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​Are you considering purchasing a home and unsure what a radon mitigation system is or whether the cost is worthwhile? You're in the correct place, then! In this article, you can find comprehensive information on radon mitigation systems.

​A radon mitigation system is a collection of procedures to lower or eliminate the amount of radon gas in a structure or house. The method extracts radon gas from the ground around the building's foundation and safely directs it elsewhere. A qualified radon contractor in Portland usually installs radon mitigation systems.

To lower the quantities of radon gas in a building, a variety of radon mitigation methods are available:
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• Active Sub-Slab Depressurization System (ASD): This is the most common and effective technology, which includes generating a vacuum beneath the building's foundation to remove radon gas and securely exhaust it outdoors. Before it can enter the building, the radon gas is drawn from the soil by a fan that is part of the ASD system.

 

• Passive Sub-Slab Depressurization System (PSD): This system is similar to the ASD system. However, it does not include a fan. Removing radon gas and expelling it outside depends on the normal pressure variations between the earth and the air inside the building.

 

• Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) System: A heat exchanger is used in this system to move heat from the indoor to the outdoor air. It exhausts stale air from inside the structure and brings in fresh air from the outside. By mixing the radon gas with clean outdoor air, HRV systems can lower radon levels in the environment.

 

• Natural Ventilation: With this method, you open windows and doors to let more air into a building. Although it is less effective than other systems and might not be the best option for places with high radon levels, this may assist lower radon levels.

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The best radon mitigation system will rely on the unique characteristics of the building, including the type of foundation, the amount of radon gas present, and other elements. A trained radon mitigation specialist can decide the ideal system for a certain building.

​Radon gas can cause numerous health issues and significantly contribute to lung cancer when absorbed for long periods. A radon mitigation system can greatly reduce the amount of radon gas in your house, improving indoor air quality and lowering the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

​If you purchase a home with a radon mitigation system, you can be confident that the radon gas levels are within acceptable ranges. After buying the house, you won't need to worry about the additional cost of adding a mitigation system.

​Homes with radon mitigation systems typically sell for more money than those without. This results from buyers actively looking for properties with installed radon mitigation systems as they become more aware of the risks of radon gas.

​Knowing that your house is safe and protected from the dangers of radon gas may put you at peace. Also, it is an excellent approach to safeguard your family's health, particularly if you have young children or elderly relatives residing in the house.

​While purchasing a home with a radon mitigation system has obvious advantages, there are also expenses involved in installing and maintaining the system. Considering these expenses is crucial when deciding whether to purchase a house with a radon mitigation system.

​The initial cost of installing a radon mitigation system might vary depending on the system type and the house size. The average cost of installation is between $1200 and $2500. The price could be greater if the house has a challenging foundation or if installing the system requires additional effort. However, this initial investment's long-term benefits include improved indoor air quality and family health protection.

​One of the most important factors to examine when purchasing a home with a radon mitigation system is the amount of radon in the home. The location, soil type, and home construction style are just a few variables that might affect radon levels. Before making a choice, it's crucial to have a professional radon test performed to ascertain the radon levels in the home.

​When determining whether to purchase a home with a radon mitigation system, your individual risk tolerance is a crucial consideration. Even though the radon levels are low, if you or a family member has a history of lung cancer or other respiratory difficulties, you should consider a home with a mitigation system. On the other hand, you might not require a home with a mitigation system if you are not concerned about the health hazards linked to radon exposure.

​Radon is known to cause lung cancer; after smoking, it is the second most common cause of lung cancer in the US. Tests are the only way to determine if a building has too much radon. If the radon levels are too high, a radon mitigation system should be implemented to lower them and ensure the air quality inside is safe.

​Radon is a radioactive gas made when uranium breaks down. It has no color or smell, so it can build up in buildings and make people inside sick.

Homes can get radon from:
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• Soil: Radon is in the soil and can get into homes through foundation cracks and holes.

 

• Building Materials: Concrete and bricks, for example, can have trace levels of uranium that can cause the production of radon.

 

• Water: Radon can dissolve and accumulate in water sources like wells and public water systems.

 

• Natural gas: Natural gas can infiltrate dwellings and contains trace radon levels.

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It's crucial to remember that not all homes have the same radon level, and even residences nearby can have significantly varying levels. You must have your home tested for radon to guarantee safe air quality.

Radon exposure can result in serious health issues and even death. It is the second most typical cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the most typical in smokers. The following are some ways that radon can be harmful to your health:
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• Lung cancer: Long-term exposure to high radon levels, particularly in smokers, can result in lung cancer. Radon is to blame for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the US.

 

• Other cancers: Leukemia is one malignancy linked to radon exposure.

 

• Breathing difficulties: Radon exposure can make breathing difficult and lead to coughing, wheezing, and other breathing difficulties.

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The consequences of radon on your health depend on how sensitive you are to it, how long and how much you are exposed to it. But over time, exposure to radon at any level can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. As a result, radon testing is crucial, and if the results show high levels, action should be taken.

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• Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) Systems: This is the most prevalent method of radon removal. It entails installing a vent pipe in a structure's basement or crawl space. The fan, connected to the pipe next, draws the radon gas from the ground before it can reach the building.
  
  
• Passive Radon Mitigation Systems: These systems are normally installed when a new building is constructed. A vapor barrier and vent pipes that allow radon gas to escape to the outside are examples of what they consist of.
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• Sealing Cracks and Openings: This method involves sealing all the cracks in the foundation, walls, and floors that could let radon gas into a building.
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​Radon mitigation systems are intended to lower radon levels in houses and other structures, but assessing their efficacy is crucial to ensure they're operating as intended. The first step in deciding whether a mitigation system is required is radon testing, and it's crucial to repeat the test after installation to ensure that the system is functioning properly.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises radon testing at least every two years and more frequently if levels have been high in the past or if the structure or its ventilation system has undergone any alterations. The lowest habitable level of the house, such as the basement or a first-floor room, should be chosen for testing.

Adherence to recognized testing protocols is crucial when assessing a radon mitigation system's efficacy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises employing a qualified radon measurement expert or a radon measurement instrument that has passed the agency's testing procedure and is listed on its list.
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The effectiveness of radon mitigation systems is likewise subject to standards. The most widely accepted standard is the ANSI/AARST Procedure for Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings, which outlines specific steps for determining a radon mitigation system's efficacy.