Radon in Your Home – Symptoms, Mitigation Systems & Cost

Radioactive gas seeping through porous building foundations and threatening residents’ health sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s something that homeowners in many parts of North America should legitimately worry about.

The culprit is radon, a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the soil and bedrock underlying huge swathes of the continent. According to the Citizen’s Guide to Radon by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. It’s the second most common cause of lung cancer overall (after smoking) and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Fortunately, radon is easy to detect. Relative to the health risks and associated medical expenses, it’s also not particularly costly to mitigate. Although it’s not possible to completely eradicate radon from the home, it is possible to reduce concentrations to levels deemed safe by federal health authorities and independent medical research.

What Is Radon?

Radon (atomic number: 86) is the heaviest of the noble gases, a class of elements characterized by minimal chemical bonding with other elements. It’s formed over time as uranium and thorium, naturally occurring metals found throughout the planet’s crust, decay into other elements and isotopes.

Causes and Geography of Radon in the Home

Due to its relatively low density and the immense weight of the bedrock in which it forms, radon is constantly being forced out of the ground — both into outdoor air, where it immediately dissipates, and into basements and lower levels of homes, where it presents a risk to human health.

Less commonly, dissolved radon can work its way into a home’s potable water supply. There is little evidence that ingesting radon-tainted water presents a serious health risk, although inhaling radon-tainted water droplets — most likely when showering — may have adverse effects over long periods.

Although radon is widespread, homes in the Northeast, Midwest, and Intermountain West are more likely to have elevated or unsafe radon levels than homes in the South and on the West Coast. On the EPA’s radon risk map, Zones 1 and 2 denote areas where radon mitigation may be advisable. These zones cover the majority of the contiguous United States’ land area.

Health Risks

It’s important not to overstate the risk of radon. Under normal circumstances, including in homes with concentrations higher than recommended safe levels, short-term radon exposure isn’t something to worry about. Unlike other harmful gases that can occur in the home, such as carbon monoxide, radon takes years to affect the human body.

That said, long-term exposure to radon is not good for you. According to the Citizen’s Guide to Radon, exposure to indoor radon levels greater than 2 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l) is abnormal and represents a long-term health risk. For reference, the average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/l.

According to the EPA, long-term (several years or longer) exposure to an average radon level of 2 pCi/l may result in lung cancer for 4 out of every 1,000 people who have never smoked, on average, over the course of their lifetimes. Because a cancer diagnosis can come years after exposure, absolute causation is difficult to prove, so the EPA qualifies all predictive statements.

At 4 pCi/l, 8 out of every 1,000 people may develop lung cancer. At 20 pCi/l, 36 out of every 1,000 may get sick.

The long-term risks of radon exposure multiply for current smokers because radon readily binds to inhaled smoke particles and stays in the lungs for far longer, increasing exposure. At 2 pCi/l, 32 out of every 1,000 may develop cancer. At 4 pCi/l, 62 out of 1,000 may get sick. At 20 pCi/l, 260 out of 1,000 may fall ill. If you smoke, the single most cost-effective way to reduce the risk of radon exposure is to stop smoking.

Radon risks likely also increase for people who live in lower-level and partially underground rooms, such as basement apartments. However, there’s a dearth of medical studies on this point.

How to Detect and Evaluate Radon

There are two basic ways to detect radon in the home: purchasing a DIY home radon testing kit or hiring a qualified radon inspection company.

1. Home-Testing Kits

Home-testing kits are usually quite cheap — $15 to $30 in stores or online. Major home improvement stores, such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s, stock radon testing kits, as do many independent hardware stores. If you’d prefer to buy online, Amazon sells the First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit for under $15.

Some home-testing kits test short-term radon levels, typically over three to four days. Others test longer-term levels over periods as long as one year. In either case, most kits require you to send them — usually with a prepaid shipping label — to a lab for analysis after the testing period ends.

Home-testing kits are accurate enough to make a basic determination about whether mitigation is necessary, although they’re not ideal for precise measurements or ascertaining minute-to-minute fluctuations.

2. Professional Detection

If you want a more precise reading or are in the midst of a real estate transaction — either selling a house that hasn’t previously been tested for radon, or purchasing a house in an area known for indoor radon — invest in professional radon measurement services. Professional measurement is more accurate than DIY measurement and offers the added security of third-party certification, meaning the homeowner can’t claim that the home’s radon levels are safe when they’re actually not. Although most states and municipalities don’t require radon testing certification as a condition of title transfer, many private mortgage lenders do require it.

Many general contractors and some home inspection companies offer radon detection and measurement services. Most states’ environmental services agencies maintain lists of approved or licensed companies. Professional radon detection costs range from $150 to $800, according to HomeAdvisor.

Paying for Radon Detection and Mitigation Before Buying a Home

If you’re buying a house in an area where radon is commonplace, request in your purchase offer that the seller pay for a radon inspection, preferably by a qualified radon inspector. Many sellers are willing to do so, even in seller’s markets.

If the inspection turns up elevated radon levels, don’t be shy about making your offer contingent on seller-paid radon mitigation. And if the seller balks at that stipulation, which can lengthen the escrow period, consider requesting that the seller cover a portion of the closing costs equal to the expected cost of the mitigation system, and then install the system after moving in.

