Radon Gas - anyone deal with it?

efficientPV · May 4, 2023

There is an old mine in Butte Montana that is operated as a health spa and people pay to lounge in radon gas to cure illness. Not good for young people, but there has been research on the curative properties of low dose radon gas.

peakbagger · May 4, 2023

There has been all sorts of research for all sorts of things like how cigarette smoking does not cause cancer. Nevertheless, current medical approach is its a cause of lung cancer in the general population in areas where home residents are exposed to long term levels over recomended action levels. People do all sorts of wacko cures and I think the radon mine spas is on the wacko side of science.

50ShadesOfDirt · May 4, 2023

Solar forums take interesting turns at times ...

Radon is everywhere ... depending on home construction methods, and given enough time, it could build up to a level inside your home that can cause harm. Research it on various construction & government sites until you fully understand the problem. Home construction, realty folks in your area may or may not yet be dealing with the issue at their levels, as in, all homes now built with radon mitigation, and all sales now including radon in the sales process (inspection, review of radon mitigation efforts, etc.)

However, before you do anything, monitor for it. A simple $100 or so device will continuously monitor the radon levels in your home, and these can be found on Amazon. If, over time, it shows the level to remain low and below safe number, then nothing need be done. If it shows radon building up beyond safe levels, then take action.

If at all possible, ventilate your home (open doors/windows), as outside air is sometimes the best thing (depending on where you live) to bring air quality back into line inside the home. You have to monitor for this as well, else you don't really know ...

Hope this helps ...

curiouscarbon · May 4, 2023

Have used radoneye devices before. One in basement, one in first floor living space, and one outdoors. Concentration outside was basically always low, first floor was low but gradual increase with extended HVAC fan blowing especially during winter, with the basement consistently above both others. Opening a window can often help, ignoring any other pollutants like pollen or particulate etc.

OzSolar · May 4, 2023

Ironically I'm in the middle of this right now and thought about asking you guys. My daughter just bought a house that had to get a radon system installed because it failed the pre buy inspection. It got me to wondering about my house so I ordered a short term test from Alpha Labs. $15, you set it up then mail back after 96 hours. **We came in at 8.3 so now I've deployed a long term test in the same location to see if we can repeat it**. We don't spend more than a few hours a week in the basement so at the moment I don't think it's a big deal but that could just be naivety.

**edited to note that I'm just following the testing lab's recomendation that at our level you should deploy a long term test before you mitigate**

JJJJ · May 4, 2023

Ours was professionally done. It closes off the sump pump well and pulls air from the drain pipe around the house and out through a fan driven pipe on the side of the house

peakbagger · May 4, 2023

As I mentioned, be very cautious about rushing to put in mitigation related to house sale. The actual equipment and fix is not that difficult but the when in rush, prices seems to go up considerably.

fortcollinsradonco · May 23, 2023

Since you spend most of your time on the main level of your house, it's advisable to conduct the radon test in the area where you spend the most time. This will give you a better understanding of the radon levels in the spaces where you are at the highest risk of exposure.

The cost can vary depending on factors like the size of your home, the specific system design, and the complexity of installation. It's recommended to consult with a professional radon mitigation contractor who can assess your home and provide an accurate cost estimate.

myles · May 26, 2023

simple fix, don't build a basement that could just flood anyway! :D

SparkyJJO · May 26, 2023

myles said:
simple fix, don't build a basement that could just flood anyway! :D

Dude if we didn't have a basement I have no idea where we'd put all our extra crap and storage! I guess the garage would have no chance of actually having the car in it...

OzSolar · May 26, 2023

myles said:
simple fix, don't build a basement that could just flood anyway! :D

? For many people building on hilly terrain just trying to get your site level results in adding or taking away a lot of dirt. You might as well build a basement while you’re at it. I basically doubled my square feet when I built my house for hardly any extra money. And since I live in tornado alley, we have a heck of a storm shelter now.

DIYrich · May 27, 2023

OzSolar said:
$15, you set it up then mail back after 96 hours. We came in at 8.3 so now I've deployed a long term test in the same location to see if we can repeat it.

The risk with short-term tests is that you test during a low period. If you test at 8, then you need to mitigate. The only thing to test might be to confirm you didn't get a bad test.

The cost to mitigate most homes is around $1,000. Exhaust pipes now look like gutter pipes, so blend in better. Get it done, and you don't have to worry about it. All new homes should have it done during construction.

peakbagger · May 27, 2023

The cost is lot more than $1000 if its in the water supply.

OzSolar · May 27, 2023

DIYrich said:
The risk with short-term tests is that you test during a low period. If you test at 8, then you need to mitigate. The only thing to test might be to confirm you didn't get a bad test.

The cost to mitigate most homes is around $1,000. Exhaust pipes now look like gutter pipes, so blend in better. Get it done, and you don't have to worry about it. All new homes should have it done during construction.

I agree however you appear to have missed the point of my post. Read it again.

Hedges · May 27, 2023

OzSolar said:
View attachment 147839

so you're left with basically two choices:
1) Mitigate the radon concentrations.
2) Don't smoke.

Which do do you think is the more economical?

Nobodybusiness · May 27, 2023

Hedges said:
so you're left with basically two choices:
1) Mitigate the radon concentrations.
2) Don't smoke.

Which do do you think is the more economical?

It’s a choice until it’s over 9 (I think) in NC then it’s mandatory.

JWLV · May 28, 2023

Here's a radon map that I pulled off the web from a Google search.
I suppose if you're in the areas that are red, then you might want to look into getting a radon test. If you're in the other areas, don't worry as much.

Danke · May 28, 2023

“Drs. Cuttler and Sanders conclude their plea for science-based home radon assessments thusly: "The EPA action level for reducing radon in homes is 14 times lower than the 'No Observed Adverse Effect Level' (NOAEL) estimated in this article. The very low action level has been causing undue fear and unwarranted costs to many homeowners as well as a reduction in the market prices of their radon-stigmatized homes. It should also be noted that radon remediation significantly increases lung cancer mortality. To dispel the fear and eliminate this economic burden, the action level should be raised by a factor of at least seven, where the health benefit is near optimum."

Many studies showing little to no danger.

Don't Fear Radon Concerns at Home; They're Overblown

Many homeowners and those buying property are concerned about potential radon-related health issues, specifically having to do with radiation exposure as a cause of cancer. A new publication by Dr. Jerry Cuttler, an advisor at the American Council, dispels that concern using science.

www.acsh.org

peakbagger · May 28, 2023

OzSolar said:
I agree however you appear to have missed the point of my post. Read it again.

I did read your post, you made a general observation on the cost to remove radon. Radon occurs from two distinct sources in most homes. Vents that look like gutters may work fine to remove soil gases coming into the basement but will do nothing to deal with radon coming in with a water supply. In most cases the radon coming in with the water is more of an issue as it comes out readily in showers and fixtures directly into the occupants face. Subslab ventilation is not going to do a lot for radon introduced into the building from water.

OzSolar · May 28, 2023

peakbagger said:
I did read your post, you made a general observation on the cost to remove radon.

I don’t see where I made any observations, general or specific, about the cost to remove radon. ?‍

Radon Gas - anyone deal with it?

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