How Effective are Radon Systems?

If you’re in Connecticut, you have probably heard about the health effects and dangers of radon, and you may wonder whether radon systems are effective. The good news is that while there are risks associated with having radon in your home, professionally installed radon mitigation systems are very effective at reducing radon levels and keeping your family safe.

I’d like to talk about a few things regarding radon and radon systems in this article:

Understanding radon and its risks
How radon mitigation works
How effective radon systems are
The benefits of professional installation
How to maintain your radon system

At Radon Systems of CT, we take pride in keeping individuals and families in the Nutmeg State safe from radon. We work with folks who live in all types of homes, and we’re familiar with the architecture and the different types of radon equipment needed. We encourage you to call us if you need radon testing or a mitigation system.

We’re going to go over a lot of information about radon and its treatment, so sit back, relax, and keep reading!

Understanding Radon and Its Risks

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is released from the soil, rock, and water. It can easily enter homes through cracks in the foundation or floors. It can also come in through gaps around pipes and other small openings. The problem is that once it’s in your home, it tends to accumulate, sometimes to dangerous levels.

You don’t know that you have radon unless you test for it, which is something that my team does. Since it doesn’t smell or taste like anything, and it doesn’t damage any of your walls, flooring, ceilings, furniture, or other household surfaces, it’s likely not something you worry about. Unfortunately, radon comes with a major health risk – lung cancer.

As you inhale radon gas, the radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. Over a long period of time, usually many years, those particles can cause lung tissue damage, and that damage can lead to lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute says there may also be a link to leukemia from being exposed to radon.

Radon testing works by detecting how much radon is in the air. If your home’s radon levels are over 4 pCi/L, you’ll be advised to have radon mitigation performed as soon as possible.

How Radon Mitigation Systems Work

The solution to having high radon levels is to invest in a radon mitigation system. They work in a few different ways, mainly by preventing the gas from entering the home and also removing radon from the air inside of the home and releasing it outdoors, where it’s harmless. My team will be able to inspect your home to recommend the best type of radon system for you.

Types of Radon Mitigation Systems

There are three main types of radon mitigation systems:

Sub-slab depressurization: This method is best for homes with a concrete slab foundation. It involves installing a vent pipe through the slab into the soil underneath. There’s a fan attached to the pipe that draws the radon gas from the soil and expels it outside – preventing it from seeping up into the home.
Drain-tile suction: If your home has drain tiles around the foundation, we can connect a vent pipe to the tiles to collect the radon and then vent it outside. This is similar to sub-slab depressurization, but we’re using your existing drain tiles.
Sub-membrane depressurization: This is used when you have a crawl space. We place a membrane over the soil in the crawl space to create a barrier. A pipe and fan system is installed underneath the membrane to draw the radon out from under the sheet to release it outside – preventing the gas from getting into the house.

The type of foundation you have will determine which is the best type of radon system for your home.

Effectiveness of Radon Mitigation Systems

Radon mitigation systems are very effective at reducing indoor radon levels. In fact, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension says that an effective system can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99 percent – virtually eliminating the radon and the risk. With that being said, you should know about the factors that might affect the efficacy as well as some common challenges.

Factors Influencing Effectiveness

Type of system: The type of system used needs to correlate with the type of foundation and housing structure your home has.
Quality of installation: Your radon system will only work properly if it’s been installed by someone who understands how to do so properly. Look for a certified radon mitigation professional, like those at Radon Systems of CT.
Maintenance: You need to have your radon system checked regularly to ensure the fan is working and that the system is functioning correctly.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Improper installation: Don’t use just any contractor to install your radon system. Only rely on the services of an expert in the field, as improper installation can lead to system failure.
Sealing cracks and openings: If all of the cracks and openings in the foundation aren’t sealed, radon gas can continue to seep in. Make sure your radon specialist is thoroughly inspecting the foundation and sealing up any potential entry points.
Power outages: Your electric radon fans will stop working during power outages. If your home is prone to having the power go out, consider installing a battery backup system.

Benefits of Professional Installation

Hiring a professional to install your radon mitigation system offers a variety of benefits:

Knowledge of radon: Unlike a general contractor, a radon specialist will have in-depth knowledge of how radon gets into homes and how to prevent it from accumulating.
Specific training: We have been trained to assess the characteristics of individual homes, including those with uncommon layouts.
Familiarity with guidelines: We’re in-tune with not only the national regulations but also the local guidelines and best practices for mitigating radon.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance goes beyond the installation; it ensures that your radon system is continuing to work to keep you and your family safe. Some of the assurances you’ll get from us include:

Warranties: We offer warranties on our products and our workmanship, and we’ll fix anything that isn’t working with your radon system.
Follow-up testing: In order to make sure your system is effectively reducing radon levels, follow-up testing is done.
Maintenance and support: If you have any questions or concerns about your system, we’re happy to help. Also, we can check your system to be sure it’s working properly if you are unsure.

Maintaining Your Radon Mitigation System

It’s important to maintain your radon system and also to perform periodic testing.

Regular Maintenance Tips

Check the fan: Regularly check to make sure the fan is running and that it sounds as it should. If there are unusual noises or vibrations, give us a call.
Inspect seals and joints: Inspect the seals and joints around the vent pipes to make sure they are still intact. Reseal them if necessary.
Clean and clear vents: The exterior vent can get blocked by leaves, snow, or other debris. Make sure it’s clear, so the gas can continue to escape.
Professional inspections: Schedule an annual inspection, so we can perform a thorough check of the entire system and catch any problems early.

Importance of Periodic Testing

Periodic follow-up tests are important because they’ll let us know right away if your radon system isn’t working properly. We’ll be able to detect system failures and ensure your radon levels are still below 4 pCi/L. This is vital to maintaining your health and safety over time, as there will be no outward signs that radon has begun accumulating in your home again. Ask your specialist how frequently you should have your radon re-tested.

Conclusion

Radon is a serious issue, but it doesn’t have to keep you up at night worrying. Radon systems are very effective at mitigating high radon levels, and it’s a simple process to have one installed in your home. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for testing, and we can help you go from there to determine which type of mitigation equipment is right for you and your home.