Top Incorrect Practices

Top Incorrect Radon Mitigation Installation Practices

For your family’s safety, you want to make certain that all work to mitigate the radon in your home is done properly and safely. You don’t want to make the radon levels worse. Unfortunately, we frequently see or hear about supposed “mitigators” shoddy, incorrect or unsafe installation practices. Your family’s safety is not something that you do “on the cheap”. You want to make certain that whoever you use will do all aspects of the job correctly. The difference in price from a “cut-rate” radon mitigator to a reliable one may only be about $200.

Many of the issues we encounter as incorrect are clearly established in the EPA guidelines. The most common incorrect installation practices by questionable radon mitigators are:

1. Doing high voltage 120 V AC wiring themselves. In Colorado, the only people who can add an outlet to your home or business are licensed electricians. The reason why some mitigators do this is to reduce their material costs for the job. The proper way to install a radon ventilation fan if one does not have an electrical license is to use one that operates at a lower voltage where it is not an issue for building codes. But these units cost substantially more than a standard fan and adding in an additional outlet. Faulty or incorrect high voltage wiring can be very dangerous to you and your family. Be extremely wary of these types of contractors who don’t follow codes. If they knowingly and openly violate various codes, what else will they do that they don’t tell you about. Further, if improper wiring is the cause of a fire, it may be difficult to get your homeowner’s insurance company to cover the costs of repair or rebuilding your home. Ask how the 120 VAC work will be done, and if they are planning on doing the electrical wiring themselves, look for a more reputable mitigator.

2. Not being a NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) / NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program) certified mitigator. Contractors who are certified have to go through rigorous training and independent testing for credentialing and then continuing education to maintain their status as a mitigator. This is a voluntary program that mitigators agree to participate in to improve their knowledge and credibility with the consumer. But by using a certified mitigator, you have a higher confidence level that the work is being done properly. Always ask for the mitigator’s credentials prior to signing a contract.

3. Not labeling all places as required. The EPA standard establishes a list where labels need to be placed. This is for your benefit along with any other contractor’s who may come in contact with the radon mitigation equipment. Make certain that they do what they are supposed to.

4. Not following the US EPA requirements for radon mitigation. This is building-code like document that all certified contractors agree to follow as a minimum level of performance in the radon industry. When you hire a contractor to install a radon system, as to see a copy of the standard and then have the mitigation contractor agree to follow these standards. Another example is routing the piping system is through a fire wall (e.g., garage wall) without the use of a fire barrier. A fire barrier is intended to make it more difficult for a fire to penetrate from one area (that being the garage or other area) into the rest of your home. This is a violation of building codes.

If everyone follows the Radon Mitigation Standards, then shouldn’t price be my only consideration? No, if you are concerned about a having a functional, properly installed, durable and aesthetically pleasing installation, then price will not be the only consideration. One contractor may cut corners by using thinner wall pipe, or not caulk as much of your slab as another more conscientious contractor might do. One contractor may not care that a pipe is routed through a hallway where it is exposed, where another one may take the time to run it up through a closet concealing the piping.

Remember that the Radon Mitigation Standards are a minimum standard that are not always followed by all mitigators. Choose your mitigation contractor carefully, not just by the lowest price. Look for mitigators who are NEHA-NRPP listed mitigators (www.NEHA-NRPP.org/radon_mitigators) and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Office listed mitigators (see www.state.co.us/radon_mitigators.pdf).