Let's Talk About Being Pro-Active About Radon In New Construction!
There's been many health related links associated with homes having Radon. For an existing home, you can have the levels checked prior to purchase.
But on a newly built home, you won't know if your new home will have a high Radon reading. Radon-resistant techniques (features) may vary for different foundations and site requirements. If you're having a house built, you can learn about EPA's Model Standards (and architectural drawings) and explain the techniques to your builder. If your new house was built (or will be built) to be radon-resistant, it will include these basic elements:
A. Gas Permeable Layer: This layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the material used is a 4-inch layer of clean gravel.
B. Plastic Sheeting: Plastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, the sheeting is placed over the crawlspace floor.
C. Sealing and Caulking: All openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil gas entry into the home.
D. Vent Pipe: A 3- or 4-inch gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases above the house.
E. Junction Box: An electrical junction box is installed in case an electric venting fan is needed later.