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Radon Mitigation FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ)
on radon reduction in homes, schools and office buildings.
Call us at (540) 943-2776 or email Infiltec your questions.

WARNING: This information is provided as a service to our potential customers, but Infiltec, Inc. can not be
responsible for its use or misuse. Infiltec Inc. does not provide radon mitigation or testing services.

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Q & A INDEX:

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Q & A:

Q: Will sealing slab cracks/openings reduce indoor radon levels?

A: Unfortunately, sealing slab cracks and openings does not generally have any significant effect in home indoor radon concentrations. This seems strange because we know that radon is mixed in soil gas and it is pulled into the house through cracks by slight pressure differences caused by wind, temperature differences and fan action. The problem is that sealing generally results in a higher concentration of radon in the soil gas, so that even though the sealing reduces the amount of soil gas that gets into the house, the same amount of radon gets in. And that means that the indoor radon concentration remains about the same! Occasionally sealing is partially effective, so you may want to try it. Be sure and use sealants that can stick to dirty concrete (like polyurethane caulks). Even if you are not successful, any slab sealing will increase the effectiveness of a fan powered radon mitigation system.

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Q: How much will it cost to fix my radon problem?

A: Your cost will depend a lot on where you are in the US. In areas where there are lot of radon contractors, like the Washington, DC metro area where Infiltec is located, the price may be as low as $800 for a standard subslab depressurization system. However, in areas where there are few radon contractors, the same system may cost two to three times more. Complicating factors that will increase the price include: crawl spaces with exposed dirt, multiple slabs, rock basement walls, sand beneath the slab, no aggregate beneath the slab, and pipe penetrations through fire rated walls. If your home repair skills are above average, you may want to consider do-it-yourself radon mitigation. You can buy all the parts you need for less than $250. See the Infiltec Radon Control Catalog for details.

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Q: How long will it take to fix my radon problem?

A: Most mitigation radon work is done during real estate transactions and must be completed quickly. A typical job takes about one man day, and the retest requires one day of closed house conditions, plus two or more days for the radon test. So you can generally get you house fixed and retested in about 4 days.

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Q: How do I find a replacement for my old radon fan?

A: Just find the make and model of your old fan, and then check out the drop-in-replacement table on our Radon Fan Guide page.

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Q: What are the RadonAway radon fan performance specifications?

A: You can find tables of power, pressure, and air flow performance specifications on our Radon Fan Guide page.

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Q: What skills do I need for do-it-yourself radon mitigation?

A: Installation of a typical Active Subslab Depressurization (ASD) radon mitigation system involves advanced home repair skills:

For more technical details, see our list of radon mitigation manuals.

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Q: How do I select the right fan for my radon mitigation system?

A: Radon fan selection for SubSlab Depressurization (SSD) systems is not an exact science because the performance depends primarily on the porosity of the material beneath the slab. In order to work, the SSD system must create a negative pressure under all parts of the slab so that soil gas containing radon can not leak into the house through slab cracks. Here are some Infiltec rules-of-thumb:

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Q: What are some common problems for do-it-yourselfers to avoid?

A: Here are some ways to avoid common problems when installing a typical SubSlab Depressurization (SSD) radon mitigation system:

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Q: What are the phone numbers for state and federal radon information?

A:

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Q: What should I do about radon in my well water?

A: Here are some links to Radon in Water Information:

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Your question could go here! Email the Infiltec radon guru today.

For further assistance, call Infiltec at (540) 943-2776 weekdays from 7 AM to 4 PM ET, or email: Infiltec Factory .
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| Home | New | Search | Links | Infiltec | Staff | Fun |
RADON CONTROL | About Radon | Radon FAQ | Pictures | Drawings | Fans | Water | Large Buildings | Radon Catalog |
AIR LEAKAGE | About Blower Doors | FAQ | Ducts | Fire | Large Buildings | Contractors | Blower Door Catalog |
OTHER INSTRUMENTS | Personal Seismometers | Infrasound Monitors |Micro-Manometers: Single Channel Dual Channel |

This page copyright © 1996-2016 by Infiltec Inc. all rights reserved. It was last updated on August 24, 2016.

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