Home / Radon Mitigation
Radon Mitigation in Sioux City, IA
If your radon test came back at or above the EPA's 4 pCi/L level, a mitigation system is the permanent fix. Here is how these systems work and what to expect.
Referral service | Independent, insured local companies | No fee to submit a request
What a Mitigation System Does
Radon moves from the soil into your house because the air pressure under and around the foundation is higher than the pressure inside. The Iowa Department of Public Health describes how warm air rising in a house creates a small vacuum in the lower levels that pulls soil gas in through cracks in the foundation, floors and walls, hollow-block walls, openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps, and crawl spaces.
A mitigation system reverses that. It gives radon a path to be pulled out from under the house and released above the roofline, before it can enter the living space. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, a typical system includes a suction point that addresses the soil underneath the structure, and a house that has been mitigated will usually have a radon level far below the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.
Common System Types
Sub-slab suction
The most common approach for houses with a basement or slab floor. A hole is made through the slab, a pipe is connected, and a fan draws gas from the gravel or soil below the slab and sends it outside through a vent.
Sump pit suction
Where a sump pit connects to drain tile around the footing, the pit can be sealed with an airtight cover and used as the suction point.
Crawl space systems
A heavy plastic liner is sealed over the ground and a fan draws gas from under the liner, or the space is vented in ways a professional recommends.
Block wall systems
In homes with hollow-block foundation walls, the cavities can be tied into the suction system so radon does not travel through the wall.
What Installation Typically Involves
- Diagnosis. The company reviews your test result, looks at the foundation type, the sump, floor drains and slab condition, and decides where suction will work best.
- Suction point. A core hole is drilled in the slab, soil or gravel is removed to create a small void, and a pipe is connected.
- Vent pipe. Pipe runs up through the house or along the outside, depending on the layout, and ends above the roof edge away from windows and air intakes.
- Fan. A continuously running fan, usually mounted in the attic, garage or outside, draws the gas. Fans are built to run all the time.
- Sealing. Cracks, sump pit covers, floor drain openings and gaps around pipes are sealed so the fan pulls from under the house instead of from the room.
- Monitoring. A simple pressure gauge, often a U-shaped manometer, shows whether the fan is running and creating suction.
- Retest. After installation, a post-mitigation test confirms the radon level has come down.
A mitigation system lowers radon, but no honest company promises a level of zero. Ask what level the company expects to reach and how it will confirm it with a follow-up test.
Hiring a Credentialed Professional
Iowa has a state credentialing program for radon measurement and mitigation specialists, and the Iowa Department of Public Health (now part of Iowa Health and Human Services) publishes a list of credentialed specialists on its radon program pages. State rules set requirements for people who mitigate radon for a fee, including training, experience and an exam. Ask any company for its credential and check it against the state list.
- Do you hold the Iowa credential for radon mitigation, and can you show it?
- Are you insured, and can you send proof of coverage?
- Will you test first, or use my existing test result, and what does the result tell you?
- Where will the suction point, pipe and fan go, and where will the pipe vent?
- How will you seal the sump pit, cracks and other entry points?
- How will you confirm the system works, and who does the follow-up test?
- What does the warranty cover, and what maintenance is expected?
- Where will the fan run, and how will it be noticed (noise, alarm, gauge)?
Living With a Radon System
- Check the gauge from time to time. If the fluid levels are even or the gauge reads zero, call the installer.
- Do not turn the fan off to save a little electricity. Radon builds back up quickly once it stops.
- Keep the vent pipe clear of snow and ice buildup in winter, and do not block it.
- Retest periodically, and after renovations, foundation work or changes to heating and ventilation.
- Keep any paperwork, including the post-mitigation test, for future home sales.
Our cost factors guide explains what changes the scope of a mitigation job, and you can request a quote when you are ready.
Common Questions
How does a radon mitigation system work?
A typical system has a suction point under the foundation, a vent pipe and a fan. The fan pulls soil gas from beneath the house and vents it outside above the roofline before it can enter the living space.
Will mitigation remove all radon from my house?
A system is meant to lower radon substantially, but a company should not promise zero. A post-mitigation test confirms the result.
Do I need a credentialed professional?
Iowa has a state credentialing program for radon measurement and mitigation specialists. Ask any company for its credential and check it against the state list.
How long does installation take?
Many standard systems are installed in a single visit, but the timeline depends on the house and the system. Ask the company what to expect for your home.
Nearby Communities
We route requests from Sioux City and the surrounding area. Pick your town, or see the full service area list.
Know Your Radon Level, and Fix It If You Need To
Call or send a request. We will route it to an independent, insured local company that handles radon work in the Sioux City area.