how do you fix high radon levels

by Emory Barton Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

You can

Seal and caulk foundation cracks and openings to help reduce the amount of radon that can enter.
Install a soil suction radon reduction system, also known as vent pipe and fan system. A three- or four-inch pipe pulls radon from underneath the house and vents it outside. ...
Create a gas-permeable layer beneath the slab or flooring. ...
Install plastic sheeting. ...

There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one most used has a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil depressurization system, does not require major changes to your home.

Full Answer

What are the signs your home has a Radon problem?

Persistent cough
Hoarseness
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Coughing up blood
Chest pain
Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Fatigue

Should I buy a house with a radon mitigation system?

You may be concerned if you find out the house you want to buy tests positive for radon, but don’t necessarily write off a home with radon exposure if you’ve found a home you really want to buy. There are radon mitigation systems that can safely keep radon at bay.

What is the safe level of radon?

The “safe” level of radon exposure is no radon at all. The EPA’s recommended level for radon mitigation is 4.0 pCi/L or above. It’s estimated that 1 in 15 American homes have an elevated level of radon gas.

Is radon really that bad?

When radon gas enters the body, it exposes the lungs to small amounts of radiation. In small quantities, experts say this is harmless. However, in persistent exposures or larger quantities, radon can damage the cells of the lining of the lungs, increasing a person’s chance of developing lung cancer.

How to reduce radon in house?

What is the best way to seal cracks in a floor?

Where is radon released?

Who can fix radon in my home?

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About this website

Does radon go away over time?

Radon does not build up in a residence over time due to its short half-life (3.8 days). Many conditions could affect the measured radon concentration over time in a residence.

How do you deal with high radon levels?

Other radon reduction techniques that can be used in any type of home include: sealing, house or room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation and natural ventilation. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction.

Do air purifiers help with radon?

Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.

Can you recover from radon exposure?

Unfortunately there is no cure for radon poisoning. Radon enters the body as in the form of tiny particles. These particles enter the lungs where they release alpha radiation that can damage lung cells and lead to lung cancer. The damage caused by the radiation cannot be reversed.

What state has the most radon?

Radon is measured by its rate of decay, expressed as pCi/L (picocuries per liter)....Below are the top five states with the greatest radon levels based on data from several sources.Alaska: 10.7 pCi/L. ... South Dakota: 9.6 pCi/L. ... Pennsylvania: 8.6 pCi/L. ... Ohio: 7.8 pCi/L. ... Washington: 7.5 pCi/L.

How long can you live with radon?

Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop. Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: persistent cough.

Will a dehumidifier remove radon?

No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. Research conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has clearly disproved this idea.

Where in your house is radon most likely?

basementRadon levels are usually highest in the basement or crawl space. When someone breathes in radon gas, it goes into their lungs, exposing them to small amounts of radiation.

How do I make my house safe from radon?

An active radon sump, fitted with a fan, is the most effective way to reduce indoor radon levels. Sumps work best under solid floors and under suspended floors if the ground is covered with concrete or a membrane. Occasionally, passive sumps without a fan may reduce radon levels.

How worried should I be about radon?

The only safe level of radon is zero. Radon levels measure in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous to your health, and you need to take action against radon if your levels are higher than 4 pCi/L.

Is radon worth worrying about?

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

What are the symptoms of too much radon?

A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...

What are the first signs of radon poisoning?

Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.

How do I make my house safe from radon?

What are the symptoms of too much radon?

At what level should you worry about radon?

4 pCi/LRadon levels are measured in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced, although it is difficult to reduce levels below 2 pCi/L.

How to reduce radon levels in home?

Keep the windows open on the lowest level, weather permitting. Ventilation is key for reducing radon levels. Whenever possible, have several windows open on the lowest level of your home or office, which is closest to the soil and source of the radon. Even a small crack allows fresh air to flow in, lowering the concentration of radon in the air. You can opt to open windows on upper levels as well to allow air to flow throughout the entire space.

What to seal cracks in a building?

Seal all cracks and openings in the building. Cracks and openings in the building can allow radon to flow into your home or office. All entry points (like for utilities), cracks, drains, and openings can be filled with urethane foam. Wall and floor joints can be sealed with polyurethane membrane sealants.

