Posted: 1/24/2010 7:01:12 AM EDT
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Never gave it much thought but a friend of mine said that I'm nuts for not testing for it, especially in light of the fact that I installed a sump in my basement 2 years ago.
So I got a test kit for $10 (pro-lab) at Home Depot. It's 2 vials, a 96 hour sampling and then I have to sent them in to a lab (and pay another $30!  ).
So what do you guys think? Radon overhyped? Horror stories? Looks like if it's a problem it costs about a grand to have a contractor come in and install a mitigation system. I'll post the results when I get them but I'm curious of your experiences with this. |
| The vast majority of deaths in the USA from lung cancer in non smokers is caused by radon. I've heard it said that at the lowest "non safe" levels, every hour you spend breathing radon contaminated air is equivalent to one chest x-ray. Would you get 16 chest x-rays per day for 40 years? |
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I have block walls and a basement and garage that actually have drains in them - that just drain down into the earth below. So if the soil in my area has radon, it's definately getting in, no question.
Not too many people around here even mention it. I don't know anyone that actually has a mitigation system with the pvc pipes and fans, etc. |
| I to am curious about this. I am purchasing my first home. It was recommended to have the house tested for radon as part of the pre-purchase inspection. Well come to find out MN is a hotspot for radon. Federal accepted average is 4pci ? and the readings from the house I am purchasing are 9pci, over twice the limit. I am cool about it but the wife is freaking. I got an estimate to install a mitigation system 1100.00 dollars for normal system, unfortunatly my house has a crawl space which may require an additional 5-600.00 dollars for the system and labor. I will most likely have the mitigation system installed this year, mainly to ease the mind of the wife unit. I did some research, it seems like a pretty serious concern, but every one I have talked to said it is overhyped and not needed. I guess better safe than sorry. Lung cancer sucks. Super01 |
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My place tested high during the inspection. Seller was shocked as they had tested in summer and the numbers were low, but I tested mid-winter and with the house sealed up, the numbers were high. Seller agreed to install a mitigation system (poly sheeting over the dirt in the crawlspace and PVC duct to the attic with a fan to provide draw). Retest showed MUCH lower numbers (2 or 3 IIRC). As you might imagine a recently built house in Montana is VERY well insulated and sealed against the cold so it's not surprising that any emissions from the ground would be trapped. |
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Quoted:
unless you live in an area that's designated by the USGS as being very low risk (such as upstate new york along lake ontario), why not get tested for it? what's a few hundred bucks vs your peace of mind, and not dying a horrible death through lung cancer? It's not the test ($40) it's the mitigation system that's expensive. |
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Quoted: About $700-$1100 depending on your area and if you have a crawlspace.Quoted: unless you live in an area that's designated by the USGS as being very low risk (such as upstate new york along lake ontario), why not get tested for it? what's a few hundred bucks vs your peace of mind, and not dying a horrible death through lung cancer? It's not the test ($40) it's the mitigation system that's expensive. I worked for the guy in Pennsylvania who pioneered the sub-slab depressurization technique in his own home. Small price to pay for not dying of lung cancer. |