Radioactive elements and isotopes, even in small quantities, can cause health problems in the population, animals, and the living world.
Radon is a radioactive gas without color, taste, and smell. All radon isotopes are radioactive, and there are over thirty different radon isotopes. It forms in the soil and is a consequence of the radioactive decay of uranium, which founds in rocks and soil.
The level of radon in nature is small but indoors can reach high concentrations. As a chemically inert gas, radon leaves the place of formation (soil, construction material, water) and passes into the atmosphere.
Therefore, removing radon gas from houses is of first-class importance.
Modern research has shown that 40% of the total radiation dose form by inhalation of natural radioactive gas Rn. Exposure to radon in higher concentrations and over a long period, especially in areas with uranium mineral deposits, may increase the chance of developing cancer lungs.
Radon belongs to the same group of cancer causes as asbestos and tobacco smoke. Based on this, radon is one of the significant health risks to the population.
Below, read more about the possibilities of removing radon gas from your house.
Factors affecting indoor radon concentration
Radon enters the indoor space from these sources:
- by diffusion from the soil,
- diffusion from building materials,
- by diffusion from the water used in your house,
- from the atmosphere through vents,
- Through cracks in floors or upstairs at the joints of structures, cavities around pipes and cables, small hollow pores in walls, and through the sewer.
Significant factors are the quality of construction, type of construction, ventilation, and seasonal climate change.
Because of the harmful effects of radon, an important task is – protecting and removing radon gas. In today’s conditions, many human activities lead to increased radiation of radon gas and its side effects.
Preventive protection procedures are procedures to reduce the concentration to an acceptable level, and can be:
- radon collection and drainage system,
- improved ventilation under the floor,
- formation of overpressure in the building,
- closing openings and cracks,
- Improved ventilation in the building.
5 Steps on How to remove radon from home
Step 1: Testing for Radon
Testing for the presence of radon in your house is the first thing you should do when attempting to get rid of it. You may get radon testing kits at your neighborhood hardware shop or on the internet. The test requires you to take samples of the air in your house using the provided kit over the course of a few days, after which you will send the kit to a lab for examination. Your home’s radon level will be detailed in a report that the laboratory will provide to you upon completion of the test.
Step 2: Hiring a Radon Mitigation Professional
If the results of the test reveal that your house has high levels of radon, the next step is to call a professional radon mitigation contractor. Radon may be mitigated in a number of ways. These specialists have the training and knowledge necessary to evaluate your property and figure out the strategy that will be most effective in getting rid of the radon.
Step 3: Radon Mitigation System Design
The radon mitigation contractor will create a customized radon mitigation system for your dwelling as part of their service. In most cases, the system will require the installation of a vent pipe and fan in order to remove the radon from underneath your house and discharge it into the air outside. In order to stop radon from getting inside the house, the mitigation system could also comprise caulking any fractures in the foundation or the walls.
Step 4: Radon Mitigation System Installation
Following the completion of the radon mitigation system’s design phase, the contractor will carry out the system’s installation. Depending on the degree of difficulty presented by the system, the installation procedure might take anywhere from one to two days to complete.
Step 5: Post-Mitigation Testing
It is critical to do additional radon testing after the installation of the radon abatement system in order to verify that the system is performing as intended and that radon levels have been reduced. at order to do a post-mitigation test, you will normally need to keep the test kit at your house for a few days before sending it out to be analyzed in a lab. After the system has been installed, the laboratory will give you a report that contains information regarding the amount of radon that is present in your house.
Step 6: Radon Mitigation System Maintenance
It is essential to do routine maintenance on your radon mitigation system in order to guarantee that it will continue to function in an efficient manner. You will receive instructions from the contractor on how to maintain the system, which may include instructions on how to change the filter, check the fan, and monitor the system’s operation.
DIY Ways on Removing radon gas from houses:
If you want to star removing radon gas in your own, you need to take the following procedures:
- making a plate as a membrane for a part with reduced pressure (the purpose of this system is to form a vacuum area under the foundation, where radon collects and drains through pipes outside to a safe place)
- use of mechanical barriers to the entry of gases (plastic foils and sealing foundations and cracks stop the entry of radon)
- Degradation of the air distribution system so that polluted air is not used.
Drainage of polluted gases outside the building is done through pipes. In most family houses, one drain pipe is sufficient. If the floor is permeable, more drain pipes are required. There are active and passive under pressure systems. If you need to know more about this, please see this link.
You need to have:
- Gas-permeable layer (layer usually 10 cm thick of clean, coarse gravel)
- Plastic foil (above the gas-permeable layer to prevent gas from entering the building)
- Ventilation pipe
- Sealing and closing cracks (all openings on the concrete bottom are closed to prevent gas from entering the building)
Increased air circulation under the floors, when the building has free space below ground, leads to dilution of radon.
How to Remove Radon from Home FAQs
How dangerous is radon?
Radon is a carcinogenic gas that, second only to smoking, is the largest cause of lung cancer in the United States. Since high levels of radon exposure over a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to your health, it is crucial to get your house tested for the presence of radon and to eliminate it if it is found.
How do I know if my home has radon?
Tests are the only way to determine whether or not radon is present in a residence. You may get radon test kits either online or in the hardware store in your neighborhood. The test requires you to take samples of the air in your house using the provided kit over the course of a few days, after which you will send the kit to a lab for examination.
Can I remove radon from my home myself?
Even while it is feasible for you to eliminate radon on your own in your house, doing so is not encouraged. It is crucial to find a professional radon mitigation contractor that has the skills and expertise to remove the radon from your house in the correct manner since radon mitigation includes sophisticated systems and processes. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
How long does it take to install a radon mitigation system?
Depending on how complicated the radon mitigation system is, the installation process normally takes between one and two days to complete.
How often should I test for radon?
It is advised that you have your home tested for radon every two years, or more regularly if you have made any changes to your home’s foundation or ventilation system. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. If you are buying or selling a house, it is critical that you get the property tested for radon.
Final Words
In conclusion, getting rid of radon in your house is essential for safeguarding your health as well as the health of the people you care about the most in your life. Radon in high concentrations can be dangerous, thus it is essential to take preventative measures as soon as possible. The first thing you should do is get your house checked for radon levels; if the results show that there is a high concentration, it is essential to work with a qualified radon mitigation contractor to get rid of the radon in your house.
You can guarantee that your house is a healthy and secure place to live by following these measures, which will allow you to do so. Keep in mind that radon is a sneaky killer; thus, you shouldn’t put off taking action until it’s too late.
