Question:
Could a radon mitigation system be installed (aftermarket) by a couple of handy homeowners? Where would we get information on materials and procedures? Or do we need to hire a company to do this? Readings show 14 picocuries/liter, we need to bring it down to 4 or below. Any ballpark estimate on costs?
Response:
I see from your address that you are in the Front Range area. Me also. There are many contractors in the area who specialize in radon mitigation. Check the phone book, or with your city building dept. e.g., the city of Fort Collins is actively promoting radon mitigation, including holding workshops. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Could a radon mitigation system be installed (aftermarket) >by a couple of handy homeowners? Where would we get information >on materials and procedures? Or do we need to hire a company to >do this? >Readings show 14 picocuries/liter, we need to bring it >down to 4 or below. >Any ballpark estimate on costs?
Response:
>Could a radon mitigation system be installed (aftermarket) >by a couple of handy homeowners? Where would we get information >on materials and procedures? Or do we need to hire a company to >do this? >Readings show 14 picocuries/liter, we need to bring it >down to 4 or below. >Any ballpark estimate on costs?
I don’t know where to buy the stuff, nor have I done this, but……. I understand you rent a concrete hole saw and drill a 4" hole in your basement slab. Then using 4" PVC, run a tube from under the slab, up and out of your house. Somewhere in the tube, you need to install a fan to draw air from under the slab. The tube should exit the house above grade to vent the gases. Sounds reasonably easy. I am sure you could find an appropriate fan (not much air flow required). I would wonder about the optimal placement of the hole in the slab and how far above grade the exhaust is located. You should be able to hire someone to do this for $1000.
Response:
Excerpts from netnews.misc.consumers.house: 25-Aug-98 Radon mitigation > Could a radon mitigation system be installed (aftermarket) > by a couple of handy homeowners? Where would we get information > on materials and procedures? Or do we need to hire a company to > do this? > Readings show 14 picocuries/liter, we need to bring it > down to 4 or below. > Any ballpark estimate on costs?
Grainger catalog has radon ventilation fans for several hundres dollars (US). I almost did my own install but decided to have a firm do it for me to save on my time. It costs around $1K-$1.5K for a ventialtion system to be installed. I needed a hole in my foundation block for the 4" plastic pipe to pass through and already knew of the work involved because I put a similar hole in my block for a dryier vent in my old house. I choose the firm to do the work, they used a core drill. There is some electrical work involved also as the fan should be on an inside switch but located outside. They ran the vent pipe above the roof line as per the requirments around here, but it looks goofy. The firm also included post testing (testing after they installed the system). Assuming that your problem will be cured by ventilating under your slab, I say to try installing it yourself. Get estimates first and ask questions so you can see how the PROs would do it. Do the post testing by purchasing one of the newer continous monitors for about $50 then you will always know what levels you are at and won’t have to keep wasting money on purchasing other test kits and waiting for the results. Pete
Response:
>Excerpts from netnews.misc.consumers.house: 25-Aug-98 Radon mitigation > Could a radon mitigation system be installed (aftermarket) > by a couple of handy homeowners? Where would we get information > on materials and procedures? Or do we need to hire a company to > do this?
Air Chek Inc. sells a book on radon mitigation (http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_products.html). I bought the book & it looks easy enough, but I’ll be honest & say I haven’t mitigated my basement yet. I’m still waiting to finish a 9 month test to verify I really have excessive radon levels. Infiltec sells fans, etc. for radon reduction at http://www.infiltec.com/inf-catr.htm. > Any ballpark estimate on costs?
The people I bought my house from got two estimates, one $1200 and one closer to $2000. This was for a sub-slab suction system. John C.
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