Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. The EPA has a list of contractors who have passed a test in radon mitigation and carry an EPA issued RCP identification card.
The phone number for the State of Ohio radon help desk is 1-800-523-4439.
Radon problems usually can be fixed for about the same cost as many other household repairs (In the Dayton area about $900). The work is relatively simple and can be done quickly.
The most common way of lowering radon levels involves sealing any floor or wall cracks with an epoxy injection, and installing a simple ventilation system with a pump.
- The venting pipe can not be vented out under a deck.
- The pipe should vent above the roof line. The pump must be mounted vertically.
- There must be a site glass that indicates that the system is maintaining a positive air flow from the basement or mitigated area.
- Sump pumps have to be sealed with a special airtight cover.
We suggest that a clear cover is used, that allows the pump to be visually inspected. When this work is being done we strongly recommend that a battery back up sump pump, with a failure / high water alarm feature on it is installed to prevent possible flooding.
