Experience with home radon mitigation?

foundation brickCarl asks via Twitter:

Hey @alloveralbany, know you just did an ask, but can you ask about [experience] with radon mitigators? #askingforafriend #justincase

Quick background: Radon is a radioactive gas that's released from rock and soil, and in some cases, it can get trapped by a house, especially the basement. Sometimes the levels are high enough that it's a health threat (radon exposure can cause lung cancer). Here's an EPA page with radon info.

There are test kits for radon, and you can get one for under $10 from New York State. In cases where radon might be collecting at dangerous levels in a house, modifications can be made to mitigate the problem. Here's a state Department of Health checklist for questions to ask contractors.

So, all that said, anyone have a suggestion or experience to share with Carl? Please share!

Comments

We've had a good experience with Suburban Services Group in Burnt Hills. They were easy to contact and good to work with.

Prior to buying our home several years ago, we had it tested for radon gas as part of the home inspection contingency clause in our purchase contract. Test results were just slightly above the acceptable level, so we contacted Suburban Services Group for a work and cost estimate, and negotiated for a radon mitigation system installed at the seller's expense. The mitigation system recommended was a simple vent pipe from the basement floor with a fan to slowly draw out air/gas under the basement slab to the outside.

We used Suburban Services Group for the installation. Testing after the installation showed radon levels significantly reduced to an almost-negligible level.

Two years on, and the system is still working as expected.

http://suburbanservicesgroup.com

I agree with Suburban Services Group. When I bought my home my radon levels were very very high. Thanks to a crawl space, I have a different mitigation system that involves an air mixer and big tubes that suck in and push out air.

In the event "your friend" needs this system, be sure to clean the filters to keep the air flowing.

Earth Safe Environmental has installed mitigation systems for several people I know. They are always fair with their pricing and follow up service.

We've had good experiences with the people over at Alpine Environmental in Colonie.

Ditto for Alpine.

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