Are you finally building your dream house or getting that addition to your house you’ve always wanted and wondering how to address a radon issue? New construction radon mitigation details add a valuable safety factor that will save homeowners time, aggravation, money- and their lives!
Radioactive radon gas emanates naturally from soil and rocks. It can be present anywhere in the U.S. and throughout the world. If high concentrations of radon accumulate inside a home, the risk of lung cancer increases significantly. Fortunately, it’s possible to test interior environments for radon concentration and reduce radon exposure to minimal levels using proven mitigation techniques.
Why Use Radon Resistant Construction?
Safety
Radon is a gas emitted from uranium underground that seeps into homes and businesses. Definitive research links radon exposure over time to serious health risks. Radon remediation may still be needed in some cases, but using radon-resistant construction materials and building techniques can lower the risks to new homeowners. So as a contractor, you can help prevent or reduce radon exposure.
Competitive Advantage
Employing radon-resistant materials and techniques can save the homeowner stress and additional costs in the long run. Though radon remediation is less expensive than many home improvement options, new homeowners will find an advantage and peace of mind in knowing that their home is less likely to need remediation later on. And if the vents are in place for a passive radon mitigation system, they can more easily have the system converted to an active system later.
6 Radon Eliminating Construction Techniques
- Install a gas permeable layer before the concrete slab is poured. This is usually a 6″ layer of clean gravel. The gravel is very porous and allows for simple air movement below the concrete slab. This will help the passive radon system move the radon and other soil gas without restriction.
- Install a vapor barrier above the gas-permeable layer before the concrete slab is poured. A minimum 6mil plastic membrane is recommended. Radon mitigation companies overlap all seams in plastic by at least 12″ and tape the seams with high-grade vinyl tape. Modern mitigation companies now use a 10mil true vapor barrier that is superior to the minimum 6mil visqueen.
- Install radon collection point with schedule #40 PVC pipe stub. Concrete to be poured around this pipe stub. It is extremely important to create a radon collection point that will not be impaired when concrete is poured. This is usually done by installing a soil gas collection pipe (drain-tile) or PVC tee.
- Seal and caulk radon entry points. After It is important to seal all visible cracks in the concrete floor, control joints, and cold joints (where the foundation meets the floor) using proper concrete caulk. If the home has a sump, it is a primary radon entry point and should be sealed air-tight with a proper sump cover. The sump cover should be removable in the event the sump needs to be worked on. Plumbing roughs are another radon entry point that should be sealed with a cover. Once plumbing work is complete it is important to seal around the pipes with concrete or expandable foam sealant.
- Install the radon vent pipe. When installing a passive radon system, it is important to install the radon vent pipe through an interior wall. As the home warms the pipe, a natural stack effect will occur to pull air through the pipe. This pulls the radon gas out of the soil. It is best practice to use 4″ PVC in radon-resistant new construction to allow for maximum CFM in the event the system is activated. The radon suction pipe should continue through interior walls to the attic space above the home or building in a location that will allow for future access. The vent stack should terminate through the roof at least ten feet from windows, doors or other openings to the building.
- Install an electrical junction box within reachable distance of the radon vent pipe in the attic. This will allow for an electrical source in the event the system is activated.
Reduce Radon in Your Colorado Home
It is important to use a radon mitigation contractor when using radon-resistant new construction techniques. Radon contractors know how to properly move the air below the building. Contact Pine Breeze Radon Mitigation today. The experts at Pine Breeze Radon Mitigation can test for radon or install radon mitigation systems to reduce your radon exposure.
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