Radon levels in my house are slightly elevated. Right at broderline of what EPA reccommends for remediation. That is in sub basment since it is lowest finished level currently. I plan to begin using the full basement as a hobby room so suspect the levels are a little higher down there. I recently finished framing an addition to the house and decided to install a radon system since I would have access to interior walls and wouldn’t have to run a pipe up the outside of the house this way. I was hoping to get away with a passive system and not need a fan. But as it ended up, there are several twists and bends to clear framing and floor joists. Therefore, I think I need to add a fan . . .
1) Anyone experience in this have a particular brand of fan they like?
2) Nobody locally stocks much in the way of radon fans. Anyone have a source or online site they would recommend?
Any other advice anyone wants to offer with regards to installing this thing? The pipe is in with 3″PVC from the sump pit through the roof.
Thought someone here would have advice or words of wisdom. I’m still not entirely sure I trust all of the science behind the radon problem, but opted to play it safe since I will be spending a lot of time in the unfinished basement and 3″ PVC to make the run is relatively cheap and easy to do.
Replies
I think Fantech sells the fan you need. Can be ordered on the 'net. Of course you should also have an airtight cover for the sump pit.
If your numbers are "borderline" then you likely have nothing to worry about, health-wise, but it won't hurt (too much) to mitigate, if the opportunity is there.
Edited 4/18/2007 8:56 am by DanH
If you effect adequate air changes, it's a non-issue. Air changes are what every house needs anyway. We do a total air change every 2 hrs with a tiny air system, outgoing air conditioning the incoming air.
Ours is a moderate risk radon area, underground house.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
The radon level in my house was a little high on inspection, and I had a remediation contractor all ready to go, but bailed when I saw how ugly the proposed intstallation was going to be.
Instead I had the sewer clean out re-piped, and sealed the hole in the basement floor (the cleanout had been under the floor). The basement windows are also sealed shut (it's a full basement) and I run a de-humidifier in the summer instead of opening the windows.
Testing since has shown levels nicely below action level. I am testing again now as we speak. If the levels aren't that bad, there are many things you can do short of a system: sealing the basement, including painting the floor and walls, and sealing windows, to provide slightly higher air pressure inside the house and basement and help prevent gas infiltration from below.
As to the previous poster, for a retro-fit air changes may not be what you need - the more air that leaves the house, the lower the air pressure inside will be - allowing higher pressure gas built up under the slab to enter. If the air pressure in the house is higher than the pressure underneath, the radon won't infiltrate. That's why if you have radon and you have a fan in a basement window, blowing air out will actually cause more radon to pass up through the slab.
So I have been told, anyway - - -
Edited 4/18/2007 10:50 am ET by RickD
But, re the OP's situation, if you're lucky enough to have sub-slab tile draining into a conveniently situated sump, adding a vacuum pump (or maybe just a passive vent) to that is both cheap and effective. Silly to try anything else until you've tried and failed with that aproach.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
sub-slab tile draining into a conveniently situated sump ?
didn't see that - if that's the case you're right.