Mitch, I don't think there is anything wrong with capping and venting one's sump. If as a side benefit, I have zero detectable radon...problem solved!
So, I agree. But, I took a shortcut that appears to have worked very well. For people who want a third party to guarantee a solution, then there are contractors who will do the work - whatever that entails. In Canada, there are federal heath recommendations for exposure to Radon. The standard in Canada aligns with EU at 200 Bq/m^3. My house reads at 15 Bq/m^3, which is the atmospheric level. On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 9:11 AM, Mitch Parker <mbp...@gmail.com> wrote: > Steve, > > That is a known carcinogen. Removal of that has to be detailed and is > expensive. I worked in a building undergoing abatement years ago. Combine > that with the Americans with Disabilities Act regs and Its cheaper to knock > down older buildings and replace them. > > On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 9:07 AM Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> thanks Mitch; >> Shocking that it isn't in the building code at all, really. >> I have similar thoughts about asbestos - which is safe to install >> apparently but expensive as heck to get rid of. >> >> My friend with the 2700 Bq/m^3 reading - just bought his house - from >> family! ouch. >> >> >> >> On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 8:12 AM, Mitch Parker <mbp...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > We discovered this when selling our house and after we had raised >> > infants >> > there. Putting the fan in was not even a question. This should be >> > mandatory >> > for buying a house. >> > >> > We also warned our neighbors. >> > >> > On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 7:53 AM Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> >> >> Here in Canada we tend to have uranium in the ground, and hence radon >> >> gas can show up in basements. I had an interesting experience with >> >> this over the holidays. >> >> If you want to know if you have radon, you can get a sample kit from >> >> Home Depot, mail it away, and get a test result. That's cool, but one >> >> time, one place. >> >> I purchased an electronic meter that actively reads the radon levels, >> >> so I could first measure, and then map out the radon levels around my >> >> house. >> >> >> >> The end result was realizing that the basement sump was somewhat >> >> strong source of radon. Although my house on average was below the >> >> threshold of 200 Bq/m^3, my sump had a reading of over 600. A friend >> >> of mine measured his sump and got a reading of 2700! >> >> >> >> So over the holidays I purchased a "radon fan" and built a venting >> >> apparatus to capture the air in the sump and vent it out the side of >> >> the house. Now my house reads radon levels basically equal to >> >> atmospheric. >> >> >> >> So - wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? >> >> >> >> I was initially worried about "discovering" radon in my house but >> >> really, it is so common. I don't think enough people are aware. The >> >> fix in my case was relatively easy and not expensive at all. >> >> >> >> ...Steve
