Critical Components in Effective Radon Systems
Top Radon Mitigation Companies Work from a Proven Body of Knowledge
In 1986, the EPA established the indoor radon risk exposure level: 4 picocuries per liter of air.
Following that they established recommendations and standards for installing radon mitigation systems. This began with the publication of US EPA, 1994, “Radon Mitigation Standards” which described how a radon mitigation system should be constructed.
Over the years, the EPA reduced their direct involvement and “handed the reins” to radon trade organizations and non-profit building standards development organizations. Various newer standards were developed:
- ASTM Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Low-Rise Residential Buildings E2121
- AARST, 2006, ASD Radon Mitigation Standards (June 2006)
- ANSI/AARST Residential Home Mitigation (SGM-SF-2017) (2017)
These standards provide some basic, specific guidance. Here is a sample:
- Mitigated homes should be retested no sooner than 24 hours (nor later than 30 days) after installation to verify performance. Retests should be conducted every two years.
- The exhaust discharge shall be at least 10 feet above ground level, 10 feet away from any opening that is less than two feet below the discharge, and above or at the eave of the roof.
- Radon fans should not be located inside the home or in a crawlspace. They can be in an attic, outdoors, or in a garage, provided there is no living space above the garage.
- There should be a fan function indicator located in plain sight that will show the occupant that the system is operating.
Basics….on ALL System Types
All of our systems are made of a 4 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe that is connected to the soil in one of three or four ways. [See our Types of Radon Mitigation Systems for more on this.]
From this lowest-area soil connection the pipe runs up to the fan. The system usually exits the home at the “rim joist,” the point where the wooden joist sits on top of the foundation wall. (There are exceptions we won’t cover here.)
Close to this exit point is usually the best location for the Radon fan. [See more on Radon fans here.]
Above the fan, the system needs an exhaust to the roofline to keep the radon dense air from people nearby or a reentry point where it could get back into the home. The majority of our exhaust systems are made of good looking 4×3 inch white aluminium downspout. Most customers prefer the look of this material as it’s not as noticeable from the street and it holds paint better than the PVC.
A No-Risk, No Hassle, Free Way to Learn More
We offer a quick, easy 20 minute estimates to provide you with pricing and other valuable information. Just call our main office line at 303-462-5000 and say, “I saw you on the web and I’d like to get a proposal for a Radon Mitigation System” and we can set up a time that works for you. You’ll never get any sales-pitch whatsoever. We love to do these no-charge consultations, even if you’re not ready to move forward right now. Our goal is to make it as easy and painless as possible to look into this with no-strings attached. (We’re also happy to do phone consultations to give you the basics and answer any questions you have.)