Radon Mitigation Systems | DYI Radon Systems

About Radon Mitigation Systems

Different types of radon systems and how they work

Radon Mitigation Explained

Radon Mitigation - "radon reduction", "radon abatement" and "radon remediation" are all similar terms used to describe the process of reducing radon gas levels in a building. Radon mitigation or radon reduction is done with a purpose to lower the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon mitigation is a process that reduces radon gas levels in a building most often by venting it from below the house to the outside, before it can seep into the home. Radon mitigation sometimes uses positive pressure to increase the pressure of lower levels of the home, indoor air pushes down to keep the radon from entering. Ventilation is another method that is used to dilute or flush out the radon. Sometimes a combination of methods are needed. The most effective type of radon mitigation system depends on the construction and conditions of the building, the soil conditions below the home and radon pathways that allow the radon to enter the building. Sometimes multiple radon mitigation methods are needed.

The most common and effective type of radon mitigation in the US is called "sub-slab depressurization" or "active sub-slab suction," which involves installing a suction pit with a connected vent pipe and using a fan to draw radon gas out from beneath the house and vent it outside.

Radon - is a radioactive gas that can seep into homes through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Radon gas can also seep through the pores of concrete, dirt or stone floors or through sump drainage pipes connect to a sump basin. Radon gas is created from the natural decay process of uranium in soil. Uranium is a heavy metal is widespread in many rocks, like gold silver and other metals, it is seldom highly concentrated but is sometimes found in high concentration veins and mined similar to gold and silver.

Radon levels or the amount of radon: Radon levels or the amount of radon can fluctuate due to many reasons including, changes in weather, soil moisture, air pressure, and air pressure differentials, water drainage, changes in soil porosity from frozen soil. Radon levels are typically higher in the cold winter months when the house is closed up, the heating system is running which generated a thermal rise of heated air rising up through the roof, which pulls more radon into the home.
Radon build up or radon concentration: Radon can build up in homes, especially in basements and crawl spaces, which are usually poorly ventilated. Radon concentrations usually increase when a house is closed up.
Radon is a heavy gas, however, sometimes the radon level is higher on the upper floor(s), most people never test the upper levels believing the radon is highest on the lowest level. That is not always the case.
Radon health risks: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and the first leading cause for non-smokers. Exposure to high levels of radon is primarily associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
Safe level of radon? The EPA classifies radon as a Class 1 carcinogen, meaning it is definitively known to cause cancer in humans so there is no known safe level of exposure to radon. However low levels of radon are present in outdoor air. The EPA recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L. In most homes radon can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below with current technology.
Radon Testing: Proper testing of your home for radon is the only way to know if it has dangerous levels of radon. It is also the only way to know if you radon mitigation system is actually working as it should.
Average cost for a radon mitigation system in New York and most of the US and Canada ranges from about $1800 to $2500 for a properly designed system installed by a reputable company with guaranteed results backed by a warranty.

Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

The American Type Radon System is most common type system in most of America. It works by sub-slab depressurization, using a radon fan to draw radon gas out from beneath the house and vent it outside. It is most often characterized by the radon fan located on the exterior of the home, usually about 3 to 4 feet above the ground. I refer to this as American in contrast to the Canadian type radon system which as shown below has the radon fan located typically inside the house, or in the basement if the house has a basement. present. Many American States do not permit the Canadian type system, as they do not allow for radon fans to be inside the living area of the house or in a basement or crawl space or garage below a living area. The reason being, in most cases, those states have passed legislation requiring that radon mitigation contractors must be certified and or licensed and adhere to the standards of practice set forth by the National Radon Proficiency Program, (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board, (NRSB). Both the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) are private organizations that offer radon testing and mitigation certification. This Canadian type radon system is allowed in New York State at this time (2/2024). Unfortunately it is not allowed in some states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania due to convoluted state regulations. The Canadian type radon system is an updated and improved version of the old American standard. It is safer and more reliable for cold climate homes than the old American type radon system.

American Type Radon System vent pipe discharges above roof level. The reason Canada does not recommend this type of installation is that during extended freezing temperatures there is potential for an ice cap to form on top of pipe, preventing flow of air; radon mitigation ceases for days or weeks until the ice cap melts. This poses a high radon level safety issue.

American Type Radon Systems with exterior fan and vent pipe extending above the roof are less reliable in cold climates, including upstate New York.

Warm moist air is pulled from below basement floor and will condensate in cold weather, can freeze when very cold. This takes a toll on the radon fan and the service life is shortened significantly.

radon fan exterior drawing_edited_edited

The main difference between the American and Canadian type radon system is the location of the radon fan and the termination of the vent pipe. In all other regards they are very similar.

Characterized by the radon fan located indoors, typically in the basement. Indoor radon fans on average last about 3 times as long as an exterior mounted radon fan.

For safety reasons, this is the recommended type of radon system for homes that experience extended periods of freezing temperatures.

Pictures of American Type Radon Systems

Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

The Canadian Type Radon System is the preferred type of radon system for cold climate homes because it will not ice up like an American type radon system. This also (like the American type system) is a sub-slab depressurization, using a radon fan to draw radon gas out from beneath the house and vent it outside. The "Canadian" type radon system characterized by the radon fan located inside the living area of the home, typically in in the basement and the location of the radon vent pipe which terminates near the ground similar to a dryer vent. The Canadian type radon system is differentiated from the American type radon system which does not allow for radon fans in or below the living area of the home or for vent pipe termination near the ground.

