You think you have a radon problem, now what? The first thing you should do if you suspect a radon problem is to test your home. Your reading will tell you what your next steps should be.
Low Radon Level
Although the EPA states that “no level of radon is safe”, technically radon readings below 4.0 pCi/L are below their action limit. That means no remediation measures are necessary. However, as a property owner, you will want to retest every two years, or any time there are any structural changes to your property to ensure you do not have a new radon problem.
High Radon Level
What happens if monitoring turns up radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher? The EPA advises that you begin by contacting your state radon office for names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area. The EPA recommends the use of radon remediation professionals because, “Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. A qualified contractor can study the radon problem in your home and help you pick the right method.”
Solving Radon Problems
While there are several radon reducing techniques that can be employed, the first step in any remediation plan is to seal all the cracks or gaps in a structures’ foundation. Cracks in concrete floors of slabs or basements must be sealed, as well as any cracks in basement walls. A good caulk, appropriate for concrete repairs, is used for this job. If the structure has a sump crock, the crock will need to be sealed and vented to the outside.
In some cases, where radon readings are relatively low, simply sealing the foundation and venting the sump crock will lower the radon levels to < 4 pCi/L. While these steps can lower radon concentrations below the action level, the EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to fix the problem because, “by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently.”
There’s a variety of techniques that remediation contractors use to solve radon problems. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home, while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. The EPA recommends using a method that prevents the entry of radon into a home. Soil suction is one example of this technique. It prevents radon from entering a home by drawing radon from below the foundation and venting it through a pipe to the air above the house where it’s quickly diluted.
If you are ready to correct your radon problem, give Trinity a call: 630-499-1492. We have highly skilled, licensed radon professionals on staff to help you tackle your radon problem head on. We look forward to working with you.
