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Hello, When we moved into our house it was tested to have high radon levels (around 11 in basement and 5 upstairs). From my understanding this isnt earth shattering high but I'd like to address it.
My house was half basement and half crawl space (pass thrus in basement to get into the crawl). The crawl was dirt so I figured that was the source. I have since poured a slab on top of the crawl dirt (plastic underneath) yet a radon retest gave the same numbers.
I did have the where withal to put piping under the crawl for a french drain (even though its pretty dry) There is also a sump pump in the basement thats also dry.
before retesting I did tape off the sump covers to seal them yet (again) the levels are the same as before we poured the slab.
Looking for advice/solutions. Would fans hooked up to the sump pumps really make a difference and if so can I do one fan to both sump pumps ?
Thanks cant afford to drop a ton of money that the companies will want.
Dave did you do a similar project and did it make much of a difference ?
No.
I paid my developer/builder to install a mitigation system. $750.
I have never measured radon in my house. My duplex neighbor did and it was a 6 before.
I only put it in for resale which will be in about 20 years. They are almost mandatory in greater Denver now.
I do have the privilege of installing a new fan though as ours died after 6.5 years. $120 and it is sitting on my desk now.
First advice would be to have a professional mitigation contractor do the install.
However, since you want to DIY, I will offer a couple of ideas.
1. you need to understand how mitigation systems work, and why they work. I'm talking about the pipes for the system that would be under the plastic in the crawlspace. The plastic must be heavy enough and be sealed EVERYWHERE>
2. sealing all points of entry in the basement, such as along the perimeter of the foundation wall, where the floor slab joins. If you have a bathroom in the basement, with a bath tub, there is a fairly large hole in the slab where the waste pipe goes underground. This can be a significant source of radon in slabs. Its a pretty big hole.
3. penetration points and piping will have to join between pipes under plastic in crawlspace, and the penetration point in the basement slab. Then the pipe needs to go to the exterior, either up thru the house, into the attic and then out the roof, or thru the foundation wall to the outside.
4. The fan has to be installed in unfinished space, meaning on the exterior of the house, or in the attic. The fan can not be in the basement.
5. The fan must be sized properly.
Hope this helps.
I had read the same thing about the fan needing to be outside or in attic. What gives with this why cant it be in the basement as long as the pipes coming to and from are sealed ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barking Spider
First advice would be to have a professional mitigation contractor do the install.
However, since you want to DIY, I will offer a couple of ideas.
1. you need to understand how mitigation systems work, and why they work. I'm talking about the pipes for the system that would be under the plastic in the crawlspace. The plastic must be heavy enough and be sealed EVERYWHERE>
2. sealing all points of entry in the basement, such as along the perimeter of the foundation wall, where the floor slab joins. If you have a bathroom in the basement, with a bath tub, there is a fairly large hole in the slab where the waste pipe goes underground. This can be a significant source of radon in slabs. Its a pretty big hole.
3. penetration points and piping will have to join between pipes under plastic in crawlspace, and the penetration point in the basement slab. Then the pipe needs to go to the exterior, either up thru the house, into the attic and then out the roof, or thru the foundation wall to the outside.
4. The fan has to be installed in unfinished space, meaning on the exterior of the house, or in the attic. The fan can not be in the basement.
5. The fan must be sized properly.
Hope this helps.
Hello, When we moved into our house it was tested to have high radon levels (around 11 in basement and 5 upstairs). From my understanding this isnt earth shattering high but I'd like to address it.
My house was half basement and half crawl space (pass thrus in basement to get into the crawl). The crawl was dirt so I figured that was the source. I have since poured a slab on top of the crawl dirt (plastic underneath) yet a radon retest gave the same numbers.
I did have the where withal to put piping under the crawl for a french drain (even though its pretty dry) There is also a sump pump in the basement thats also dry.
before retesting I did tape off the sump covers to seal them yet (again) the levels are the same as before we poured the slab.
Looking for advice/solutions. Would fans hooked up to the sump pumps really make a difference and if so can I do one fan to both sump pumps ?
Thanks cant afford to drop a ton of money that the companies will want.
Get 5 or 6 quotes. I don’t think it will be as expensive as you assume.
I had read the same thing about the fan needing to be outside or in attic. What gives with this why cant it be in the basement as long as the pipes coming to and from are sealed ?
I think you are being very casual on the level of radon in your house. You should have had a radon rider in your contract when buying the house. Get a professional to install the mitigation system.
Another way to look at it is, how much is your good health worth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lpranger467
Hello, When we moved into our house it was tested to have high radon levels (around 11 in basement and 5 upstairs). From my understanding this isnt earth shattering high but I'd like to address it.
My house was half basement and half crawl space (pass thrus in basement to get into the crawl). The crawl was dirt so I figured that was the source. I have since poured a slab on top of the crawl dirt (plastic underneath) yet a radon retest gave the same numbers.
I did have the where withal to put piping under the crawl for a french drain (even though its pretty dry) There is also a sump pump in the basement thats also dry.
before retesting I did tape off the sump covers to seal them yet (again) the levels are the same as before we poured the slab.
Looking for advice/solutions. Would fans hooked up to the sump pumps really make a difference and if so can I do one fan to both sump pumps ?
Thanks cant afford to drop a ton of money that the companies will want.
We bought the place as a fixer upper "as is" so we have to deal with it ourselves; trust me I'm anything but casual I had taken some steps previously but it wasnt enough. I've been pricing all of the material and have watched about 30 youtube videos on it so we will see how this goes this weekend (I'm gonna start install later today). My big doubts were 3 or 4 inch pipe (gonna go 4 I guess) and whether or not to make my own sump cover from Lexan or use a traditional cover.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1ondoner
I think you are being very casual on the level of radon in your house. You should have had a radon rider in your contract when buying the house. Get a professional to install the mitigation system.
Another way to look at it is, how much is your good health worth?
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