High Radon Levels Addressed in Fort Ransom, ND

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 by Ella Wiebusch

Challenge

Chad from Fort Ransom, ND was looking to have an active radon system with a fan added to his home. After heading to the home for a FREE estimate, our Design Specialist Ian expressed concern that the home might be subject to Radon gas. He explained that this hazardous, invisible, and odorless gas was the second leading cause of lung cancer behind cigarette smoking. Chad agreed to have the home checked using one of our leave-behind kits. We set up the kit, and after 48-72 hours, it was sent in to obtain the results; these came back at 10.0 pCi/L. Ian explained that The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action for anything above 4 pCi/L. He went on to explain that 1 pCi/L of Radon is equivalent to smoking 2.5 cigarettes.

Solution

Ian suggested having a new extraction point installed to depressurize the home. He explained that once the system was installed, it would work to pull Radon from the house, pipe it upwards through venting, and push it out and away from the home. Chad agreed with Ian's recommendation, and work began shortly after. Our Foreman, Cameron, and his crew quickly and efficiently installed the system.

First, The SuperSump Plus was added with a Zoeller 1/2HP sump pump for more power. In addition to this, the plan was to add a discharge line that would ensure the radon went up and out of the house.

Our team connected PVC piping from the sump pump to the ceiling and out of the home, where our team installed the system. The mitigation system is the heart of the system; if it isn't working properly, no radon will be able to escape the home. Once they installed the system and its cover outside the home, they connected PVC piping from the system alongside the home until it reached the roof. The radon was able to escape the home quickly and efficiently. Chad was glad he got this taken care of, and his peace of mind was restored knowing he was breathing in safe air.