North Point Radon Q&A

Radon is a naturally occurring gas formed from uranium breaking down in soil and rock. Radon exposure is also one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. While detecting this carcinogenic gas is a top priority, it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, making radon testing essential.

Radon is naturally occurring, resulting from uranium breaking down in soil and rock. This invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas is also found in homes across the United States and can vary from house to house. So, while you may have high radon levels, your neighbors could have completely different results. That is why North Point Radon uses a continuous radon detector to accurately identify radon gas in Greater Rockies & Plains Region areas.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that seeps into buildings through cracks in the foundation and accumulates to dangerous levels. Radon mitigation is a strategy to reduce radon levels in buildings or homes, protecting those inside from dangerous exposure. A common mitigation method creates negative pressure under the property’s foundation, using a fan to draw radon gas from beneath the house and vent it outside, preventing radon from going inside and ensuring the air is safe to breathe.

North Point Radon custom designs radon mitigation systems to reduce the hazardous gas by safely venting it outside. Here is how the process works:

• We perform radon testing and provide a mitigation consultation, including a structural analysis, allowing us to create a system that addresses radon potency and entryways, geographical concerns, property layout, building ventilation rate, and other unique factors.
• We address the stack effect, the natural flow of air and radon gas in your home, which moves upwards. This phenomenon pulls air up from lower levels, into living spaces, and out through the attic and upper levels. To address this, we depressurize the soil beneath your structure.
• We redirect radon gas away from the home. First, we drill a hole into the concrete foundation slab, basement floor, or surrounding earth to create a suction point (multiple suction points may be necessary). Then we connect a PVC pipe where radon gas travels. After, it either goes through the house or outside.
• We vent radon gas away from the home through a pipe, running it through a fan in the attic or along the top of the structure. From there, radon is directed outside.
• We seal radon entry ways, including cracks, gaps, and openings, with a urethane caulking compound.
• We perform a final system analysis, checking the fan and other key system details, to ensure the radon mitigation system functions according to current industry standards.
• Once the radon mitigation system installation is complete, we perform a test using a continuous radon detector within 30 days, ensuring everything is working.

Yes, in a good way! Many homebuyers request radon testing as a part of an inspection. Homes with an existing radon mitigation system are often more desirable, since a safety issue was addressed, making the home easier to sell by reassuring potential buyers.

North Point Radon professionally installs radon mitigation systems in areas where the gas typically enters the property, such as the basement or crawl space. It features a vent pipe that extends from the ground below the foundation to above the roofline to expel the gas outside and safely away from the home or building. Plus, the radon fan depressurizes under the home and can go inside the attic or outside. Overall, these are just some elements to divert radon gas from under the property to the open air outside.

Radon mitigation in new construction involves integrating design features and building practices that prevent radon gas from entering homes and buildings from the ground. These proactive measures help ensure indoor air quality and safeguard occupants’ health. Key strategies include:

• Soil Gas Collection Matting: Installing Soil Gas Collection Matting beneath the foundation creates a pathway for radon to move freely and be diverted before it enters the home.
• Vapor Barrier: A high-density polyethylene sheet is placed on top of the soil gas collection piping/matting. The Vapor Barrier ensures the negative pressure created by the Radon fan is more effective. Preventing the Radon from seeping through the Vapor Barrier diverts more of the soil gas into the system, increasing the efficiency of the Radon mitigation system.
• Sealing and Caulking: All openings in the concrete foundation floor and walls, such as around pipes, joints, and cracks, are sealed to minimize radon entry points and also increase the efficiency of the Radon mitigation system.
• Vent Pipe: A vertical PVC pipe runs from the Soil Gas Collection Matting Riser through the building to the roof. This pipe allows radon to safely escape into the atmosphere.
• Ventilation Fan: In active radon mitigation systems, an in-line Radon fan is installed in the vent pipe, in the attic or outside the building, to create a low-pressure zone and actively draw radon from beneath the building and exhaust it outside.
• Electrical Junction Box: An electrical junction box is installed in the attic or another appropriate location to facilitate the installation of a vent fan if needed in the future, converting a passive system to an active one.

By incorporating these features into new construction, buildings are better protected against radon infiltration from the outset. These measures are cost-effective during construction and ensure long-term health benefits for occupants. Regular radon testing is still recommended after construction to verify the effectiveness of these mitigation strategies.

Yes, we offer a free radon mitigation estimate during your consultation. In that appointment, we will inspect your home, review your radon test results, and explain the best mitigation options for your specific situation. After, we’ll provide a clear estimate so you know exactly what to expect.