- Radon is produced by soil, rocks and water, and is found almost everywhere on earth. Houses pose a particular problem, however, because of their pressure differences with the soil. A house with high pressure will keep any gas in the soil beneath it pushed away to the outside, where it can find easier ways to escape into the outdoor air. A house with low pressure, however, tends to attract gases trapped in the soil, since they find it easier to flow into a low-pressure area. Radon typically enters a house through the basement and seeps up into rooms through cracks and uninsulated areas.
- According to the EPA guidelines, if test results show radon levels in the house are at 4 picocuries per liter or higher in the house, then a radon reduction system should be put into place. A picocurie is a unit used to measure radiation in all objects, and 4 per liter raises of the risk of contracting cancer when the gas is absorbed into the lung tissue. Several companies offer radon testing kits that use charcoal and other substances that trap a sample of radon gas from the house. The kit is then transported to a lab which analyzes the findings and sends a report back to the homeowner. There are also more complicated devices that can show immediately how much radon is present and where it is coming from, but these are expensive and most often used by professionals.
- A passive radon reduction system seeks to keep the gas from entering the house by sealing all cracks and possible entrance points. A sealant is often applied to the entire floor of the basement to ensure the radon cannot squeeze through. Extra insulation and expanding forms are often applied to the walls of the basement or crawlspace. Sometimes, a layer of plastic or similar material is installed to keep the gas at bay.
- Active Radon Fan and Pipe, courtesy www.infiltec.com
Active systems use a series of pipes and fans to both depressurize the soil and channel radon gas out and away from the house. A hole is drilled in the basement or crawlspace and a pipe is installed, reaching into the soil. The fan sucks air and gases from this pocket of soil, changing the overall pressure and making it more difficult for the radon to enter the basement. Any radon left will be caught in the pipes and channeled outside again. Active systems can be either indoors or outdoors: an indoor system will release the gas in the attic so that it bypasses the rooms, while an outdoor system places pipes on the outer walls. - For simple radon problems homeowners can insulate and seal their crawlspace and basement themselves with little hassle, but large-scale projects such as active systems require a professional contractor experienced in radon prevention systems. Major systems typically cost around $1,200.
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