Why does radon come into my home?

Radon comes into your home or office because the air pressure is lower than it is outside, drawing radon in like a vacuum. Exhaust fans further decrease the air pressure, so using them actually increases the concentration of radon in the air.

How to remove radon from water?

Remove radon from the water using granular activated carbon. Though radon levels in water aren’t usually high enough to significantly impact the levels of radon in the air, you can take steps to reduce the radon in your water, if necessary. The best thing to do is run your water through a granular activated carbon unit to remove the radon. Be sure to replace the unit when necessary and dispose of old units as per the laws in your region.

Why is radon a radioactive gas?

Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas that naturally occurs in the soil due to the breakdown of uranium. It is a leading cause of lung cancer, so it’s important to contact your state radon office to obtain a test kit or find a professional to test the radon levels for you. While the best thing to do is to install a professional radon ...

Can you increase radon levels without a contractor?

Without the right equipment and techniques, you could actually increase the levels of radon in your home! If you decide not to use a certified contractor to reduce radon, it’s essential that you contact your state radon office to find training courses in your area. Enroll in and attend these training classes to learn how to properly reduce radon ...

Does radon increase your electric bill?

Radon reduction equipment should be clearly labeled and must have a warning device that alerts you of malfunctions. Expect increased utility bills. Many strategies to reduce radon can impact your heating and cooling bills due to increased ventilation. Fans and other equipment may also raise your electric bill.

How to reduce radon levels in a house?

And suppose the level is high, here are some radon reduction techniques that you can do. 1. Create a gas-permeable layer that is beneath the slab or flooring. Doing so allows the radioactive gas to move under your house. However, this technique only works if you have a basement or slab foundation. 2.

What to do before radon reduction?

Radon Testing. One of the first things you need to do before doing any radon reduction technique is radon testing. Doing so allows you to tell if your home has high radon levels. There are several ways to test your home for radon, including short-term and long-term testing.

How long does radon test last?

Long-term radon testing measures radon levels for more than 90 days, including alpha-track and electret ion chamber detectors.

What is the safest level of radon?

Radon levels determine the amount of radon present in your home. The safest radon level is zero, but it is pretty challenging to keep it at zero level unless your home was built with radon reduction construction techniques since it is naturally occurring. Besides, radon levels may vary from time to time, so it is recommended to test your home ...

How long can you test for radon?

Suppose you are in a hurry; you can measure radon for two to three days. For a short-term test, it is recommended to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible. This way, you can avoid the fans from bringing air from outside. You may use the following devices for short term radon testing:

Can you test your home for radon?

Besides, radon levels may vary from time to time, so it is recommended to test your home for radon. And if the radon levels are high, you need to reduce them as soon as possible. In this article, learn some radon reduction strategies that can provide both short-term and long-term benefits.

Can you test for radon in a month?

You may use the following devices for short term radon testing: Since radon levels might change from day to day or month to month, it would be best to opt for long-term radon testing. This is because, according to radon experts, you’ll get the most accurate results from this kind of test.

What to do if radon manometer is zero?

If the manometer is reading zero, check the GFI outlet the radon fan is connected to to make sure that the electricity to the fan has not been interrupted. This is important especially if you have had a power outage. If your fan is not outside or not connected to a GFI, contact your mitigation company.

How to reduce radon in basement?

In houses that have a basement, crawlspace or a slab-on-grade foundation, radon is usually reduced by one of three types of soil depressurization: sub-slab, drain tile (often using sump hole), or block wall. Active sub-slab depressurization is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the house. The number and location of suction pipes that are needed depends on how easily air can move through the substrate under the slab as determined by airflow testing. Often, only a single suction point is needed and very rarely must piping be installed in the finished areas of basements.

How does a heat recovery ventilator work?

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV), also called an air-to-air heat exchanger can be installed to increase ventilation which will help reduce the radon levels in your home. An HRV will increase ventilation by introducing outdoor air while using the heated or cooled air being exhausted to warm or cool the incoming air. HRVs are more effective in reducing radon levels when used to ventilate only the basement and when the radon level is less than 10 pCi/L.

How often should I do a radon test?

Conduct a radon test every two years to make sure that radon mitigation system is operating correctly and reducing radon concentrations to below 4 pCi/L.

