Radon Mitigation Systems: Builders Incorporate Radon Mitigation Systems During New Construction Builds
1. Gravel: Before the construction of the new home commences, adding a 4″ layer of gravel under what will be the slab or foundation of the home will allow radon and other soil gases to move freely under the home preventing it from forcing its way up into the home. Home builders refer to this layer as the air flow layer or gas permeable layer as it allows the gases to move about freely.
It is important to mention that gravel is not used to create the air flow layer under the foundation in some regions as the price of gravel is prohibitively expensive. In these cases, builders have allowances for alternative materials such as perforated pipe or a collection mat.
2. Plastic Sheeting: After the gravel layer has been placed, builders will insulate the structures above it from the soil gasses by placing a layer of heavy duty plastic over the gravel. In addition to preventing the gases from rising into the foundation and ultimately into the house, the plastic sheeting will prevent the concrete from filtering to the gravel and preventing the proper flow of air when the slab is poured.
3. A Vent Pipe: When the slab is poured, builders will stub a 3-4″ PVC pipe up through the home’s conditioned space and out through the roof in order to vent potentially harmful radon and other gases safely above the home. While the PVC pipe is the same as what is used for drain waste vent, the two pipes serve very different purposes. Builders must label the piping in order to differentiate the systems and prevent confusion as to which pipe services which purpose later on.
4. Sealing the System: As with the drain waste pipe and other fixtures that emerge from the roof of the home, builders will seal all of the seams, openings and cracks with a water tight sealant, usually polyurethane caulk, in order to prevent accidental venting of radon and other gases into the home.
5. Junction Box: Last but not least, builders will install a vent fan and junction box to complete the radon venting system.
The cost to add the radon mitigation system to the new home during construction can vary widely, however many homeowners are now demanding that such a system be present. In most cases, builders will experience a lower cost to incorporate the radon mitigation system into the initial build than attempting to retrofit the home after construction is complete.
Radon Testing in Salt Lake City should be performed during the initial build process as well as after construction is complete in order to determine whether or not the Radon Mitigation Utah system is adequate or if a more robust system should be deployed.
Radon Mitigation Utah is an important aspect of new construction projects. Green’s INC can help with Radon Testing in Salt Lake City and radon mitigation systems.
