Radon Mitigation Strategies

 

Radon one of the radioactive gasses that is deemed to be a health hazard. It comes from natural sources and will build up inside buildings and homes, particularly in small areas like basements and lofts. That is the reason it's important to have a house inspected for radon gas before purchasing it among the available houses on the market.

 

Radon levels can be lowered by mitigation, the procedure of making it less dangerous or moderating it. Some techniques prevent this radioactive gas from entering the house, while others reduce the levels after it has entered. As recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mitigation methods must be used if the amount of radon inside the house has reached more than four pCi/L or 0.02 WL (working levels).

 

Several of the mitigation strategies widely used to lower radon levels would be the following:

 

Soil Suction - This is performed by drawing radon gas from under the home and venting it away by the use of pipes.

 

Closing Openings and cracks - Generally, this approach alone can't lower the levels of radon; sealing just restricts the flow of the gas inside a house and reduces the loss of conditioned air. This is employed to make other kinds of techniques more efficient. For facts about radon, visit this website at http://home.wikia.com/wiki/Radon.

 

Home Pressurization - This utilizes a fan to make pressure differences that help in preventing radon from getting into the home.

 

Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) - This system is utilized to increase ventilation by utilizing the cooled/heated air being used to cool/warm the air coming in. A HRV is most effective when used to circulate air only in the basement. Cooling and heating costs likely to increase if this is utilized.

 

If it is detected that the water supply is the source of Radon Gas in your home, there are some strategies to correct it. Some techniques take away the gas from the water before it even enters the home by using charcoal filters or aeration devices. Additional methods use point-of-use radon test kit devices that remove radon at the faucet; therefore it will not be ingested. These resources don't reduce the gas in unfiltered sources like laundry areas, showers, and tubs. This might make the levels remain high in the air.

 

If you are getting a house, you need to hire a mitigation company to examine the home for radon mitigation. After the company determines how the gas enters inside, it will then recommend the most appropriate radon mitigation technique for the house.