Canada Health and Canada National Radon Proficiency Program, (C-NRPP), Canada's governmental health and safety and radon licensing and certification agency both agree, and recommend, since 2014, that radon fans be located in the living area or below the living area of the home and that the radon vent pipe terminates near the ground similar to a dryer vent. This Canadian type radon system is an updated and improved version of the older American standard because it will not freeze up and stop working in cold, freezing weather like the American type system does. It is safer and more reliable for cold climate homes than the old American type radon system as explained below.

Canadian Type Radon System vent pipe discharges near ground level, similar to a dryer vent. The radon gas safely disperses quickly in outside air. The short or small amount of vent exposed to freezing temperatures prevents ice caps that stop air flow and is what makes this type of system safer and more reliable.

Canadian Type Radon System safer and more reliable in cold climates, like upstate New York, because it will not freeze up and stop working in cold weather. The discharge of radon laden air near the ground does not pose any significant safety risk. The exhaust discharge of a high efficiency furnace or water heater, also near the ground, is many times more dangerous than radon mixed with air.

A hole is drilled in the basement floor for the PVC vent pipe. We then excavate a suction pit removing about 3 - 5 gallons of soil.

The main difference between the American and Canadian type radon system is the location of the radon fan and the termination of the vent pipe. In all other regards they are very similar.

Characterized by the radon fan located indoors, typically in the basement. Indoor radon fans on average last about 3 times as long as an exterior mounted radon fan.

For safety reasons, Canada Health and Canada National Radon Proficiency Program recommended this Canadian type radon mitigation system for homes that experience extended periods of freezing temperatures. Other cold climate parts of the world have also adopted Canada's improved version of the American type radon system.

Pictures of Canadian Type Radon Systems

Other Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

The American type radon system viewed and described above is the most common type system in most of America and in central New York for sure. It is most often characterized by the radon fan located on the exterior of the home. The Canadian type radon system also viewed and described above is very common in Canada, less so in upstate New York, however most of the radon mitigation systems I've installed in central NY in the last few years have been Canadian type radon systems. There are a couple of other types of systems that are often seen and a few others that are seldom seen.

Two other fairly common types of radon systems, seen all over the US and Canada are similar to the American and Canadian type radon systems in most regards except for the location of the radon fan.

Radon Vent Pipe With Radon Fan In Attic

This type system is usually installed in new construction since the radon vent pipe from the basement is usually routed up through the walls of the home to the upper floor attic space where the radon fan is mounted. If retrofitted into an existing home this type system is typically the most costly option. The radon vent pipe extends up from the fan through the upper roof, usually on the back side of the house. The vent pipe looks very similar if not identical to the plumbing vent pipe with also extends up the the roof. This is an ideal type of radon system, because the radon fan is not exposed to freezing temperatures like an exterior mounted fan. So radon fans located in attics also last about 3 times as long as exterior mounted fans. Additionally, the amount of pipe extended above the roof is quite short, 12 to 18 inches, therefore not able to condensate enough to form an ice cap in freezing temperatures. This type system in most cases is the quietest type of radon system, especially when the attic is well insulated and the roof is high. Most of the sound from a radon mitigation system comes from the discharge end of the radon vent pipe.

Radon Vent Pipe With Radon Fan In Garage or Garage Attic

This type system is considered and upgrade over the more common American type or Canadian type radon system. It has most of the same benefits as the radon fan in attic type system. The adon fan is located in attic above the garage or in the ceiling area of the attic. The US American standards of practice do not allow for a radon fan to be placed inside the garage if there is a living area above the garage. Garage attic type systems sometimes have a lower roof than the main house and may not be as quiet as a fan vented through a higher, upper roof. The radon fans do last longer when mounted in a garage.

Other Types of Radon Suction Points

The suction point of most radon systems is from a hole drilled through a basement concrete floor. Some other types of radon suction points include:

suction point from a sump cover lid.
sub-membrane suction points, these suck air from below a radon or vapor membrane or poly/plastic sheeting
foundation wall suction points. These can be from either inside or exterior foundation walls, and either above or below grade, but usually below grade.

Other Types of Radon Mitigation

Some other types of radon mitigation that are less common but helpful in situations where more common methods do not work or do not work well enough. These methods are sometimes used in conjunction with more common methods to help get the radon reduced to a lower level.

Drain-tile suction. A system that uses suction on drain tiles or perforated pipes to reduce radon levels.
Sump-hole suction
A system that uses a capped sump pump to drain water and serve as a location for a radon suction pipe.
Block-wall suction
A system that removes radon and depressurizes the block wall of a basement home.
Crawlspace ventilation
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
Fresh Air Make-up Vent(s)
Positive pressure fresh air fan
Passive radon mitigation, using a vent pipe with out a fan allowing radon to vent itself from below the floor.
Dilution by cross ventilation

FOCUS ON FUNCTION AND STYLE

A Best Radon Systems is one of the only full time radon mitigation companies in central New York. Radon mitigation is all we do and we do it well. We install quality radon mitigation systems that are energy efficient, require very little maintenance and are long lasting. We will give you the needed information and available options to help you decide what is the best type of radon mitigation system for your home and your needs.

Due to our extensive experience and full time devotion to everything radon mitigation, we offer services and options that most other radon mitigation contractors do not. We can also tackle the tough jobs others shy away from. We install systems in multi million dollar new construction homes to old farm houses with dirt floor crawl spaces and everything in-between.

You can be assured our mitigation system will effectively lower your radon to below the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Most of our systems reduce the radon level to below 2 pCi/L. We use an independent, third party laboratory to confirm proper operation of the radon system, reducing the average radon level below 4 pCi/L.

There are usually two or more options to choose for the type of radon system and location of the radon vent pipes and radon fan. The two most common types of systems are the Standard Canadian Type System and the Standard American Type System both described above.

If live in central New York and you have questions or we can be of help give us a call.

Tom Francis 315-439-1103