Radon Mitigation
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas formed in the ground from the decay of uranium. Since there are trace amounts of uranium in all soil, radon is found all over the planet. Most of the gas stays underground, but a small percentage migrates to the surface. Most of the radon is diluted in the atmosphere to very low concentrations, but it can build up to high concentrations in some buildings. The amount of radon reaching a house (or school or office building) depends upon the amount of uranium in the ground and on how easily the gas can travel through the soil. Once at the foundation of a building, the soil gas can be drawn inside by small pressure differences, as there are always some cracks and penetrations in a structure. Buildings are all unique and each one sits on its own piece of ground. The only way to know what the radon levels are inside a building is to measure them. Two structures side-by-side can have totally different radon levels.
Radon can enter a structure through the following migration routes:
- Cracks in solid floors
- Construction joints
- Cracks in walls
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Gaps around service pipes
- Cavities inside walls
- Emanation from construction materials
- The water supplies
High concentration of radon has been shown to give the lungs enough radiation dose to increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon gas is just about everywhere; as of current times we are more exposed to radon concentration than any other previously recorded time, this is mainly due to how we are building today (methods used). Airtight building shell with poor ventilation, building contaminated materials and natural materials such as stones (granite, gravel to name a few) or even ground water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in conjunction with other entities have designed different programs to train contractors and/ or radon specialist to reduce the radon levels inside living spaces. Radon mitigators must be certified and/ or approved by National programs or States to perform any radon related activity when required.
There are some approaches to deal with high levels of radon: Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) in order to reduce the radon levels as low as reasonable possible are SSD, BWD, DTD, SMD. These systems will always be in contact with the ground creating a negative pressure. Power mechanical ventilation or passive will be another approach that might be used when dealing with radon levels from diffusion or emanation form building material.
Our company holds a radon mitigation specialist license, and we are one of the few companies out there performing this type of jobs statewide. Radon reduction has become one of our primary service when talking about client’s satisfaction.
Detcom Home Inspections & Radon Solutions RB2566
Radon Mitigation Specialist/ Contractor
Jorge L. Gonzalez R2523 R2563
