Back Drafting and Fan-Suction Mitigation Systems:
Radon mitigation fans draw not just soil gas from the ground but also indoor air from the house through cracks and pores in concrete. This may cause back drafting and spillage of combustion gases from the furnace, water heater, or fireplace in modern, tight houses. Installing a CO alarm is a good idea. Lung cancer may kill someone in 20 years, but carbon monoxide can kill them in 20 minutes!
The risk of back drafting increases when house air
tightness increases and atmospherically vented
appliance are present. Houses are already
depressurized due to combustion appliances,
exhaust fans like in the bathroom and kitchen
(may exhaust 750 cfm), clothes dryers, range hoods,
natural "stack effect," etc. The radon mitigation fan
flow of say 100 cfm is comparable to a clothes dryer.
In a leaky house, this may reduce air pressure by only
1 Pa but in a tight house, it may produce
depressurization of 5–10 Pa which will reverse chimney
flows. If the house is already depressurized at say 4 Pa,
adding the radon mitigation system may take it over the
limit of 5 Pa. Building codes recommend that each appliance should provide its own make-up air. However, they rely on passive openings but dependent on wind direction, they may actually draw more air from the house. Spillage resistant appliances (e.g. direct vent gas appliances) are a much more reliable solution.
Short term self tests can be ordered by clicking this link.
About EPA's Former National Radon Proficiency Program
Please Note: EPA-issued Radon Measurement (RMP) and Radon Mitigation (RCP) photo-identification cards, ANY item with EPA's logo or name, listing letters and identification numbers have not been valid since EPA closed its proficiency program in October 1998.
Consequently, persons and companies should not represent themselves, their products or their services as "EPA Listed" or "EPA Approved" or "Meets EPA Requirements" or otherwise imply an EPA sanction.
Consumers are encouraged to contact their State radon office (see the state contact list at www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html just click on your state) for additional information or if you have a complaint/question.
After the close of EPA's National Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) in 1998, there were requests that EPA offer some form of recognition of the two existing non-Federal radon proficiency programs. EPA offered a one-time acknowledgment to both of the existing non-Federal national radon proficiency programs (The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) and The National Environmental Health Association's (NEHA) National Radon Proficiency Program).
This official acknowledgement ran through March 30, 2001 to December 31, 2002.
EPA continues to encourage States, industry and consumers to work together to identify those elements that would improve non-Federal radon proficiency programs and go beyond EPA's former voluntary RPP. These improved elements should then be adopted as standards of practice.
Beware of the potential conflict of interest when same person, company, affiliated partnership or company to conduct both the radon test, and radon mitigation of the home.
Videos
How to test radon yourself
radon mitigation
DR. OZ
Resources - This section has videos, links to information about radon gas, radon mitigation, and additional information you should know. What to look for in a radon mitigation provider and system. Information you should know. And information about real estate transactions.
Real Estate Transactions:
I feel bad for the sellers situation. They have been living in the home and had no idea of the radon issue or even about radon gas. This may be the first time they are learning about radon gas. As a result, when it comes time for a radon system for real estate, the number one thing I am asked by sellers is, how cheap can you put a mitigation system in for?
Adamski Builders LLC always tries to give the best price on radon mitigation projects. The projects have to be do correctly the first time, and stands behind the work. Because I run an honest business, have to cover the cost of insurance for our vehicles, and business. With everything that is involved to run this business, down to the last item figured in, I have priced our systems at the lowest possible point to be able to cover costs and still earn a living.
When a seller asks me the question about how cheap you can put a mitigation system in for, I normally tell them that I'm the company that is concerned about the quality of the entire project including sealing if needed, the mitigation system, and the future owners. Not just the next owners, but the owner after that. With the guarantee the radon level is below the acceptable 4.0 picoCuries/liter (pCi/L). Most projects I work on are between 0.4 to 1.0 picoCuries/liter (pCi/L). And warranty the system for the new owners.
Sometimes that statement will work and I will end up with the job. Most of the time the seller says, “I don’t care who installs it, how the system looks, where it’s placed or how noisy it is, I just want the cheapest system and a passing test.” In most cases the other company is $50 to $150 less. Is that enough of a price break to gamble with the health of your family? I hope the seller of the home they are moving into didn’t have that attitude.
Less expensive systems are cheaper because of how they are installed. When you cut corners, and don’t include all the necessary items for a system, you can install it cheaper. Even though a company may be a certified radon provider, does not mean they know what they are doing.
For home buyers: If you want the best radon system for your family, if you want the best looking, best placed, quiet system. Do you want the company to be there if something goes wrong with your system. Do you want the best warranty and guarantee for your family. Offer to pay the difference.
You may have to pay nothing to a little to have it done right, and too have peace of mind. The seller and agent will not have any objections if you request Adamski Builders LLC to install the system and offer to pay the difference on what we would charge and what another company is willing to do it for.
There is no need to get stuck with what the seller was willing to pay for, or with a company that is willing to do it wrong.
Radon Mitigation
What to look for in a radon mitigation provider. and
Information you should know: radon mitigation radon mitigation system
Click the logo to be forward to their website.
Adamski Builders LLC uses schedule 40 pvc pipe on all their radon mitigation system installations. Schedule 20 pipe is not approved for above grade applications. It is approximately half the thickness of schedule 40 pipe. The schedule 40 pipe has a thicker wall which is more durable, it also helps reduce noise levels created by air moving through the pipe.
Adamski Builders LLC does advanced diagnostics to properly design mitigation system, properly size vent pipe, and installation of correct fan size. Oversized radon mitigation fans draw not just soil gas from the ground but also indoor air from the house through cracks and pores in concrete. Causing higher energy costs to heat and cool the home. And possibly causing back drafting of appliances and carbon monoxide issues. Some companies say they do advanced diagnostics. They are not doing advanced diagnostics if their installing the same oversized fan for every project.