Birmingham Radon Remediation & Mitigation Systems

When it comes to radon level reduction installing a radon sump is a very effective and popular solution. It is also the ideal choice for properties where there are high radon levels.

The mitigation installation team will create a void beneath your building which will then become the lowest point of pressure. Any gases in the soil will automatically gravitate to it. Once the gas reaches the void with the use of an exhaust pipe and a fan the radon can be vented away from your property safely.

Any harmful gases will be sucked up the exhaust pipe and then discharged, usually above eaves level so that it is expelled a safe distance from the property and away from doors and windows.

When a new building is being constructed in a radon affected area they will often have a radon sump fitted under the floor at the time of construction, so that it is ready to be brought into use if later testing shows that it is required.

Usually a perforated sump box is fitted centrally under the building with the pipework capped-off next to an external wall. If required the sump can be activated by fitting a fan to the pipework and extending the exhaust pipe.

Buildings that have a large footprint or that have had extensions added may need more than one sump system. With our sophisticated diagnostic technique we can measure the area that the sump will have an effect. This also enables our surveyors to determine where is the best location for your sump to be installed.

If you have invested the time and money to have a radon mitigation system installed then you really want it to provide optimum protection for years to come. Since radon is constantly being released from the earth if your mitigation system becomes inactive, then the radon levels of your property will start to increase once more.

Radon sump fans are not fitted with a filter, but as they are directly drawing gas from the ground then sometimes you will get debris also being sucked into the pipework. This can clog the system and make it noisy.

Our recommendation is that every other year you have the pipework and fan inspected. As your sump system is typically outside, it is very unlikely that you will notice the fan is no longer working, so it’s vital that you periodically check this.

Positive input ventilation (PIV) is the second way to reduce radon. PIV involves the engineers installing a special fan in your loft or attic, or if there is no roof void present it can be installed on the inside of an external wall.

The fan is then used to draw clean air into your property and disperse it around your property so that it very gently pressurises your building. By doing this it will inhibit the radon in the soil being ‘sucked’ into your property, which helps to safely reduce the radon levels.

Positive input ventilation units do have a filter fitted. However the filter can get blocked with dirt which reduces the air flowing through the unit. Not only does the reduction in airflow reduce the performance of the PIV unit, risking the radon concentration increasing and endangering the inhabitants’ health, but it can also eventually burn out the motor, which will then need to be completely replaced. It is important to clean PIV filters regularly (at least annually) and replace them as needed.

Our team are highly trained and have years of experience designing radon mitigation solutions that successfully lower radon levels to well below the Action Level. In order for our team to design your radon mitigation system, they will need to do a survey of your property so that in addition to your radon test results they are able to also take into consideration the floor construction, layout and size of your building.

Following their survey, they will provide you with an account of their findings and a specification for the recommended mitigation system as well as providing a quote for the installation of the system. Within the scope of the survey, they will be able to carry out additional diagnostic tests, enabling them to get a better understanding of the levels of radon concentration throughout your property. This enables them to identify whether your property has an area with high levels of radon, which more than likely will be the radon point of entry and then design a mitigation solution to suit your property. The diagnostic process can also reveal a defect in your floor construction, which may be a simple and inexpensive fix which could eliminate the need to install a radon mitigation system. This obviously saves you both time and money.

Do I Need To Retest After A Radon Mitigation System Has Been Installed?

Most of the radon mitigation systems come with a monitor that alerts you if the system needs to be serviced. After your new mitigation system has been installed and activated for at least 24 hours and no longer than 30 days after installation you should run a retest, to be sure the system is working effectively to reduce the radon concentration in your building to below the Action level. It is also advisable to do a retest after you have replaced a fan unit or completed any other mitigation system repairs. It is also recommended to run a radon test every ten years.