Radon in house with Radon Mitigation system (inspector, assess)

[HellAngel]

Hello

I looked at a house recently which had a radon mitigation system installed. I got the inspector to do a 48 hour radon test in the basement and the average level came to be around 2 with levels ranging from 0 to 4. I was reading online that radon mitigation companies can reduce levels closer to zero with mitigation systems so is this level too high given that a mitigation system is already in place. Also I was reading that in winter these numbers can be even higher. Per the owners, the mitigation system was installed when the house was built and they bought the house from the original owners. Kindly advise.

[bookspage]

Originally Posted by HellAngel

Hello
I looked at a house recently which had a radon mitigation system installed. I got the inspector to do a 48 hour radon test in the basement and the average level came to be around 2 with levels ranging from 0 to 4. I was reading online that radon mitigation companies can reduce levels closer to zero with mitigation systems so is this level too high given that a mitigation system is already in place. Also I was reading that in winter these numbers can be even higher. Per the owners, the mitigation system was installed when the house was built and they bought the house from the original owners. Kindly advise.

It might not be a powerful enough system for the size of the house and/or the level of the radon.

Our system gets our radon down to almost zero (from 9). They had to do something when they installed it due the size of the house though, two pipes? Bigger pipes? Something like that

2 doesn't sound bad to me though but I can see how you would like to get it lower and are concerned about the winter

If you like the house, I would work with it. Maybe have a radon company come out and assess the current system and see if there is anything they can do to make it stronger.

[pinkydapimp]

Ask the seller if they have the test results from when it was last checked? When you get it installed they should have the before and after. Otherwise, i would get an estimate.

[boater1]

Radon is a natural gas in some parts of NJ.
You cannot eliminate it, the most you can do is not allow the gas to accumulate in a closed area like a basement.
resulting in the gas concentration to rise. You need to just keep it moving outside,
Usually by a fan/pipping system


Since they installed the system.
maybe the foundation / slab has developed more or bigger cracks, allowing more gas to come in.
maybe the owner has done changes to the house to insulate the house tighter to save energy.
maybe the structure of the rocks under the house has changed allowing more gas to come up under.
maybe they installed a french drain or sump pump in the basement that wasn't there before.
Maybe the fan is failing and is not ventilating as it should
maybe the vent pipes are partially clogged with a bird nest
maybe maybe maybe ...

If it worries you, talk to a licensed radon company and confirm the present system is adequate for the radon concentration coming in today.