Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Did you know that about 21,000 people die each year in the States from radon-related lung cancer? Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas produced from the breakdown of uranium which is found in most rocks and soils. As it decays, it emits atomic particles into the air. When inhaled, the energy associated with these radioactive particles can alter cell DNA and increase the risk of lung cancer.
Amazon affiliate links:
Airthings 2930 Wave Plus $180 amzn.to/2KQ0OJn
Corentium Home Radon Detector by Airthings $137.13 amzn.to/2Mva860
First Alert Radon Gas Test Kit, RD1 $14.48 amzn.to/2KOFXGe
Link to my Patreon page: patreon.com/Belinda_Carr
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Sources of leaks
1:15 Radon zones
1:21 Passive radon systems
2:26 Active radon system
2:37 Radon measurement
3:02 First Alert radon detection kit
3:37 Air Things digital detector
4:04 Air Things digital detector app
5:18 Radon test
6:09 Radon system after construction
6:19 Conclusion
When the air pressure inside a house is lower than the surrounding soil, which it usually is, radon is sucked in through cracks and small openings in the foundation, sump pumps, floor drains, sinks and joints where walls meet floors.
Passive radon system:
- Install a 4 inch layer of clean, coarse gravel or aggregate beneath the foundation slab. The gravel allows soil gases to move freely underneath the house. If gravel is too expensive, you can use a 3 or 4 inch diameter perforated pipe with a geotextile cloth covering to prevent dust from clogging the holes.
- Another alternative is using a collection mat. After your perimeter foundation walls are built, a 4 inch thick layer of sand is spread inside.
- Then, a layer of drainage matting or a loop of matting is placed about 12 inches from the perimeter walls. A round vent pipe is attached to this mat.
Place a 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheet on top of the gravel, perforated pipe or collection mat. This stops gases from moving upwards and also keeps concrete from clogging the gravel layer.
Run a 3 or 4 inch diameter solid PVC pipe vertically through the building to the roof.
Seal and caulk all openings and cracks in the concrete foundation.
Active radon system: a fan and junction box is installed in the attic to pull the radon gas from the soil into the vent pipe.
Radon levels are measured in pico-Curies per liter (pCi/L).
First Alert passive kit costs $14. This package of activated charcoal bits must be placed in your sealed home for 48 hours. Charcoal will absorb and trap radon’s radioactive by-products if present. The sample must be mailed back to the testing facility immediately, preferably with expedited shipping, to get accurate readings.
Digital radon detector by Air Things costs $137. Accuracy improves with time. The initial reading was 3.9, but it dropped to 2.83 over a week, which is still a surprisingly high reading considering I live in Dallas, Texas which is a low risk zone.
Wave Plus digital radon detector by Air Things costs $180 on Amazon. Using the Airthings Wave App, you can monitor the radon levels, VOC or volatile organic compound levels, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, temperature and pressure. The app is also linked to the Air Things website which has excellent information on those 6 sensors. 5:06
If your radon levels are consistently over 4 pico curies per liter, you need to consider hiring a radon mitigation contractor. They will perform a soil communication test to develop the best system for your home. A vacuum cleaner hose is inserted in a small hole in your foundation and chemical smoke is pushed down another hole. If the smoke is easily pulled down into the second hole by the force of the vacuum cleaner, it’s an indication that there aren’t any big cracks in your foundation. All these remediation systems after construction are more expensive, so it’s recommended to install them before construction.
--------------------
Fluffy by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
Smith The Mister bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/stm-fluffy
Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/OM9G3nyLT_w
---------------------
Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes and qualifies as Fair Use. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have reservations please notify me via Youtube comments or email and I will accommodate you
#radon #poisoning #productreview #home #construction #architecture #diy
Did you know that about 21,000 people die each year in the States from radon-related lung cancer? Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas produced from the breakdown of uranium which is found in most rocks and soils. As it decays, it emits atomic particles into the air. When inhaled, the energy associated with these radioactive particles can alter cell DNA and increase the risk of lung cancer.
Amazon affiliate links:
Airthings 2930 Wave Plus $180 amzn.to/2KQ0OJn
Corentium Home Radon Detector by Airthings $137.13 amzn.to/2Mva860
First Alert Radon Gas Test Kit, RD1 $14.48 amzn.to/2KOFXGe
Link to my Patreon page: patreon.com/Belinda_Carr
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Sources of leaks
1:15 Radon zones
1:21 Passive radon systems
2:26 Active radon system
2:37 Radon measurement
3:02 First Alert radon detection kit
3:37 Air Things digital detector
4:04 Air Things digital detector app
5:18 Radon test
6:09 Radon system after construction
6:19 Conclusion
When the air pressure inside a house is lower than the surrounding soil, which it usually is, radon is sucked in through cracks and small openings in the foundation, sump pumps, floor drains, sinks and joints where walls meet floors.
Passive radon system:
- Install a 4 inch layer of clean, coarse gravel or aggregate beneath the foundation slab. The gravel allows soil gases to move freely underneath the house. If gravel is too expensive, you can use a 3 or 4 inch diameter perforated pipe with a geotextile cloth covering to prevent dust from clogging the holes.
- Another alternative is using a collection mat. After your perimeter foundation walls are built, a 4 inch thick layer of sand is spread inside.
- Then, a layer of drainage matting or a loop of matting is placed about 12 inches from the perimeter walls. A round vent pipe is attached to this mat.
Place a 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheet on top of the gravel, perforated pipe or collection mat. This stops gases from moving upwards and also keeps concrete from clogging the gravel layer.
Run a 3 or 4 inch diameter solid PVC pipe vertically through the building to the roof.
Seal and caulk all openings and cracks in the concrete foundation.
Active radon system: a fan and junction box is installed in the attic to pull the radon gas from the soil into the vent pipe.
Radon levels are measured in pico-Curies per liter (pCi/L).
First Alert passive kit costs $14. This package of activated charcoal bits must be placed in your sealed home for 48 hours. Charcoal will absorb and trap radon’s radioactive by-products if present. The sample must be mailed back to the testing facility immediately, preferably with expedited shipping, to get accurate readings.
Digital radon detector by Air Things costs $137. Accuracy improves with time. The initial reading was 3.9, but it dropped to 2.83 over a week, which is still a surprisingly high reading considering I live in Dallas, Texas which is a low risk zone.
Wave Plus digital radon detector by Air Things costs $180 on Amazon. Using the Airthings Wave App, you can monitor the radon levels, VOC or volatile organic compound levels, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, temperature and pressure. The app is also linked to the Air Things website which has excellent information on those 6 sensors. 5:06
If your radon levels are consistently over 4 pico curies per liter, you need to consider hiring a radon mitigation contractor. They will perform a soil communication test to develop the best system for your home. A vacuum cleaner hose is inserted in a small hole in your foundation and chemical smoke is pushed down another hole. If the smoke is easily pulled down into the second hole by the force of the vacuum cleaner, it’s an indication that there aren’t any big cracks in your foundation. All these remediation systems after construction are more expensive, so it’s recommended to install them before construction.
--------------------
Fluffy by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
Smith The Mister bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/stm-fluffy
Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/OM9G3nyLT_w
---------------------
Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes and qualifies as Fair Use. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have reservations please notify me via Youtube comments or email and I will accommodate you
#radon #poisoning #productreview #home #construction #architecture #diy
