HERE'S THE FIX

By the definition in the Adopted Rule, 32 Illinois Administrative Code 422, Licensing of Radon Detection and Mitigation Services, "mitigation" means "the act of repairing or altering a building or building design for the purpose in whole or in part of reducing the concentration of radon in the indoor atmosphere. 

The mitigation contractor's warranty guarantees that the system will reduce radon levels to less than 4.0 pCi/L, when tested in accordance with the Measurement Protocol, 32 Illinois Administrative Code 422.130. Diagnostic testing, conducted by the mitigator may suggest that the radon level has been successfully lowered, but *the only way to know that the system achieves the sought reduction is to perform a post-mitigation test in accordance with regulations. Relying on diagnostic testing that is neither standardized nor in accordance with regulatory requirements undermines the mitigation process. Further, it fails to document system performance and to activate your warranty in the event of system failure.

Effective June 1, 2013 all new construction of single-family homes or dwellings containing 2 or fewer apartments, condominiums, or town houses must have a passive radon pipe installed. The installation of this radon resistant construction may be performed by a residential building contractor or his or her subcontractors or a radon contractor during new residential construction.

This does not mean the residence does not have radon, it simply means that it has the bones for an active mitigation system should one be required and they often do!

                   *If you do not know the radon level, it should be measured by a professional.*

Only a radon mitigation contractor licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency may install a radon vent fan or upgrade this passive new construction pipe to an active mitigation system.

The primary benefit is reducing the risk of developing lung cancer.  Standard radon reduction systems are usually effective within 24 hours and maintain low levels as long as the fan is operating.  Another potential benefit of these systems is reduced infiltration of moist soil air with the radon, which may reduce the humidity level in the basement of the home.  Homeowners should consider correcting a radon problem before making final preparations to sell a home.  This often provides more time to address the problem and find the most cost-effective solution.  In addition, the current occupants--not just the buyer's occupants--will reap the benefit of reduced risk.

Your house type will affect the kind of radon reduction system that will work best. Houses are generally categorized according to their foundation design. For example: basement, slab-on-grade (concrete poured at ground level), or crawlspace (a shallow unfinished space under the first floor). Some houses have more than one foundation design feature. For instance, it is common to have a basement under part of the house and to have a slab-on-grade or crawlspace under the rest of the house. In these situations a combination of radon reduction techniques may be needed to reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L.

There are several methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. the EPA generally recommends methods that prevent the entry of radon.

In many cases, simple systems using underground pipes and an exhaust fan may be used to reduce radon. Such systems are called "sub-slab depressurization," and do not require major changes to your home. These systems remove radon gas from below the concrete floor and the foundation before it can enter the home. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon contractors use other methods that may also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors.

Sealing cracks and other openings in the floors and walls is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction. Sealing does two things, it limits the flow of radon into your home and it reduces the loss of conditioned air, thereby making other radon reduction techniques more effective and cost-efficient. The EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to reduce radon because, by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently. It is difficult to identify and permanently seal the places where radon is entering. Normal settling of your house opens new entry routes and reopens old ones.

Any information that you may have about the construction of your house could help your contractor choose the best system. Your contractor will perform a visual inspection of your house and design a system that is suitable. If this inspection fails to provide enough information, the contractor will need to perform diagnostic tests to help develop the best radon reduction system for your home. Whether diagnostic tests are needed is decided by details specific to your house, such as the foundation design, what kind of material is under your house, and by the contractor's experience with similar houses and similar radon test results.

The cost of making repairs to reduce radon is influenced by the size and design of your home and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water heater installed. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home is about $1,200, although this can range from $800 to about $2,000. Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home and which radon reduction methods are needed.

Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems.

Visit  https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon.html for a list of licensed mitigators in your area.