Modern building practices have created homes and buildings with significantly better energy efficiency over the last few decades. The improvements to insulation and weather tight construction has reduced the air exchange rates in your home and workplace. As a result this has increased the health effects from building materials, mould and other contaminants. The build up of high radon levels has also become a prime concern.

 

What can be done:

• By using the specialized radon testing devices we would be able to locate areas where radon is getting into the home, such as cracks, windows and sump holes and seal the entry points.  Ater sealing off entry points it would be important to increase ventilation in your home. 

• We would install the most common and effective method of active sub-slab depressurization, since this is typically performed by a certified radon mitigator.  Northern Capital Radon Services has qualified Specialists that can do that for you.

• Once you have taken steps to reduce the radon level in your home all we would do a re-test to ensure it worked and the level in your home is below the Canadian Guideline of 200 becquerels per cubic metre."

 

The following is a brief explanation of the most reliable radon mitigation systems:

 

Sub-slab Depressurization System

 

This is a radon reduction system where the under floor of the concrete pad is placed under a negative pressure by operation of a radon fan. The radon laden air is removed and exhausted to the outside via a plenum created by gravel and in some cases a series of pipes placed underneath the concrete floor.

 

Sump Hole Suction Radon Removal System

 

Similar to the sub-slab depressurization method this radon reduction system exhausts radon laden air from the foundation weeping tile system via the sump pit. The air is exhausted to the exterior of the building.

 

Sealing

 

The sealing method involves sealing of all openings and penetrations through a concrete slab and walls. This would include all floor cracks, perimeter cracks, cracks around floor drains and jack posts and any other penetration that would allow a gas to flow. The sealing method may act only as a temporary fix or assist in the Sub-slab Depressurization System. Before considering sealing as the only radon reduction method, you should look at all your alternatives. You can, however, seal off large openings around sumps and utility pipes protruding through the concrete. It is possible that these fixes may sufficiently lower radon levels.