Radon Still High After Mitigation? Here’s What to Do
A radon mitigation system is an investment in your family’s health. But when that system doesn’t seem to deliver the results you expected, it can quickly turn into a source of frustration and concern. Not only have you spent money on the installation, but you’re left wondering if your loved ones are still being exposed to high radon levels and facing the health risks that come along with it — like an increased chance of lung cancer.
What do you do if you had a radon mitigation system installed but your levels aren’t getting any lower? In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect, how long it typically takes for levels to decrease, the common reasons radon levels may stay high, and the practical steps you can take next.
How Long for Radon Levels to Drop After Mitigation?
Typically, radon levels drop within the first 24 to 48 hours. Radon mitigation systems work quickly (often within hours) because they directly interrupt the path radon gas takes to enter your home. Most mitigation systems, especially sub-slab depressurization systems, create a lower-pressure zone beneath the foundation using a fan that draws radon-laden air from the soil and vents it safely outside.
The results are fast and continuous, but you’ll want to get a radon monitoring device so you can continue to watch levels and know if anything goes awry.
What Should Radon Levels Be After Mitigation?
There isn’t an exact number your home should be at after radon mitigation. What matters most is getting it below the EPA-recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Ideally, though, you want your radon levels to be below 2.0 pCi/L. Radon mitigation experts like The Radon Guys can install the right system for your home to help get your levels in the ideal range.
Why Are My Radon Levels Still High?
If radon levels remain high after mitigation, the system isn’t fully targeting how radon enters or circulates through your home. Here are the most common reasons this happens:
Poor System Design or Installation
If your contractor didn’t choose the right system for your home or did a poor installation job, it might not be effective enough to get your radon down to appropriate levels. Mistakes could be an improperly placed suction point, too few suction points, missed cracks or gaps, incorrect fan model, poorly sealed crawlspace, or unsealed sump pit, just to name a few. All these will allow radon to continue finding its way into your home.
Insufficient Suction
Radon mitigation relies on a fan and pipe system to create negative pressure under the slab and draw radon-tainted air out of your home. A weak or small fan may lack the power needed to create enough negative pressure. You might need a stronger fan installed if you have a large home or dense or compact soil underneath your house. Depending on the age of your home’s slab, your system may require a high-suction fan designed for moving air through tight, compact material such as packed dirt or clay. For larger home footprints, a higher volume fan may be needed to move an adequate amount of air and create a pressure field across the entire footprint.
Entry Points Not Sealed
Radon can enter through cracks in walls, sump pits, crawl spaces, or unsealed joints. If any of these access points are missed during sealing, radon can continue to seep into your home.
Crawl Space Not Addressed
Homes with crawl spaces often require different or additional mitigation methods, like crawl space encapsulation. If the crawl space is ignored during mitigation, radon can still get inside your home.
Broken System Components
Like any system in your home, a radon mitigation system can fail. However, this is a problem you usually don’t have to worry about until years after installation — and many contractors offer warranties on parts like fans. Vent pipes can become blocked, fans can break, or power can be disrupted. If your system is broken or turned off, it can’t do its job.
Seasonal Variations
Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year, depending on factors like temperature and humidity. They tend to increase in the winter as you kick on the heater, and warm air rises, bringing radon along with it. Higher humidity can also contribute to higher levels of radon.
However, these changes should be temporary, and you don’t need to act right away. Continue monitoring your levels to get a more long-term picture. If your levels don’t go back down, it'll be time to take action.
Structural Changes or Home Improvement Projects
If you’ve made any updates or additions to your home since your mitigation system was installed, you may have unintentionally created new entry points or disrupted the pressure balance. You should consult your radon professionals before renovating to see if any proactive action needs to be taken. After the renovation, you should retest radon levels to confirm the system still works properly and the changes haven’t introduced new problems.
High Radon Levels After Mitigation: Next Steps
High radon levels after mitigation don’t necessarily mean your installer did something wrong. Radon can be unpredictable, and sometimes even a properly installed mitigation system needs to be tweaked. Hiring the right company is crucial. You want an installer who offers a strong guarantee and will continue working on your system until the levels are where they should be. Fixes can include:
Upgrading the fan/increasing fan size
Creating additional suction points
Installing a second system if necessary
Increasing pressure field of the system using materials such as vapor mat.
Adding an energy recovery ventilator (ERV)
So, if your radon levels are still elevated, the first step is to contact your contractor. Let them know what’s going on, and give them the opportunity to troubleshoot and provide a fix. If they refuse or can’t solve the problem themselves, it’s time to start looking for other companies that can help.
The Radon Guys: Lower Radon Levels, Guaranteed
A radon mitigation system should bring your levels down. If radon is still high, something isn’t right. Whether it’s an installation issue, a home’s unique structure, or the need for additional ventilation, The Radon Guys can troubleshoot and fix the problem. We stand by our work with a lengthy warranty, so you can breathe easier knowing your home is truly protected. Schedule an inspection today, and let us help you get your radon levels where they should be.
