Growing up you heard about radon but until you read what it is and where it comes from you really cant appreciate the seriousness of it. I never realized it is always around us, I just thought it was an issue “some” houses had. I am on my third home and had I known then what I know now, the increased chance of getting lung caner and that radon is the cause of over 14,000 deaths a year, I would have paid a lot more attention to that portion of the home inspection. I even question if there some validity to staying away from granite counter tops? I will be testing my home again very soon.
The image for this essay is of a fracture in the garage. I wanted to be able to point out to the customer that the fracture on the garage floor would become possible entryway radon to be able the home.
This essay is on the title “Radon”. It is great to have participated in the training for radon testing. It is alarming to read the statistics Radon and how it is the second cause of cancer deaths next to smoking. In my opinion, there needs to be more education or more awareness to get this information out there. Not to cause a scare but to inform people.
What you see installed here is an active radon mitigation system. It uses a fan to suck all the radon gases from underneath the house.The vent pipe stretches from in the soil under the lowest layer of the house up to above the roof.
From taking a look at the architectural drawing of an active radon system, I’ve learned a little more about what the system looks like and how it functions. The diagram shows more clearly how it is installed and how it filters radon out of the home.
The picture included in this essay is that of a Corentium Pro Radon Monitor. This is a more modern version for professional radon testing and monitoring. The unit is calibrated to meet all NRPP annual calibration requirements. This unit is battery operated which allows for easy testing.
I used the image of a correctly installed Radon System Rain Cap. By viewing and inspecting this image we learn exactly how the outside forces influence and protect the piping systems interior. This will make future inspections easier to identify correctly installed caps.
Sun nuclear model 1028 is an example of a continuous radon monitor. It is designed to be fully programmable by the user. PC software can be used to obtain reports of prior tests. The sun nuclear model 1028 has been used commercially since 1986.
As much as half of energy use goes towards heating or cooling your house and 11% of this energy budget goes towards lighting. Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. Toilets are responsible for 30-40% of water usage in a home. About one third of heat loss occurs through windows and doors.
The image taken shows a exterior radon mitigation system.
Each radon mitigation system design varies depending on the structure of your home. Homes are generally categorized according to their foundation design. The existence of a basement, crawl space, or slab all determine the proper mitigation system needed.
Most common Radon mitigation procedures involve forces being redirected by the stack effect. After the stack affect has occurred radon gases must be redirected and then vented up and away from the home. For radon mitigation to work successfully the home must be sealed properly to help prevent against the re-entry of radon gases.
Today I learned about Radon Gases through the InterNACHI Radon article.
After reading the article I had learned some new things like Radon gas is the second leading cause for lung cancer behind smoking & it comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and gets into the air you breathe. Radon gases can even be found in some granite kitchen counter tops.
I had also learned that most soils contain uranium that, over time, decays to produce radium and polonium. Eventually, polonium is released with the radon, which creates a high toxicity level in the air and water that it infuses. Perhaps some homeowners are thinking they could recognize high levels of radon in their home. Unfortunately, radon is completely undetectable with any human senses. We cannot smell, taste, see, touch, or hear radon. Thus, it easily goes unnoticed. When this happens, everyone in the home becomes susceptible to contracting lung cancer. There are also very limited lung cancer symptoms. Even at that, they tend to lie dormant until becoming more severe.
I am writing an essay on The Dangers of Calling Yourself an Expert. I enjoyed your article, but I believe or maybe I should hope that I am to humble to make a mistake like that. I do not mind using the word certified or professional, because I feel that with my background and the help of interNACHI I have achieved that status. The attitude I am taking into my new business is I am a human and I make mistakes, but I am going to provide my clients with the best possible services that I can. I would like to share a Bible Verse with you that I strive to live by, Colossians 3:23 NIV, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for man. In other words I will do the best I can in all things, as a professional, as far as an expert I am not.
I know this isn’t the best pic, but it is from a friends home. It is the top of his vent stack on a radon venting system that he installed. He installed the system on his own. The system is run from under the slab in his basement, where he bored a hole through the concrete and ran the pipe thru a pantry, into the attic, and exiting the roof. His system is a straight run from the basement to the outside. This is a active system, in that he installed a fan in the attic. He explained that he actually has never had a radon test performed, but put the system in to be on the safe side. I am hoping, Lord willing, after I receive my certification and begin to provide this service, to offer him a radon test at no charge for my first one…
After further research of a properly installed radon mitigation system, having the mitigation fan inside the basement could lead to possible failure. If the seal of the fan/blower becomes compromised that could lead to radon gas pumping into the home at an eccelerated rate. The fan must be placed either outside or the highest possible space of the the home, which could be the attic. Contacting a radon mitigation specialist is of the utmost importance. Trying to complete this task on your own could lead to possible system failure or create a hazardous condition. Yearly maintenance and re-testing is advised to ensure the system is functioning to its full potential. Radon gas into the home should never be taken lightly. Discussing options with a professional should be the first plan of action. He or she will advise on EPA standards.
After completing the protocols for Realestate and non Realestate transactions, proper placement of a radon measurement system must be followed to the “T”. State and EPA guidelines should never be ignored as it can pose a serious health threat to the occupants of the home and or building. The radon testing unit, regardless of the type should be place at the lowest possible living area of the home. That would include, a basement, finished or not. If the home is on slab or a crawlspace, the testing unit should be placed in the main level. All doors and windows should remain closed prior too and during the testing phase.
The Radon checklist article reiterates many important points related to the need for testing and mitigation. I had not previously understood the direct correlation between Radon and lung cancer, but have seen many members of the older generations in my area develop it in their later years. Many of those same homes have recently had active mitigation systems installed when the properties most recently changed hands. I now realize the importance of having my own home tested and addressed, if necessary.
Testing for radon in the home is primarily done for real estate transactions. Radon is odorless, color less, and tasteless, therefore
Radon collection devices are needed to detect potentially harmful concentration levels in a home. I used a continuous radon monitor.
It can be used as a short term. Radon levels can vary by hour, season, weather conditions, climate, ventilation and with the use of heating and air conditioning system. An initial short-term test should be conducted to determine the need for further radon testing or mitigation
The placement of the CRM should be in the lowest livable level of the home. The CRM should be three feet from the exterior doors and windows one foot from exterior walls and twenty inches above the floor.
Four inches away from other objects and not placed in the bathroom or kitchen.
The image shown is an example of an improper radon remediation installation. this class has taught me that to prevent re-entrainment of radon, the point of discharge from vents of fan-powered soil depressurization and block-wall depressurization systems shall meet all of the following requirements:
be above the eaves of the roof; which it clearly does not
be 10 feet or more above ground level; which is just shy of making it in the image
This is clearly am improper installation of this type system.
Considering the EPA estimate that thousands of people die from lung cancer due to radon, and researching the possibilities of radon gas found in homes, I have come to the conclusion that:
You should have your home tested for radon; this is also advised for home buyers.
If the home if the radon level is 4pCi/L or higher, you should retest again after 24 hours but not more that 30 days later, using the short term method. If radon levels are higher that 4 pCi/L you should remediate. Even if the levels are lower than 4, it still poses a risk and remediation should still be considered.
While taking the course, I looked for test kits online. It’s amazing at the amount of tests there are out there. I have since ordered this one to do a radon test on home. I also made sure that it was ICA2 certified.
