Installing Radon Remediation System
A friend of mine contacted me the other day regarding radon remediation. Apparently, their county was offering free radon testing and they signed-up to have their home tested. The test result indicated that the radon levels in their basement were two times the recommended EPA level of 4 pCi/L.
Having your residence tested for radon is a tough choice. My wife happens to be a geologist familiar with radon, and she and I struggle with the decision. That’s because once we have our home tested, we will be required to disclose the testing information if we decide to sell.
However, we also have two small children and we have a responsibility for their health, safety, and welfare. The thing is, the cost to install a radon remediation system in an existing home may start at $2,000 and go up from there.
But you can avoid all of this if you’re building new…there is an easy, cost effective way to solve any future radon problems. And it’s a big mistake not to consider it early on. But before we get to that…
What is Radon?
The New York State Department of Health states that, “Radon is a gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It occurs naturally in the earth, but can become a problem when it builds up indoors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The radon program provides information on health risks from radon, testing for radon and mitigation of elevated levels of radon. Low cost test kits are available for citizens of New York State.”
The EPA Radon map indicates that Oneida County is a Zone 2, which means that we have a predicated average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L. There is also a report for each town within the county. The town where I live, New Hartford, has an average radon level of 4.45 pCi/L, which is slightly above the EPA’s recommended safe level.
So, What’s the Best Way to Deal with a Potential Problem with Radon when You’re Building New Construction?
Consider installing a passive radon remediation system. It’s easy, and most of the materials required for a passive remediation system are already being installed in standard residential construction. We simply add approximately 20-feet of 4-inch diameter PVC pipe that will vent through the roof and we install an electrical junction box in the attic.
When we design new homes for clients, we often refer to the EPA’s radon map and advise our client as to the likelihood of high radon levels in their area. Our philosophy is to integrate into the new work a passive radon remediation plan, and if the homeowner chooses to test their home at a later time, they can without worry.
That’s because if the test results come back elevated, all the homeowner needs to do is install a mechanical fan onto the already in place passive system and the radon level can be lowered at a very small expense.
And the cost to install the system in the first place? Less than half of what it would cost to build it into the house after construction. Integrating a passive radon system in your new home means that you may gain an effective marketing advantage when it comes time to sell. The passive system is also a good investment for the home buyer. It’s effective and easily upgraded.
Like so many other details in the construction of your new home, it is essential that the passive system is designed and installed correctly. We strongly recommend that you hire an experienced, reputable, home builder with a successful track record of completed passive radon systems. Your architect should also be knowledgeable about the proper design and detailing of the passive radon system, and you should expect to have your architect make periodic field visits to verify that the system is being installed properly.
You’ll find additional information on these websites:
http://www.wadsworth.org/radon/
http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html
http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/states/ny.html
Give us a call before building and we’ll answer all of your questions about radon and how it may effect you. And click here for a complete overview of our 3 Steps to Quality Building Construction.
Until next time,
Dan Berkhoudt, AIA, LEED-AP and Tom Davis, P.E.
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