Radon gas anyone?
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2LaneCruzer
Super Member
I would check with your local health department or Department of Environmental Quality; they may have some useful information. Keep in mind, that Radon gas is a by product of Uranium degradation...and as such, it could be coming in whole or part from the concrete itself, if the aggregate was quarried from a deposit high in radioactivity.
Einthewoods,
The air/gas is pulled from under the slab and is in the gravel bed. When that air is pulled out, it is replaced by air from your basement via cracks and gaps. Then air from doors and windows replaces that air. Thus cold air in, basement air out.
These fans have a rating of 170CFM, and not sucking 170 CFM from compacted dirt. The fan just creates a curtain of air flow under the slab pulling air and gas with it.
The air/gas is pulled from under the slab and is in the gravel bed. When that air is pulled out, it is replaced by air from your basement via cracks and gaps. Then air from doors and windows replaces that air. Thus cold air in, basement air out.
These fans have a rating of 170CFM, and not sucking 170 CFM from compacted dirt. The fan just creates a curtain of air flow under the slab pulling air and gas with it.
kcflhrc
Veteran Member
I never really thought of it pulling air from the basement, but I suppose with cracks and gaps that is possible, alhtough I think pretty minimal at best. Hopefully their is a nice bed of gravel under the slab and not just compacted dirt, so it would pull air through the gravel and quite possibly if drain tile is installed from there also. My house was built in 1970 so I really have no idea what's under there. I wasn't home when they installed our Radon System. They did a good job though and sealed everything up good.
kcfhrc,
That why I was saying, put you hand over the out flow pipe and get a feel how much its pulling. It's got to be coming from some where. An alternative, if you have a walkout basement you could drill a few 1/2 inch holes through the exterior wall under slab level. but then you'd have cold air under the slab. A 1/3 of my basement has gravel and foam insulation. maybe those floors would not feel cold?
That why I was saying, put you hand over the out flow pipe and get a feel how much its pulling. It's got to be coming from some where. An alternative, if you have a walkout basement you could drill a few 1/2 inch holes through the exterior wall under slab level. but then you'd have cold air under the slab. A 1/3 of my basement has gravel and foam insulation. maybe those floors would not feel cold?
buickanddeere
Super Member
We sometimes pickup radon on our boots and pant legs during and after a rain. When we try to exit the facility the whole body monitor will register more than 5 nano curries and declare us contaminated .
Members of the public on a tour just walking around . Invariably they become contaminated with radon more often than employees working at the site .
Members of the public on a tour just walking around . Invariably they become contaminated with radon more often than employees working at the site .
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RNeumann
Elite Member
Did I miss something or does the floor not have a vapor barrier?Without a vapor barrier it’s going to be difficult to remediate the radon. Concrete is a porous sponge- it is anything but a water and or vapor barrier.
Yes I’ve installed radon systems.
Yes I’ve installed radon systems.
Einthewoods
Gold Member
I'm nor trying to sell you anything, and not trying to convince anyone of anything either. I have lived in two different homes with radon mitigation systems. Never once did I ever notice cooling because of them. Is it possible to lose heat, sure. Should you be taking care of cracks and such letting cold air into your house? Of course, regardless of radon systems.
I would rather deal with heat loss than suck down radon.