Radon Mitigation Techniques

By Author: Tamika Hartman
Total Articles: 21
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Many claim that high radon levels cannot be corrected. These doomsday theorists are wrong. Radon levels can be reduced if they are found to be higher than acceptable limits. There are many procedures that can be used to reduce radon levels. Radon abatement in your home needs to be conducted by a professional.

Techniques of Mitigating Radon

You may be offered several different techniques of radon mitigation. These systems can be active as well as passive in nature. In general, there are four popular techniques of radon mitigation, which are:

* Sub slab depressurization

* SSD in crawl space

* Sealing of openings

* Installation of air exchangers

Sub Slab Depressurization (SSD)

When it comes to radon abatement, SSD is a chosen technique and most homes have it. This simple procedure involves the installation of a PVC pipe that pumps air along with the radon gas found in the soil under the basement area, and out through an opening in the roof of the house. The fan acts like a one way valve when it is switched on so that radon cannot enter back in from the outside when it is ...
... running.

SSD - Crawl Space

There are plenty of homes created with crawl spaces. This is the area that exists under your home and is mostly made up of exposed dirt and mud. In such cases, an expert in radon mitigation will recommend the installation of a SSD system after covering the exposed dirt with a special plastic sheet. This sheet is sealed with the perimeter walls. The SSD system penetrates the sheet and works its magic in the same way that it works in a basement.

Sealing of Openings

Sealing is a method that is often used in conjunction with an SSD system. Larger cracks as well as sump holes need to be sealed. However, when used as a standalone system, it does not seem to show quite the same results as other techniques. In fact, radon reduction may range from 0 to 50 percent, which is less than ideal and far less reliable as compared to other systems.

Air Exchangers

Installation of air exchangers is probably the last way that will be recommended to you by the experts conducting radon testing. This is a very expensive method.

Final Decisions

Your local area professionals will be able to guide you through the processes of radon testing, mitigation, and abatement. Their expertise will guide you in the right direction. This is not the time for guess work and just because you have read this article does not make you an expert but it does give you an idea on some of the options out there and a better understanding of this arena. Your home and quality of life will improve based on these decisions.

Thrasher Basement Systems specializes in radon abatement in Iowa.