How to contact RMCA in New Jersey?

CLICK HERE to contact RMCA or call 914-420-2051 to speak with someone right away. For help in New Jersey, dial 845-376-2480.

Does sealing radon levels lower radon levels?

Note: Sealing entry points does not lower radon levels reliably or consistently and is not recommended by the EPA as the sole method for mitigation. However sealing may enhance the performance of the mitigation system.

Is it a good idea to correct radon levels?

It is a good practice to correct a radon problem before you put your house on the market. High radon levels have been known to negatively affect home sales. Radon mitigation systems do not require major changes to your home and do not adversely effect the value of your home! Homes mitigated to acceptable levels have added protection against radon and therefore make the mitigation system an excellent selling point.

How to fix radon in a home?

Some fixes for a home that has elevated levels of radon could be DIY, including sealing cracks in the foundation, improving your home’s natural ventilation and creating room pressurization with fans. However, the EPA recommends that you have a qualified radon mitigation contractor fix your home because it may need a radon mitigation system installed. A radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan and the proper sealing of cracks. This system collects radon gas from underneath the foundation and vents it to the outside of your home. Contact your state radon office for a list of licensed radon mitigation professionals in your area. Detailed information about radon reduction in your home or building can be found in the EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction.

How to reduce radon levels in home?

Confirm that there is actually a problem. Most experts recommend testing at least twice before starting work to reduce your home’s radon levels.

How many homes in the US have radon?

First, relax: you’re not alone. One in 15 homes across the country tests positive for dangerous levels of radon, an invisible, odorless gas that causes lung cancer.

Is radon mitigation expensive?

Pricing to install a radon mitigation system will of course vary based on home size and region, but most people find the final price is reasonable for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve prevented yourself and your loved ones from breathing in dangerous levels of cancer-causing radon gas.

Can radon mitigation be retested?

Your radon mitigation professional will likely retest your home for you once your new system is installed. However, you will want to continue to test your home. Even with a mitigation system, the only way to know your radon levels are in a safe range is to continuously test. That’s it!

Can radon cause cancer?

And exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year in the United States, contributing to lung cancer’s status as the #1 cancer killer.

Can radon be elevated?

Once the radon-resistant features have been installed and the home is completely built, make sure to perform radon testing, as the levels could still be elevated. If the radon levels are still elevated, a radon fan should be added to the system to lower the radon level.

Troubleshooting Guide – About Hard Houses

Radon can be HARD. It’s on the top of the first page of our website for a reason. We’ve worked on houses where we were the 4th company to work on it. It can be just difficult sometimes.

Post Mitigation Levels Come Back High!?

Radon can be HARD. It’s on the top of the first page of our website for a reason. We’ve worked on houses where we were the 4th company to work on it. It can be just difficult sometimes.

How to reduce radon levels in a home?

Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. The second-best way to reduce your radon level, after a mitigation system, is airing out the home. Ventilate the lowest level of the house, whether that be a crawlspace, basement, or if you have a slab foundation, the living area. If you have a basement you are ventilating, ...

How long does radon test last?

Radon levels indoors vary from day to day and season to season, based on factors like how many windows and doors are open, and your HVAC system usage. Therefore, there are two types of radon testing —short-term and long-term. For a quick snapshot of your radon levels, usually preferred in real estate transactions, a short-term test lasts from 3 to 90 days. Long-term tests give a broader picture of level fluctuations, lasting 91 days or longer. Long-term tests give you a better sense of what is happening in your home from day to day as well as season to season.

How to test for radon in home?

Testing is done through a device placed in your lowest level of living, not the lowest level of the entire home. The goal is to find the radon level your family is actively breathing in. Results come back measured in picocuries per liter of air, pCi/L. While the EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L, anything below 2.0 pCi/L is preferred.

How to fix radon in basement?

Find all the breaks you can, and seal them with caulk or epoxy sealant. It will be hard to find and seal every crack but fixing enough of them will make an impact on your radon level, which is great, no matter how small that impact may be.

How to get rid of radon in the air?

Open the windows. Open all of them, or as many as you can, and create a cross breeze. When radon rises to the surface of the ground outdoors, it dissipates when it hits the air. The same thing happens when you open your windows. The trapped gas dissipates in the fresh air.