Evaluating Radon Concentrations and Determining Whether to Mitigate

The EPA encourages radon mitigation for indoor concentrations greater than 2 pCi/l and strongly recommends it for concentrations greater than 4 pCi/l. Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/l isn’t cost-effective with current mitigation technologies. If anyone in your household smokes or there are small children present, the case for mitigating at levels between 2 and 4 pCi/l is much stronger.

It’s worth noting that many new construction homes in high-radon areas feature pre-installed radon mitigation systems. Although their cost is typically reflected in the purchase price of the home, pre-installed systems allow you to cross an important item off your post-purchase to-do list.

Radon Mitigation Options

Radon mitigation options come in many different forms. In general, professionally installed suction-based ventilation systems are more effective at reducing indoor radon concentrations to safe levels. However, they can be more costly than other systems, with a median cost of about $1,000 and a high-end cost of $3,000 or more for more extensive or complex systems, according to HomeAdvisor’s radon remediation cost guide. (Unless otherwise noted, all mitigation costs cited here come from HomeAdvisor.)

Non-suction systems and DIY solutions require smaller upfront investments, typically in the low three-figure range. However, they often demand regular upkeep for associated equipment, like fans, or reapplication for sealants, and may create overhead costs — for instance, by consuming power — resulting in ongoing or recurring expenses that increase their lifetime cost. Moreover, some, such as pressurization or ventilation systems that require closed windows and doors to work properly, also impose annoying restrictions on homeowners.

Soil Suction Systems

There are five main types of soil suction systems. Unless you’re a licensed contractor, all require professional installation. Those that involve the use of powered fans consume significant amounts of electricity and therefore have non-negligible annual operating costs that vary based on length of operation and local power pricing.

In many cases, soil suction systems require some modification to the home, such as drilling into the foundation or the construction of vertical shafts for exhaust vents. They’re therefore best done by professionals.

1. Active Sub-Slab Depressurization

Active sub-slab depressurization (ASSD) is the most common and effective radon mitigation technique. ASSD consists of one or more airtight suction vent pipes installed in the rock or soil below the home’s slab. These pipes typically vent up through the house, under the slab, or along an exterior wall. A fan installed in each pipe’s upper reaches creates a vacuum that draws radon from the soil, through the pipe, and out an outdoor opening — usually in the attic, at the roofline, or in a corner of the yard — where the gas dissipates harmlessly.

ASSD costs depend on the number of vent pipes needed, the depth of the foundation, the size of the home, and the type of depressurization process used. Costs range from $800 to $2,500, although they can be higher in very large homes.

2. Active Drain Tile Suction

Homes with drain tile installed on the outer foundation sometimes use localized mitigation systems that apply suction directly to the tile, effectively blowing radon away from the house and into the outside air. Since drain tile suction usually doesn’t require drilling beneath the foundation or installing vertical vent columns through the house, it’s generally cheaper to install than sub-slab systems. Total costs run anywhere from $800 to $1,700, depending on home size and pipe count.

3. Active Block Wall Suction

Homes with hollow foundation walls (block walls) support soil suction systems installed directly into the foundation wall. Block wall systems create negative pressure inside the wall and vent captured radon to a higher, outdoor level. The system’s cost is comparable to active sub-slab system costs: roughly $1,500 to $3,000.

However, depending on a home’s size and layout, a block wall system might not be sufficient to reduce indoor radon to acceptable levels. In this case, you likely need to pair a block wall system with a smaller ASSD system — at substantial extra cost — or invest in a larger ASSD system.

4. Active Sump Hole Suction

Sump hole suction is most common in homes built on at-grade slabs with sump hole cutouts for active water drainage. Sump hole suction systems are similar to active sub-slab (ASSD) systems, with the major addition of an airtight, watertight cap on the sump hole to facilitate suction. System costs are roughly equivalent to ASSD systems — about $1,500 to $3,000.

5. Passive Sub-Slab Depressurization

Passive sub-slab depressurization (PSSD) systems resemble ASSD systems, sans the suction fans. Instead of active suction, PSSD relies on natural airflow and the pressure differential between the open air and the top layer of bedrock.

PSSD systems cost a bit less than ASSD systems: roughly $500 to $2,500, depending on the number of pipes and size of the home. However, they’re not as effective at clearing radon from beneath the house. As a result, homes with PSSD systems tend to have higher indoor radon concentrations than nearby homes with ASSD systems, although the exact difference varies by geology and other factors.

DIY or Ad Hoc Systems

Unlike soil suction systems, these radon mitigation techniques don’t use a closed, negative pressure system that requires professional installation. Because they can be installed and removed without professional help, they’re considered temporary and are often recommended for use as you consider a more permanent fix.

6. Heat Recovery Ventilator (Heat Exchanger)

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV), or heat exchanger, is a mechanical device that increases indoor ventilation by drawing outside air inside and removing indoor air through external vents. When used as a radon mitigation system, it effectively vents radon-tainted air and introduces radon-free air. Also, it has an added benefit: lower heating and cooling costs.

