For buildings constructed above a crawl space, sub-membrane depressurization — also referred to as crawl space mitigation — can prove an effective means of removing radon.
What Is Crawl Space Radon Mitigation?
There are a couple of ways crawl space mitigation can reduce radon levels in your home or basement. One common means of setting up this system up is by using sub-membrane depressurization to pull the air out. A crawl space mitigation contractor will cover the earth floor with a high-density sheet of plastic, then use a vent pipe and radon removal fan to pull radon from beneath the sheet and back outdoors.
Sub-membrane suction is touted as the most effective under-house crawl space mitigation solution, but it’s not the only one.
A less utilized option involves pulling air from the crawl space using a fan. This tends to be less effective than sub-membrane suction and requires consideration for obstacles like combustion appliance back drafting when installing the system.
Before implementing any crawl space system, homeowners or business owners will need to reduce the amount of radon entering through the crawl space through encapsulation. Crawl space encapsulation is a necessity for mitigation to truly work.
Encapsulating the crawl space can be done by sealing the area with a continuous vapor barrier. This will reduce the amount of radon that enters the building through dirt in the crawl space. If radon levels are extremely high, however, more steps may need to be taken to solve the problem.
To learn more about crawl space mitigation, options, contact Nordic Inspections for radon migration services.
