How to Retrofit Your House For Radon Mitigation
WHAT is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless.
Health Impact of Radon: While harmless outdoors, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. Radon enters the house through foundation cracks, gaps, and drains. The decaying process emits alpha particle radiation which severely damages DNA. It is classified as a Category 1 Class A Carcinogen, and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
WHY you may want to retrofit your house for radon mitigation.
The most important reason to consider retrofitting your house for radon mitigation is to protect your family from the negative health effect of prolonged radon exposure. An additional consideration is that as radon awareness increases, buyers may begin requesting radon testing as a part of their inspection process. By retrofitting your house for radon mitigation you not only protect your family now, but you also increase your house value to potential buyers in the future.
HOW to test for it?
There are two primary methods for radon testing. The first is by purchasing an in-home radon testing kit. Tests are most accurate when completed in your main living area during the winter for at least three months. Testing in winter increases accuracy by measuring the air within your home while the windows are closed.
Amazon sells in-home devices that work similarly to C02 detectors, ranging in price from $85 battery operated testers to $180 long-term testers with reporting.
The second way to test the radon levels in your home is by hiring a professional to come in and complete an instant test. Certified radon testing professionals in Canada are found through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). There are currently around a dozen certified professionals in the golden horseshoe area of southern Ontario.
In Canada, the recommended action guideline for radon in residential homes is a maximum of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/M3). If your test results show levels at or above this concentration, Health Canada recommends taking action to reduce radon levels within one to two years.
HOW to retrofit your house for radon mitigation.
Installation radon mitigation is not as complex of a task as it sounds. Often manageable for DIYers within a short period of time. The primary steps can be found below:
- Seal Entry Points: Caulk foundation cracks, seal utility penetrations, and use specialized airtight covers on sump pits.
- Suction Pit: Drill a 3-to-5-inch hole through the concrete floor and excavate a small pit (approx. 5-10 gallons of material) beneath the slab to create a suction point.
- RadonX Piping: Run 4” RadonX Mitigation Pipe from the pit to the exterior, ensuring it passes through the roof or high above the eaves.
- Fan Installation: Install a specialized, low-wattage radon fan in the attic or outside to pull air from the soil and exhaust it.
- Seal System: Ensure all PVC joints are airtight.
- Address Crawlspaces: If a home has exposed soil, use a thick (minimum 10 mil) polyethylene membrane to cover the ground and seal it to the walls to create a sealed environment.
- Verify Mitigation: Re-test radon levels after the system is installed to ensure effectiveness, which can reduce levels by up to 95%
Whether you’re building a new home or making improvements to your old home, radon mitigation is an investment worth considering. It’s a cost effective way to help keep your family safe and increase peace of mind for future home buyers. If you’d like to better understand how Radon Mitigation Pipe works, you can read our blog about the function of RadonX Pipe and the Ontario Building Code regulations that impact it. Alternatively, you can talk to our plumbing expert George by phone or email for customized advice, education, and quoting.