Heat exchangers work best in smaller, closed spaces with limited airflow, such as a basement. For best results, they need to be operated continuously. While new heat exchangers can cost $600 or more, per the University of Minnesota, users can recoup that investment through lower utility bills.

7. Crawl Space Ventilation

Crawl space ventilation comes in two forms: active and passive.

Active ventilation involves setting up a fan at the main entrance to the space and allowing it to blow continuously, creating positive pressure that reduces the rate of radon leakage out of the surrounding soil. Vents connecting the crawl space with the outdoor air reduce radon even further. The cost of active DIY crawl space ventilation varies widely depending on the number of vents and the type of fan; basic floor or window fans cost around $30, but industrial-strength fans are more expensive.

Active crawl space ventilation works best if the home’s windows and doors remain closed at all times or if the crawl space is professionally encapsulated (fully sealed). Professional encapsulation can be costly: anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000, per HomeAdvisor, depending on the complexity of the project. However, it may be necessary in cold climates or in older homes with significant moisture intrusion in the crawl space.

By contrast, passive ventilation merely involves venting the crawl space to the outside, again with windows and doors closed, without the added benefit of a fan. Although it costs nothing, it’s far less effective than active ventilation.

8. Lower Level Pressurization

This method is similar to crawl space ventilation, but on a larger scale. It involves setting up a fan at entrances to the basement or lowest level — typically the basement stairs, a larger basement window, or a large window on the first floor — and blowing air into the space from outdoors or a higher floor. For larger homes or lower levels, it may require multiple fans.

For the best results, fans need to be kept on continuously, and all doors and windows not equipped with a fan must remain shut at all times. The cost varies based on the number of fans used and whether any special vents are required. Assuming a minimum cost of $20 per fan, a three-fan system would cost $60 to install.

9. Sealing and Patching

The simplest radon mitigation technique involves sealing and patching major points of entry for radon gas. This technique is also relatively cheap in the short run, but it must be repeated annually for best results, which means it could outstrip the cost of permanent mitigation over time.

To seal radon out of your basement, use a high-quality, waterproof sealant to patch visible cracks in your basement walls, foundation, and grade slab — basically, any structural component between your home’s lowest level and the surrounding bedrock. Depending on the size of your foundation or slab and the number of visible cracks, a sealing project can cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars. A DIY basement crack repair kit with up to 20 linear feet of sealing potential costs $119 from RadonSeal; extensive projects could require several kits.

To counter the ongoing effects of settling, water damage, and seismic activity, repeat the sealing process every year. The EPA recommends pairing sealing and patching with another radon mitigation technique — or at least with constant ventilation through open windows and screen doors — due to limited evidence that sealing reduces indoor radon concentrations on a consistent basis.

Paying for Radon Mitigation After Buying a Home

Active radon mitigation isn’t cheap. Consider these options to limit immediate and longer-term impacts on your finances:

Low-Interest Credit Card: With good to excellent credit, you’ll likely have no trouble qualifying for a low APR interest credit card that lets you finance your mitigation project over many months. Look for cards with long 0% APR introductory promotions — some of which can stretch as long as 21 months, which should be plenty of time to finance a $2,000 purchase, $100 at a time.
Personal Savings: If you’ve managed to build up a significant savings reserve, determine whether you can raid it without compromising your emergency reserves or long-term savings. If your radon mitigation project can wait a year or two, set up a dedicated home improvement and maintenance savings account for emergency repairs and wish-list projects alike. Since buying our home, my wife and I have covered the cost of emergency plumbing repairs, HVAC maintenance, and even a backyard patio installation out of a dedicated savings account — not a bad run!
Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit: If you have sufficient equity in your home — generally 20% or more — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) through someone like Axos Bank offers borrowing power and low financing costs in one powerful package. Because HELOCs are secured by your home equity, they’re deemed less risky by lenders and thus tend to offer lower interest rates than many other types of credit.
Other Home Loans: Not sure a home equity loan or line of credit makes sense for your situation? With sufficient equity, a cash-out refinance loan could free up some cash for home improvements, including radon mitigation, and lower your monthly payment and interest rate in the process. Without sufficient equity, renovation loans and rehabilitation loans are more appropriate.
Unsecured Personal Loans: If you want to completely avoid the wide world of home loans, consider an unsecured personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online personal lender. Unsecured personal loan interest rates are almost always higher than those of secured loans, but borrowers with excellent credit may yet qualify for rates under 10% APR.

Final Word

I’ve been a tenant in several older houses in the Upper Midwest, where radon is quite common. Statistically, it’s likely that I lived in a rental with unsafe radon levels at some point. But until I bought my own house, I didn’t give radon much thought.

Although I’m not losing sleep over my probable past exposure, my wife and I have penciled in radon detection and mitigation near the top of our new-homeowner project list. If you’re a homeowner, new or otherwise, consider doing the same. And if you’re a renter, particularly if you have children, ask your landlord if he or she has ever conducted a radon inspection. Landlords have little incentive to do so without prompting, but it never hurts to ask.

Published at Mon, 25 Jan 2021 15:00:46 +0000