Radon Gases and How to Seal Your Basement to Prevent Radon Gas

The purpose of Radon mitigation is to remove Radon in the home or building to a level that does not increase the risk of lung cancer. There are many factors that determine the level of Radon present in an environment. Some of these factors include the age of the building or home, its proximity to the earth's surface, the soil where the building is built, the quality of the soil, and the concentration of Radon in the air. Although Radon is extremely dangerous, it is not a health risk to humans. It is, however, highly inconvenient and can significantly increase the cost of operating a home or office. A Radon mitigation specialist will perform Radon mitigation Nashville, TN to keep the environment safe, by removing Radon and replacing it with a less harmful substance, such as inert gases or solid particulates.

Two Methods of Radon Mitigation 

There are two main methods for Radon mitigation: venting and suction. Each method has its pros and cons.

Venting Method

Venting removes Radon through the use of a chimney or vent pipe. The high levels of Radon escaping into the atmosphere pose a serious risk to human health, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains. This type of Radon mitigation involves opening up the gas passage and then allowing the gas to escape through a special valve or 'valve'. This allows the gas to vent out of the building but does not affect the amount of Radon being emitted into the atmosphere.

Suction Method 

Suction is the other method of Radon mitigation, which uses high-powered water jets to remove Radon from the air. High-pressure water jets are used to rid the building materials of Radon by using very high pressure to blast particles of Radon 222 out of the building materials. This method can remove up to ninety-five per cent of Radon concentrations from the air. However, high concentrations of Radon can still build up inside the building materials, and continued use of this method can cause lung cancer.

How can a Radon Reduction System help Remove Radon in your home? 

To ensure that the highest concentration of Radon can be removed from the air, a Radon Reduction System or RRS is used in conjunction with vent fans and an air conditioner. When combined, the Radon Reduction System reduces the concentration of Radon in the air by up to ninety-five per cent, and the air conditioner optimizes the temperature of the indoor environment by controlling the internal temperature. Many homeowners choose to install their own Radon Reduction Systems to eliminate the need for outside ventilation. However, for renters or tenants with shared ownership of a residential property, it is often necessary to install a mechanical ventilation system such as a Radon Reduction ventilation fan and an air conditioner to adequately remove Radon.

In order to protect the wall and flooring of the home from Radon build up, it is advisable to seal the base and top of any basement, attic, or garage using plastic sheeting or fiberglass. This is accomplished by cutting out a small hole in the bottom of the plastic sheeting and attaching a long suction tube into the hole. The tube is connected to a small machine that sucks the gas up through the plastic sheet while it is being pulled through the suction hole. Once the gas is pulled up and away from the walls, a second, larger tube is connected to the same hole, sucking up the Radon gas in the process.

Radon gas can become trapped in a house through several means. Radon can seep into the earth's surface through cracks in concrete or mortar and can travel under the ground through loose soil. Sealing the soil around houses helps prevent Radon build up by stopping any gaps or openings where Radon can accumulate. sealing the earth helps prevent Radon gas from leaking out and accumulating in the atmosphere causing health problems for people living in the home. Proper sealing can prevent all Radon types of gaseous pollution from entering a home.

Radon Mitigation - Protects Your Family From Harmful Gases 

There are a number of radon companies out there to choose from. You want to work with one of the experienced and most reputable companies possible. They will come to your home or building to perform an initial radon test, determine the levels of radon present, and then determine how best to implement the various radon mitigation systems. If you are considering a mitigation system for the first time, it's important to choose an experienced contractor to avoid making costly mistakes.

How do you look for Radon Testing Companies? 

A good place to start your search for radon mitigation contractors is with your state department of Health. Each state has different health department requirements when it comes to radon gas mitigation contractors. The rules and regulations can vary depending on whether you are located in a residential or commercial building. In either case, the contractors that you choose should be trained and licensed to work with the local regulations. The contractors should also be familiar with the requirements of the state department of a building inspection as well.

When you contact radon mitigation companies and foundation contractors near me, make sure you are prepared to answer questions about what kind of training and certification they will require of them. For example, some states require that contractors hire certified EPA-approved contractors to install the systems, while others don't. The types of radon emission monitors used by these contractors can vary quite a bit.

How do Radon Companies Compute Cost? 

One of the main ways that radon companies determine the radon system cost is by assessing the total area that they need to cover in order to adequately complete the radon mitigation process. It is important to note that the amount of coverage that a contractor requires will likely depend upon whether the home is finished or unfinished. If the home has been finished, the radon levels will typically be much lower than if the home was unfinished because the home is already built. If you have issues with radon levels currently, you may want to talk with the radon remediation company regarding a radon mitigation system that is designed to reduce the levels at the top of the home, rather than covering the entire house.

Another way that radon companies determine the radon test cost of real estate transactions is by performing a thorough investigation of the property. This includes performing soil and water testing as well as collecting any pet litters or other types of debris that may be impacted during the construction process. The agents will also review the building plan for compliance with the local building codes as well as perform a title search to determine the authenticity of the deed. A thorough investigation will also include the review of the radon records to see if there are any discrepancies between the information on the records and the radon maps provided by the radon companies. There are even times when radon will show up even after a home has been newly constructed.

Some homeowners may be worried about purchasing a new home because of the high radon levels associated with pre-existing homes in their neighborhood. In these cases, the radon mitigation contractor will have to take the situation into his or her own hands and get the new home inspected for radon mitigation. Even though the radon levels will be significantly lower in a new home than they would be in an older one, the homeowner still has to purchase a home that is compliant with local health regulations. This could mean that a new home that was built with low-levels of radon but has new carpeting installed would still need to undergo the radon mitigation process.



Although it can be expensive to hire radon mitigation professionals, the benefits will far outweigh the costs. Radon causes lung cancer and other serious medical conditions, and this is a preventable and manageable condition that anyone can contract. By contracting a radon mitigation system, homeowners can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their family is protected against this potentially deadly gas. The remediation process is much more affordable than having to replace the existing building and can be completed quickly so that the new occupants can be in your house before the summer rolls around and all the bugs are out.