Radon / Discussions

Does radon gas have an odor?

...radon gas? Radon gas does not have an odor. The only way to know if you have radon gas in your home is to buy a radon detector. For radon mitigation, see here - How to remove radon gas from homes  

Posted by Linda Chisholm Nov. 6, 2024 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 3 responses

How do you install a radon barrier in a crawlspace with an uneven floor?

...radon barrier and passive radon stack installation video          This page will also be valuable – how to insulate and prevent mold in a crawl space The most important thing to do in a crawlspace is make sure it has a vapor barrier covering the dirt, which also acts as the radon barrier. Radon gas is heavier than air,...

Posted by Reinhart Bigl Nov. 29, 2021 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 1 response

How do you fix radon in a basement?

...radon gas from homes  and I am looking to get down and ensure no more radon comes in. At our house it can be higher on the higher (bedroom floors) is there a solution I can implement under my floor. While my basement is finished I am not going to overlook any opportunity to make my home a safer place for my babies. Tha...

Posted by Ej Weiss Aug. 11, 2021 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 3 responses

Can you use an HRV or ERV for radon removal in a dirt floor basement?

...radon gas in basements and crawlspaces, but given that you say your levels aren’t too high and you have a dirt floor, covering that with a radon evacuation tube below would be the cheapest and most effective way to reduce your radon gas levels. See here –  How to remove radon gas from basements and crawl spaces Radon i...

Posted by Douglas Touart March 1, 2021 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 1 response

Could a ductless heat recovery ventilator be used for radon mitigation?

...radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer, so there simply is no ‘safe’ amount. Removing radon at the source is always the most effective, that’s why sub-slab depressurization is one of the easiest ways to remove radon from existing basements that have no sub-slab radon barrier. Also, if you're looking for a really g...

Posted by Jim B Feb. 20, 2021 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 1 response

How do you do Radon mitigation when with insulating and ventilating a crawlspace?

...radon gas in homes –  How to remove radon gas from basements and crawl spaces Some of the radon mitigation techniques could be a DIY solution, particularly having a radon evacuation stack in the floor and covering it with a poly membrane, you will see more about it in the page above. Even that as a DIY technique would ...

Posted by Cathy Gaskins Feb. 17, 2021 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 2 responses

Is a vapor barrier necessary under a concrete slab with foam insulation and if so, where does go?

...Radon barrier radon evacuation stack is mandatory. To continue about radon – exposure to radon gas in homes is the second greatest cause of lung cancer. There is no way to test radon levels in a home before it is built and no way to install a barrier after a slab is poured, so I’d certainly install a radon barrier it i...

Posted by Grady 22 Aug. 17, 2019 Air and vapour barriers 3 responses

Can you Insulate a cinder block basement foundation with Rockwool?

...radon gas membrane (See our pages on Radon barriers in basements for more information). Then we would add rigid insulation panels, a stud wall with batts, and drywall with latex paint. But - the assembly you mention would work, however, we wouldn’t include the smart membrane in that case. The predominant source of humi...

Posted by Victor B June 19, 2019 Basements improvements 6 responses

Should I test my home for radon gas?

...radon exposure in homes is not limited to the air, it can also be present in water if you get your water from a well. Here are a couple of pages on our site where you can learn a bit more if you like  -  Mitigating radon gas in homes Mitigating radon gas in water National radon gas maps and database of high risk areas...

Posted by Mary Anne S March 5, 2019 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 4 responses

Should you seal all rods and penetrations for a radon barrier?

...Radon seal to provide a water and gas barrier before installing xps foam panels on the interior basement walls? Yes, to reduce radon levels in homes and have an effective radon barrier, you would need to seal all holes protruding through the radon barrier or membrane. And by that, please know I mean ‘do your best’ of c...

Posted by D H Dec. 25, 2020 Healthy indoor air quality 1 response

Do you have recommendations for radon sealing basement concrete & installing new flooring?

...Radon -- I have a radon issue and have recently installed an active depressurization mitigation system which is working well!  In re-doing floors there is an opportunity to futher seal the basement concrete floor against radon (and fill any cracks) prior to laying new flooring. The current slab I do not believe has any...

Posted by M N Sept. 1, 2020 Basements improvements 1 response

How do you fix radon and water infiltration in a dry stone foundation?

...radon readings, and if you are laying some crushed stone I would first put in a passive radon stack, then cover it all with a well sealed membrane. Read more here about removing radon gas from crawlspaces and basements.To get an idea of the different types of caulk and silicone sealants and which are best, see here ! T...

Posted by john flannery July 14, 2020 Foundation and basement improvements 5 responses

How do you lower high radon levels in a basement?

...radon gas from basements and crawl spaces There are some specific radon gas mitigation techniques for existing homes that are performed by processionals that specialize in it, which can often mean sub-slab depressurization. I would search radon mitigation, or radon removal services along with your local region to see i...

Posted by Uma Parekh May 22, 2020 Healthy indoor air quality 1 response

How do you install your own DIY radon mitigation system?

...radon? Here by the way are all our page all about mitigation –  Testing for radon gas in homes  and radon mitigation techniques for basements and crawlspaces Sub-slab depressurization is a great method for radon removal, but if the basement is not finished space, one mitigation strategy is installing a dedicated HRV ...

Posted by Ariel Fridman Jan. 27, 2020 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 1 response

Does a low radon air reading necessarily = low radon in well water?

...radon in well water. Thanks for your input. A low reading of radon gas in your air is great, and it’s certainly an indication that perhaps there isn't a lot of radon in your water, but I wouldn't consider it conclusive. Here is our page on radon gas in water that would be a wise starting place –  How to remove radon ga...

Posted by Steve Bull Jan. 4, 2020 Radon in Homes - Mitigation 5 responses

Is polyiso board or styrofoam best for insulating when finishing a basement in CO?

...radon levels we now want to use the room more. It's currently completely unfinished, nothing on the walls - what's the best way for us to finish and insulate our basement so it's easy to heat and doesn't get mold problems in the future? We're thinking of doing this job ourselves, do you think it's possible for reasonab...

Posted by Evan B. Nov. 21, 2019 Basements improvements 1 response