very pleased with the results and highly recommend.
rYAN R.
SERVICE: RADON MITIGATION

Draintile & sub-slab

depressurization systems

These systems begin with sealing of cracks in the slab, openings through the slab, and especially open sump crocks. It is important to seal as many of these as can be reached in order to maximize pressures below the concrete and to prevent indoor, heated and or cooled air from being drawn down into the soil.

A flat, solid black cover, with a 4” view port is caulked in place over the existing sump crock opening. By not using any mechanical fasteners to install the cover, it is easily removed when time for a new sump pump or other issues require access to the crock.

At some convenient location in the basement, usually based on where the exterior fan will be located, a 5” hole is core drilled through the slab and a small pit dug in the dirt or stone below. Then the 4” radon vent pipe is inserted into the hole and neatly caulked. The vent pipe stands vertical and then exits the house through the wooden foundation known as the band or rim joist. The fan is then mounted to the vent pipe on the exterior of the house about 3 feet off the ground and wired into a weathertight switch.

From the fan, the radon vent stack rises above the eave of the home or building. Ohio Revised Code states that the vent stack opening must be greater than ten feet from the ground and above the eave. The vent stack opening must also be further than ten feet from a window, door or opening that is not at least two feet below it. The vent stack should rise vertically to exhaust the radon into the atmosphere and prevent re-entrainment. Again, according to code, no rain guard or any cap is permitted at the end of the pipe.

Sub-Membrane

Depressurization systems

Crawl spaces can be a major radon entry point. Radon can easily move up through the house through floorboards and penetrations for plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. To properly prevent radon entry, we first of all, seal using a durable, 6 mil vapor barrier. This barrier is spread over the entire crawl area and sealed to the perimeter walls and around concrete piers.

Joints are then sealed to create an airtight surface over the crawl space. Beneath this seal, we install perforated pipe as a collection tube for air that will be drawn from beneath the barrier and up our radon vent pipe. As described above, the radon vent pipe will exit the crawl through the band joist and then connect to the fan mounted to the exterior of the house.

Radon Resistant

Systems in new construction

For new construction techniques can be used to prevent radon gas entry. Most radon resistant designs consist of a gas permeable layer of gravel under the concrete slab, a soil gas collection pipe buried within the gravel layer, a suction pipe that extends through and interior wall and the exhaust point above the roof of the building.

A correctly installed passive radon mitigation system should also include the sealing of cracks and sumps in the concrete slabs and foundation. Passive radon systems work by creating a vacuum through the natural stack effect in the radon vent pipe. If high radon levels are still detected in the building after it is completed and occupied, the system can then be “activated” by installing a fan in the attic where the vent pipe extends through the roof. The system then becomes an active drain tile depressurization as described in a previous section. You can learn more about protecting your new building from radon on our Radon Resistant New Construction page.

Attic Installed

radon systems

In cases of single story homes, buildings, or homes with attached garages, radon mitigation systems can be installed through the attic space. There are a number of obvious benefits to the utilization of attic installation including the radon system is hidden from view and the fan is more protected from the harsh elements and weather.

Ohio Revised Code also requires that a “fire collar” be placed on the radon vent pipe at any point where it penetrates walls or ceilings.

Keep your family safe.

Mitigation is essential for levels 4.0 pci/l & up!

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