When you and your trusted radon abatement contractor are considering mitigation systems for your home, there are several factors you need to consider. One of the most important factors you will base your decision on is your home’s foundation type. Know how your home’s foundation type is related to your radon mitigation system and you will be better able to choose the right system.
Basement and Slab-on-Grade Homes
Homes with a basement foundation and a slab-on-grade foundation will typically use a type of soil suction for radon reduction. As you may guess, a basement foundation is when a house has a section of the home and the foundation beneath ground level. With a slab-on-grade foundation, concrete is poured at ground level to create a foundation.
Either of these foundation types will usually need one of four types of soil suction: subslab suction, drain-tile suction, sump-hole suction, or block-wall suction. Active subslab suction is one of the most common and reliable methods of radon mitigation. A radon mitigation company will insert suction pipes through the floor slab into the soil or crushed rock underneath and connect a radon vent fan to draw the dangerous gas from below your home and into the outdoor air. This method creates a vacuum beneath the slab to continually mitigate radon levels. Passive subslab suction uses a similar method, but relies on pressure differentials in the home instead of a fan to draw radon up from below the home.
Drain-tile suction can be effective for homes with drain tiles or perforated pipes that direct water away from your home’s foundation. A mitigation system can use suction on these tiles or pipes to reduce radon levels. A similar technique can be used with a basement’s sump pump, resulting in sump-hole suction. Basement homes with hollow block foundation walls can use block-wall suction to remove radon and depressurize the block wall.
Crawlspace Homes
If your home has a shallow unfinished space under the first floor, you have a crawlspace home. To reduce radon levels, contractors will often cover the earth floor with a high-density plastic sheet. They then install a vent pipe and fan to draw the radon from under the sheet and into the outdoors. Known as submembrane suction, this is the most effective way to reduce a crawlspace home’s radon levels.
Another option is active crawlspace depressurization, in which contractors use a fan to draw out air directly from the crawlspace. However, this technique is not always effective and may result in increased energy costs as the home loses conditioned air.
With approximately one in 15 U.S. homes estimated to have radon levels at or above the EPA action level, it is extremely important to take the steps to protect your home from radon. Whether you need radon testing or to have an entire mitigation system installed, call Affordable Radon Colorado for an expert’s touch today.
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