How Not to Install an Air Radon Mitigation System

January was Radon Action Month, but my latest find is just as relevant in any cold month as we’re all still spending a lot of time indoors. In the video I shared last month, I noted that although radon can be deadly, there are things you can do as a homeowner to mitigate the danger. One such system involves a blower. The diagram below is taken from the EPA’s guide, “Consumer's Guide To Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home” (2016). It’s a really good illustration of how these systems are meant to work.

From the guide: “A radon vent fan connected to the suction pipes draws the radon gas from below the home and releases it into the outdoor air while simultaneously creating a negative pressure or vacuum beneath the slab. Common fan locations include unconditioned home and garage spaces, including attics and the exterior of the home.” https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf

I’ll add that another notable benefit of such properly-installed subsurface mitigation systems is that they help reduce moisture under the slab/basement floor. Unfortunately in this recent inspection, the blower is located inside the home, in the basement. As noted in the guide, the fan is meant to pull out the dangerous gasses via suction and then blow those concentrated radon gasses safely away from home. The EPA is very specific in recommending that the blower should not be located within the basement, and here’s why.

Air radon mitigation systems are mechanical systems. And mechanical systems are subject not only to the wear and tear of normal use, but sometimes they can be affected by activity around the unit, and even poor installation. Should the connection of any of those pipes fail, or if a pipe breaks free, or there's any sort of breach in the piping, that fan will blow concentrated radon gasses directly into the building.?

This is worse than letting the radon naturally rise up into the home unmitigated because the system is designed to forcefully vacuum the gasses from under the home. Put simply, this means more radon will enter the home than would have otherwise.? As the EPA suggests, the best place to put this is on the exterior or in an unoccupied attic that is well ventilated. If you should discover a similar setup in your own home, be sure to contact the contractor so that they can correct their installation.?

Wagner Inspection Is the only privately-owned Massachusetts company that is National Radon Board Certified (https://www.nrsb.org/) In Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. #radon #radontesting #problemsyoucantsee #indoorairquality #homeinspectorlife #homeinspectionfinds #inspection #homeinspection #MArealestate #CTrealestate #hartfordrealestate