How Radon is Reduced – Denver, Colorado

How Radon is Reduced in Denver

If your home is among the 43 percent of those in the Denver, Colorado, area that have abnormally high levels of radon, reducing the amount of the gas in the air is vital to protecting the health of your family. Rather than trying to eliminate radon that’s already entered homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that Denver homeowners use mitigation systems that prevent radon from ever getting inside.

Common Method For Radon Reduction

The most common method for radon mitigation in Denver is the soil suction technique. This method is effective because much of the radon in the Denver area is due to the presence of radium from decaying uranium in the ground. The soil suction technique uses a vent fan under the house to pull the radon downward. Pipes then carry the gas out of the home, where it mixes with the outdoor air and no longer poses a threat.

Benefits of ‘Soil Suction’ Systems

The benefit of soil suction radon mitigation systems is that they require only minimal modifications to your existing home. An efficient system can have a profound effect upon radon levels in Denver homes, even those that are decades old. In fact, the EPA reports that when installed properly, these radon mitigation systems can reduce levels of radon in homes by as much as 99 percent, greatly decreasing the risk of health problems caused by the gas. The Colorado Community Development Block Grand Program provides financial assistance for radon mitigation to low-income families in Denver, making a safe home affordable for everyone.

Repairing cracks in concrete, spaces in brick veneers and loose pipefittings all help reduce the amount of radon in Denver homes; however, the EPA does not recommend fixing these problems as the sole method of radon mitigation. Rather, Denver homeowners should make repairs to enhance the effects of soil suction systems or other radon mitigation techniques.

Opening the windows and doors for ventilation is also not adequate to reduce radon gas levels in Denver homes. Although fresh air dilutes the amount of radon present in the air you breathe, studies show that this only temporarily improves air quality. Radon levels typically return to their former levels within 12 hours after doors and windows are closed.

Radon in The Drinking Water

Drinking water supplies are also sources of radon gas contamination in the Denver area, particularly for houses that rely on wells for their water. For Denver homes with high levels of radon in their water, aeration systems are used to reduce levels of the gas. In these systems, air is passed through the water, collecting the radon gas and then venting it to the outdoors. The best aeration systems can remove 99.9 percent of radon from drinking water.

Because many factors contribute to choosing the best design for a radon mitigation system in your Denver home, you should enlist the help of a professional. A qualified radon contractor can help you determine what method of radon mitigation is ideal for you.