Need help with radon question please.. (Carmel, Avon: homes, buying, inspector) - Indianapolis - Indiana (IN) - City-Data Forum

Stratgirl · 05-01-2009, 12:31 PM

Our son and his wife are in the process of buying their first home near the outer Indy/Avon area. The home is new and the inspector did a radon test that came back 12.2 We live in NC were it's not as common so we are very unsure about this. If you do have a reputable company come in and "fix" it, is it really fixed?? and will it be able to be fixed forever so we dont' have to worry about future grandchildren in the home etc? It does have a basement and that is where the test was performed. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Michelle Morris · 05-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Hi! Radon gas comes through the ground and into the home through the basement or sometimes the slab. For some reason, the levels are higher here in IN than in other areas of the country. Homes with basements are more susceptible to this problem, and homes that have been closed up for a long time. A radon mitigation system will help circulate the air from the basement and is really all they would need to have done. From what I've been told, it is really just a large PVC pipe with a fan in it, that sucks the air from the basement and pushes it outside. I would advise a buyer to get that done (possibly ask the seller to have it done) and then have the radon levels tested every few years to be sure.

IndyGoat · 05-01-2009, 02:07 PM

Radon is common, but that is a high reading.

They bore a hole into the slap of the basement, (usually only an issue in homes with basements). A 4" pvc pipe with a fan is put in the bore, draws air from under the slab and vents it outside. Runs continuously to keep the level down. Unless the system goes down, should remediate the problem.

gtrman · 05-02-2009, 03:52 PM

Agreed with everyone. It's not a big deal at all if you get the machine. You'd be silly not to ask the seller to pay for this, unless you've already closed on the deal.

The machine is very quiet. I'm surprised you didn't run into this in NC. My folks had a place in Blowing Rock with a radon problem--they got the same machine. Most people in that town had the same issue.

MortonR · 05-04-2009, 06:31 PM

we purchased a home last August (thanks, MikiJayne!

) that had an initial reading of 9+.

Because the home was relatively new (built in 2003) the builder had placed a radon removal "stack" or pipe in the house.

As a result, it was a relatively simple matter for our radon remediation supplier to install the connection to our sump and install the fan in the attic.

The test results after the system was set up was under 2 (I believe anything above 4 is considered unacceptable.)

I highly recommend Radon Technology (574.1854 - Tim) in Carmel. He was very thorough, spent plenty of time reviewing what was necessary to install the system, and responded quickly to our inquiries.

RM

Michelle Morris · 05-05-2009, 10:09 AM

Good to see you, RM! I'd love to stop by sometime and see all you've done to the house!

Southside Shrek · 05-05-2009, 03:06 PM

Wow!! A 12.2. You definitely need a radon remediation system installed and everything will be just fine.

Stratgirl · 05-05-2009, 09:05 PM

Thank you all so much! We are definitely feeling so much better about this. I passed the info about Radon Technology on to my daughter in law and she is calling them to set up an appt. And, I am going to look into having our home here in Charlotte checked too just in case! lol.