Protecting Your Home

From Radon*

(Second Edition)

A Step-By-Step Manual for Radon Reduction

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A simple and understandable manual for individuals wanting to reduce exposure to radon for themselves and their families.

Designed for the “do-it-yourself” homeowner, or for those who would like to hire a qualified contractor and desire more information..

Suitable for distribution through libraries, health agencies, EPA Cooperative Partners, extension services, and building repair centers.

Usable as a stand-alone document, or as a training supplement for in-depth public education programs.

Radon Reduction Manual Contents

This detailed manual describes the most common methods for reliably reducing radon in a home.

Written in a non-technical format, the book includes step-by-step instructions and illustrations to guide homeowners through the radon mitigation process.

Chapter 1: Health Effects

A discussion of the risks associated with radon. Designed to validate the homeowner’s concern.

Chapter 2: Measurements

A summary of the most common measurement methods. Designed to verify that proper pre-mitigation and post-mitigation measurements are made.

Chapter 3: Radon Entry

An explanation of radon entry and how it is minimized by mitigation systems that employ active soil depressurization techniques (ASD).

Chapter 4: Crawl Space Systems

A detailed description of how sub-membrane depressurization systems are installed in homes with crawl spaces.

Chapter 5: Drainage Based Systems

How existing sumps and drain tiles can be modified for cost-effective radon reduction.

Chapter 6: Sub-Slab Systems

How sub-slab depressurization systems are designed and installed in basement, slab-on-grade and multi-level homes.

Chapter 7: Piping Systems

A description of the fans, piping, and indicator systems that are connected to the three ASD systems detailed in Chapters 4, 5, and 6.

Chapter 8: Caulking and Sealing

How caulking and sealing are used to improve the performance of ASD systems and reduce both operating costs and the potential for backdrafting.

Chapter 9: Combining Approaches

How a combination of approaches is used in homes with multiple types of foundations. Phasing and alternate technologies requiring contractors are described.

Chapter 10: Safety

An in-depth discussion of safe installation practices, including personal protective gear and area ventilation. The need to check for backdrafting and most-mitigation radon testing is emphasized.

Chapter 11: New Home Systems

How to install cost-effective radon control systems during new home construction.

Chapter 12: Selecting a Contractor

For people who want to make an educated decision about hiring a contractor to perform all or part of a mitigation system.

Concept of the Manual

Each of the chapters on installation are broken into two sections:

Planning a system, including the materials and equipment needed.

Installing the system with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.

Activity steps are aided by illustrations, text, checklists, and several stopping points, to ensure that proper safety precautions are followed.

Flow Chart and Checklists

A flow chart is included that guides the reader through the book as well as throughout the process. Designed to minimize the superfluous information a homeowner reads, this method also ensures that all necessary steps are followed.

Several checklists are included to insure that proper tools and materials are obtained.

Supplemental Information Included

• Local and national material supply sources

• U.S. EPA’s Citizen’s Guide

• U.S. EPA’s Consumer’s Guide

• U.S. EPA’s Radon Mitigation Standards

About the Second Edition

The first edition of this book was written in 1993, to assist what was thought to be an occasional do-it-yourself homeowner. In reality, the number of individuals wanting to reduce radon levels themselves was much higher than anticipated. In addition, the manual was being utilized to better understand the radon mitigation process prior to hiring a contractor, and to design systems installed into homes during construction.

The overwhelming success of the book led to the distribution of several thousand copies to individuals and libraries. Its popularity identified the need to address the process of hiring contractors and installing passive and active systems in new home construction. The second edition, now readily available, has these two substantive additions.

How Well Does the Book Work?

The authors have received letters and telephone calls from hundreds of homeowners who have successfully used the book to install radon reductions systems. The authors have inspected systems installed by users of the book and found them to be equal to, if not superior to, work done by contractors.

Because it is such a concise document, it has also been used as a training manual for housing authorities and weatherization agencies, as well as many do-it-yourself workshops sponsored by governmental agencies and large hardware retailers (such as Home Depot, Hugh M. Woods, Builder’s Square, and ABC Plumbing and Electrical).

About the Authors

Douglas L. Kladder

Mr. Kladder is the Associate Director and the lead mitigation instructor at the Western Regional Radon Training Center, housed at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He has been intimately involved with the development and installation of radon mitigation systems since 1986.

Dr. James F. Burkhart

Dr. Burkhart is the Director at the Western Regional Radon Training Center at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and the lead radon measurement instructor. He is also a professor of physics at the University of Colorado.

Steven R. Jelinek

Mr. Jelinek, a former instructor at the Western Regional Radon Training Center and licensed building contractor, contributed his extensive experience in the installation of radon mitigation systems.                                               



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