eBook - Home Inspection Business from A to Z

HIB - Health Concerns - Radon Gas In Your Home - Buying a New Home? How to Protect Your Family from Radon - Part 2 - Home Inspection Business From A to Z

Guy Cozzi Published on 12 August 2011 Parent Category: Nemmar Real Estate Training Category: Home Inspection Business from A to Z - eBook

What are Radon-Resistant Features?

The techniques may vary for different foundations and site requirements, but the basic elements are shows in Figure 172.

Figure 172: Some Radon-Resistant Features For Homes

A. Gas Permeable Layer

This layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the material used is a 4-inch layer of clean gravel.

house cutaway

B. Plastic Sheeting

Plastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, the sheeting is placed over the crawlspace floor.

C. Sealing and Caulking

All openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil gas entry into the home.

D. Vent Pipe

A 3- or 4-inch gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases above the house.

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E. Junction Box

An electrical junction box is installed in case an electric venting fan is needed later.

Did You Know?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
High radon levels have been found in every State.
Levels can vary widely, even from home to home in the same neighborhood.
Radon levels can be lowered, and homes can be built radon-resistant.
What Can You Do?

Simple, inexpensive techniques can be used to lower radon levels and increase energy efficiency in your new home. Here are basic steps to follow when buying a new home.

Check Your Area's Radon Potential - Find out if you are buying a home in a high radon area. The Environmental Protection Agency's map of radon zones Figure 168: EPA Map of Radon Zones shows which areas have the greatest potential for elevated indoor radon readings. Homes in places with high radon potential, called Zone 1 areas, should be built with radon-resistant features.
Install a Radon Reduction System - Talk to your builder about installing a radon reduction system. You can obtain free copies of the EPA's Model Standards and architectural drawings and use them to explain the techniques to your builder. Let your builder know that the radon resistant features can be easily installed with common building practices and materials.
Remember: Test Your Home - Every new home should be tested for radon after occupancy. Test your home even if it has the radon resistant features. Test kits are inexpensive and may be purchased at your local hardware store. Or simply call the National Safety Council Radon Hotline at (800) SOS-RADON to order a test kit.
If Radon Levels Are Still High, Activate - If your home tests at 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or above, activate the system by installing an in-line fan. Call a local radon mitigator about installing the fan. Call your State radon office for a list of radon device companies that have met State requirements.

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