Radon Testing - Company Rec?

Submitted by lnbp2022 t3_z32l01 in ColumbiaMD

Hi all -- looking to get an expert into the home to inspect our existing active radon mitigation system and perform a radon test. Does anyone have any recommendations of companies that we could have come in?

Thanks!

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TinyHorseHands t1_ixjo6r2 wrote

I used Radon Resolvers recently. I felt the were a little pricey, but they showed up the same day I called, and had the mitigation system installed 5 days later. Only took them 4 or 5 hours, though it wasn't a particularly complex project.

I had an AirThings radon monitor running for a week prior to calling though, so I already knew my levels and I had already installed a sump cover.

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Samuel_L_Blackson t1_ixmfsia wrote

How much was it?

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TinyHorseHands t1_ixmnl2o wrote

$1225. They did have to do a run of pcv through basically the whole basement because I didn't want the vent to be in the front of the house, but still seems high. I didn't end up calling around like I should have because our levels were pretty alarming and these guys came right out, but I guarantee there are cheaper options.

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awdrgyjilz t1_ixk8iyn wrote

I would personally start with an Airthings Corentium to measure your radon ($136 on Amazon right now). Immediate results (once you’ve gotten a weeks worth of measurements) and the benefit of constant measurements going forward.

Or you could get the manual at home radon kits for $20-ish where you have to mail it to a lab and they send you the results after 1-2 weeks. Last time I had a company test for me, they just used one of these kits anyway.

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DanielLikesPlants t1_ixn47yg wrote

wtf ive never heard of radon gas before, this just happens randomly? wtf

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Rashaverik t1_ixoe2z9 wrote

You get Radon gas due to the uranium decay chain. Down in the ground we have minerals like granite which contain very small amounts of uranium. The uranium decays over time, releasing Radon.

Radon then usually gathers under foundations and in our area can make its way into basements. This is usually remediated in a simple way. They're use a venting system connected to a low point in your basement, likely your sump pump pit, seal it with plexiglass, and route a PVC pipe from there to the outside of your home with a fan that runs 24/7 that continually pulls out any particles to the outside.

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Rashaverik t1_ixoft5i wrote

Couple things I can recommend.

I had a 20+ year old remediation system on our home. There's kits you can purchase to perform the testing. The same kind of testing commercial companies will use.

If you're concerned about the exhaust motor/fan, there's a couple big name exhaust systems that are used by all the companies. Our old one was rated to last only between 15 and 20 years. I was surprised it lasted as long as it had, and was getting noisy, so I decided it best to replace it. I bought the newer more energy efficient replacement model and swapped it out. It's now whisper quiet. Even if you have limited electrical knowledge it's a rather easy fix. It might even be cheaper to have an electrician install it than a radon remediation company.

Also. Our home being older, when the most recent roof was changed, the vent exited below the roofline. If you want to be to code, the exhaust should be to the level of your roof and away from your home. Use PVC. For the end piece, buy something with a screen. I found multiple bird skeletons, maybe even part of a squirrel skeleton from creatures that entered the exhaust pipe and never made it out.

These are just suggestions if you're comfortable doing things yourself. I replaced the exhaust fan and pvc piping for around $400, including testing.

When in doubt, call a professional. Can't remember the name of the company, but they're either in Sykesville or Mt. Airy and came highly recommended.

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