Removing Radon from the Home

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Properly venting and providing makeup air for combustion appliances like water heaters and furnaces is just one way to reduce possible radon buildup in your home. While EPA guidelines focus on radon ranges above 4 pCi/L, homeowners may want to take action even if test results are in the 2-4 pCi/L range. Homeowners have a variety of options when it comes to reducing or mitigating radon levels. Deciding on the level of monitoring required, disruption to home and property, and cost is a good first step. Two Approaches to Mitigation There are two ways to reduce the radon in a house: Prevent the gas from getting in. Vent the gas to lower the concentration. The methods used and costs involved depend on the radon level, construction of the home, and characteristics of the underlying soil. Costs can vary from $200 to $2,500 with some methods requiring annual operating costs and increased heating or air conditioning bills. Simple Fixes The simplest way to keep radon out is to seal the openings through which it enters. Gaps around utility pipes and cracks in basement floors and between the basement floor and walls are easy to seal with minimally expanding foam. However, smaller cracks may be difficult to identify. Sealers also age and crack, and the normal settling of a house tends to open new cracks and reopen old ones. For those reasons, the EPA says sealing alone does not lower radon levels significantly or consistently but works best when used with other methods. Another simple approach is to just open windows and doors. This mixes outdoor air with indoor air and reduces radon concentrations. However, the fix is only temporary. Once doors and windows are closed, radon concentrations often return to earlier levels in less than a day. It also can mean a loss of heated or cooled air, increased energy costs, and security concerns. Providing proper air intake and exhaust for combustion appliances is another way to prevent radon penetration. It eliminates the negative air pressure created when furnaces and clothes dryers use indoor air, creating suction that draws radon into the home. More Involved Solutions There are several active methods to prevent radon from entering the home or to dilute its concentration. A house may combine more than one approach to attain a lowered radon reading.

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