4 Tips for Improving Radon Mitigation During Construction
If you aren’t familiar with the dangers of radon poisoning, we’ll explain them briefly: radon is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that can emerge from the earth and infiltrate a structure. If breathed in or consumed, radon increases the chance of developing lung cancer over time. The best time to deal with radon is during the construction of your new home. Here are four tips for improving radon mitigation during construction. Discuss them with your builder before you break ground.
Radon Mitigation’s Importance
New homes are better than old ones in a lot of ways, but they also have features that may lend themselves to radon issues. For example, new construction tends to be more airtight and energy-efficient. However, airtight also means radon that gets in through the foundation cannot escape. Installing a radon mitigation system during construction eliminates this problem and potentially saves lives!
Installing a Radon Barrier
A great first step for radon mitigation during construction involves adding a thick sheet of plastic before pouring the foundation slab. The sheet creates a strong line of defense between the house and the ground. Construction crews will ensure the sheet is sealed all the way around, even where pipes and utility lines enter the home.
Passive Radon Mitigation Systems
As the name implies, a passive radon mitigation system gets rid of radon without active, moving parts. Specifically, the building crew will install a venting pipe in the ground through a layer of gravel below the home’s future basement. The pipe runs from the ground to the roof, and radon gas can slowly rise through the pipe. At the top, it safely disperses into the air. It’s an effective means of radon mitigation but leaves room for improvement.
Active Radon Mitigation Systems
If radon tests reveal a property has high levels of radon, a passive system may not be sufficient. Active radon mitigation systems are similar to passive ones but have a continuously operating fan. The fan forces radon up out of the ground, through the pipe, and into the outside air. It’s a more elegant and effective way of keeping the gas moving upwards and outwards. Active radon mitigation system fans are whisper-quiet, so you won’t have to deal with constant, distracting whirring sounds.
Ventilation and Sealing
The construction crew will ensure any cracks, gaps, or other openings in and around the foundation are sealed up so radon can’t creep in. Silicon-based and other caulks and sealants not only keep radon out but also keep in heat and conditioned air. You may ask the builders if there are ways to ensure air stays moving through the home, preventing radon from settling in the basement or elsewhere.
Those are our four tips for improving radon mitigation during construction. If you want to discuss radon mitigation systems for your future home, contact us today. We offer radon mitigation blowers and other equipment to keep you and your family safe and healthy in your new home!