Do I Really Need a Radon Mitigation System?

If you are reading this, you have likely already tested your home for radon gas. You may now be asking, “Do I really need a radon mitigation system?” The short answer is…it depends. 

Radon Action Levels

The first thing to consider is the radon level in your home. Radon is measured in picocuries per Liter (pCi/L), and this is the number that tells us how much radon is actually in your home. 

Organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) have set levels at which they encourage action to be taken. The EPA recommends considering mitigation at 2.0 pCi/L and the WHO recommends taking action at 2.7 pCi/L. Keep in mind that these levels were established when we had less technology to lower radon levels, and it doesn’t mean that, for example, 2.6 pCi/L is considered “safe.”

At Utah Radon Services, we recommend the following guidelines: 

• 2.7 pCi/L and above: It is recommended that you install a radon mitigation system.
• 2.0 to 2.6 pCi/L: It is recommended that you highly consider installing a radon mitigation system. If you spend a lot of time on the lowest level of the home, it’s important to install a system. If you do not, retest in two years.
• Below 2.0: Retest your home in two years. 

Radon Mitigation

If the radon level in your home falls within the recommended action levels, the next step is to install a radon mitigation system. 

A radon mitigation system is a system of pipes connected to a fan that pulls the radon from the soil below your house and vents it above the house into the air. Although it requires professional installation, it can be up and running in about 5 hours.

What Should You Do Next?

If you would like to get a system installed in your home, give us a call at 801-871-0715. If you’re not ready to install a system just yet, don’t forget to retest every two years (in different seasons) to ensure your levels remain in a safer range.