Radon Mitigation Companies

idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
Have any of you dealt with the radon mitigation process (for your house or your well) or any specific companies? Was the process successful, do the radon levels now continue to test at or below normal, and about how much does it cost?
 
ohstate

ohstate

Member
I'm just starting this process now. I'm doing the test this week, although I'm doing the mitigation regardless of levels because it also removes moisture and I've got some mold issues.

I've called a mitigation company that sent me an estimate based upon the work/square footage. He said to go ahead and get a test, that way he can do a post mitigation test and provide a certificate that the radon was reduced. I picked up one of the DIY tests.

I've got to do both the crawl space and a basement, so it adds up, but his quote for the crawl space was $1.25/sq. ft, plus $850 for the basement, unless we discover that the slab wasn't poured over gravel. If there isn't gravel, the cost goes up an extra $300-350, iirc.

I wanted a contractor that was certified by the NEHA and/or NRSB. The guy that did my neighbor's house is no longer in business, so I checked with the NEHA/NRSB sites and Angie's list and came up with these guys:

Radon Abatement Services
Office: 301.718.6200
Estimates: 202.213.6200
E-mail: info@radonrepair.com
Web: Radon Abatement Services: Radon Removal Contractor in MD, VA, DC

Hope this helps.
 
idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
Thanks for your reply. I also called them and was VERY impressed with all the information and references he gave me over the phone. I had called another place and just got a couple price quotes. Of the 3 companies listed in the phone book, one is no longer doing these services.

Good luck to you.
 
ohstate

ohstate

Member
idiganthro said:
Thanks for your reply. I also called them and was VERY impressed with all the information and references he gave me over the phone. I had called another place and just got a couple price quotes. Of the 3 companies listed in the phone book, one is no longer doing these services.

Good luck to you.
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Were the prices fairly similar that were quoted to you from the different companies? Just curious.
 
idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
RAS was a little higher- about 150-300 higher depending on what type of process is needed, BUT, they have all the proper licenses, have been around a long time, gave me tons of info and referrals. So, I'm thinking that's who I would want to deal with long term.
 
C

CalvertNewbie

Guest
idiganthro said:
RAS was a little higher- about 150-300 higher depending on what type of process is needed, BUT, they have all the proper licenses, have been around a long time, gave me tons of info and referrals. So, I'm thinking that's who I would want to deal with long term.
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I can't help you with recommendations or pricing because we got our radon mitigation system installed in NY when we lived there. The previous owners were responsible to have it professionally installed prior to our closing. We refused to buy a house that we didn't consider safe, especially because we were planning to start a family.

What I can tell you is that it works wonders. We lived in an area with very high levels of radon. Once the system was installed, the levels were well below the so-called acceptable level. When we were looking to sell the house last year, they tested the radon levels and the system. All was still well. Good luck. It's well worth the piece of mind.
 
ImnoMensa

ImnoMensa

New Member
Radon is a bot like Global warming, some scientists say it is a real risk other say it isnt. A few years back everyone was crapping little green wads about Radon. Real estate agents were making a big deal out of it and scammers were selling hell out of cures.

Fact is radon is everywhere, its a part of life. Some homes are worse than others because they trap the radon. Some say fans in the attic only suck the radon out of the earth and thru your home.

For about ten bucks you can buy a test kit and test it yourself if you are frightened.

Google around they are on the net. Cheaper and more reassuring to test it yourself and not have it tested by some scammer.
 
idiganthro

idiganthro

Member
CalvertNewbie said:
I can't help you with recommendations or pricing because we got our radon mitigation system installed in NY when we lived there. The previous owners were responsible to have it professionally installed prior to our closing. We refused to buy a house that we didn't consider safe, especially because we were planning to start a family.

What I can tell you is that it works wonders. We lived in an area with very high levels of radon. Once the system was installed, the levels were well below the so-called acceptable level. When we were looking to sell the house last year, they tested the radon levels and the system. All was still well. Good luck. It's well worth the piece of mind.
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Thanks for that input. The tests came back twice the level considered safe, but we have done the research and trust that it can be mitigated.

Hearing about your experience really helps.
 
C

CalvertNewbie

Guest
dn0121 said:
Don't forget now they say it leaks out of your granite countertops.
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Funny you mention that, my Mom just sent me an article about this last month. She has a grandson on the way and thought hubby & I would find the article "interesting" because we have granite countertops & fireplace hearth in the kitchen. Prior to closing on this house last year, we had the radon test done and the levels came back fine. That, of course, is not to say that there's no truth to the article. There very well could be.

I tell ya, there's always some "scare" to look out for to cause panic for the public. As another poster previously mentioned, they sell do it yourself radon detection kits. I wonder how well those work?
 
C

CalvertNewbie

Guest
idiganthro said:
Thanks for that input. The tests came back twice the level considered safe, but we have done the research and trust that it can be mitigated.

Hearing about your experience really helps.
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Glad I could help. I'm sure you'll feel better once the system is installed. I know we did. The tests we had done up in NY came back with alarming levels of radon, well beyond your results.

The previous owners had the house built in 1996 and were raising their two children there. I'm so happy our realtor recommended the test. The previous owners were shocked and visibly upset at the results. We happened to move to an area up there where all new houses are being built with the mitigation systems installed automatically.
 
F

forceofnature

Guest
Just open the windows every once in a while use fans if you have to. Radon levels will drop. If the basement is not well ventillated use fans to move the air up and out.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
I thought Radon was an issue (not really) in places like New England where houses are built atop granite or rock, not so much an issue here.

I've also heard Radon Remediation was snake oil too.

Open a window. BTW, who's determined what the safe level is for RADON.. and if you are getting the test done by the same people that sell the solution.. is that wise?

I know if I was selling RADON solutions EVERY house I tested would be a hazard, and if nothing else I'd be sure to sell you a $500 Radon alarm to mount in your house.
 
D

djcook

New Member
itsbob said:
I thought Radon was an issue (not really) in places like New England where houses are built atop granite or rock, not so much an issue here.

I've also heard Radon Remediation was snake oil too.

Open a window. BTW, who's determined what the safe level is for RADON.. and if you are getting the test done by the same people that sell the solution.. is that wise?

I know if I was selling RADON solutions EVERY house I tested would be a hazard, and if nothing else I'd be sure to sell you a $500 Radon alarm to mount in your house.
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Hey all this Idiganthro's other half. Sorry but I had to respond to this one.

"Open a window. BTW, who's determined what the safe level is for RADON.. and if you are getting the test done by the same people that sell the solution.. is that wise?"

That would be the EPA that determines the safe level. We actually had a home inspection company do the inspection, not the the same company selling the solution.

Just a quick note. RADON Gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Do a little research and you'll know that "just opening a window" is not enough to give a warm a fuzzy.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
djcook said:
Hey all this Idiganthro's other half. Sorry but I had to respond to this one.

"Open a window. BTW, who's determined what the safe level is for RADON.. and if you are getting the test done by the same people that sell the solution.. is that wise?"

That would be the EPA that determines the safe level. We actually had a home inspection company do the inspection, not the the same company selling the solution.

Just a quick note. RADON Gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Do a little research and you'll know that "just opening a window" is not enough to give a warm a fuzzy.
Click to expand...


Dunno, I don't know of a single person that's died from Radon. :shrug:
 
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