How much radon is in soil?

Present in rocks and soil, the outdoor average radon level is 0.4 pCi/L. If radon gas is released from the rocks and dirt beneath your home, your indoor level can be significantly higher than 0.4 pCi/L. While there is no ‘safe' level of radon, the U.S. EPA has an action level of 4.0 pCi/L, meaning if your home tests at this level or higher, you should mitigate it quickly. Let's look at how to reduce radon levels .

What can lower the air pressure in your home?

Exhaust fans and combustion units such as wood stoves and fireplaces can lower the air pressure inside your home, and the lower the indoor air pressure is compared to the soil beneath, the more radon gas enters the house.

What is the CDC's Radon Communication Toolkit?

CDC’s Radon Communication Toolkit is designed for environmental and public health professionals to use to increase awareness and understanding of radon, its health effects, and the importance of testing for radon among the communities they serve. The toolkit contains customizable fact sheets, infographics, newsletter articles, and social media posts. View large image and text description

How to test for radon in home?

Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are exposed to high levels of radon. Steps you can take to measure and reduce radon levels include: 1 Purchasing a radon test kit#N#Find a Radon Test Kit or Measurement and Mitigation Professional#N#external icon 2 Testing your home or office#N#Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. It requires opening a package and placing a small measuring device in a room and leaving it there for the desired period. Short-term testing can take from a few days to 90 days. Long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The longer the test, the more relevant the results are to your home and lifestyle. 3 Sending the kit to appropriate sources to determine radon level#N#Follow the directions on the test kit packaging to find out where to send the device to get the results. 4 Fixing your home if radon levels are high#N#Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home#N#pdf icon#N#[413 KB]#N#external icon

What is the radon level in a home?

EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air (a “picocurie” is a common unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity).

What is radon gas?

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. Because radon comes naturally from the earth, people are always exposed to it.

How long does it take to get radon test results?

Long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The longer the test, the more relevant the results are to your home and lifestyle. Sending the kit to appropriate sources to determine radon level. Follow the directions on the test kit packaging to find out where to send the device to get the results.

How long does it take to get a blood test?

It requires opening a package and placing a small measuring device in a room and leaving it there for the desired period. Short-term testing can take from a few days to 90 days. Long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The longer the test, the more relevant the results are to your home and lifestyle.

Can you get lung cancer from burning wood?

Whether you burn wood, coal, or other substances that add particles to the indoor air. The chances of getting lung cancer are higher if your home has elevated rad on levels and you smoke or burn fuels that increase indoor particles. CDC’s Radon Communication Toolkit is designed for environmental and public health professionals to use ...

How does radon get into a house?

Radon gets into your home by surging through the ground and entering through gaps, cracks, and cavities in your floors, walls, and pipes. If you have a private well, it can also seep in through your water. Once radon gets into your home, it stays there until you act to remove it. One of the more effective radon reduction systems is known as an ...

What is the best way to reduce radon levels?

One of the more effective radon reduction systems is known as an active soil depressurization system.

What is the goal of Radon Eliminator?

Our primary goal at Radon Eliminator is to share the essential information as it relates to radon, its health effects and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

What happens if you lower the air pressure in your house?

The lower the indoor air pressure compared to the soil beneath, the more radon gas will enter the house.

How much can you reduce radon levels?

The EPA says, "you can reduce the levels of radon in your home by 99% if you use a radon reduction system."

What to do if you have high levels of radon?

If you have high levels of radon in your home, and you haven't yet hired a specialist, vent your home using the windows.

Where does radon enter a home?

Remember, radon enters your home through cracks in your foundation, basement, flooring, and gaps in your windows.

How to reduce radon in house?

There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home (called radon mitigation), but the one most used has a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home.

What is the best way to seal cracks in a floor?

Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.

Where is radon released?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally released in the air from rocks and soil. It can be found in the air outside and can get inside buildings and homes, where it can build up. There is no known safe level of radon. Aiming for the lowest radon level you can achieve in your home will reduce your risk of harmful health effects, including lung cancer.

Who can fix radon in my home?

You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. A qualified contractor can identify the radon problem in your home and recommend the right radon reduction method. Check with your state radon office. for names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area.