Further concerns about radon gas in the home
Q. We were in escrow to sell our home, but the buyers canceled the deal when their inspector reported unsafe levels of radon gas. Now we're wondering how we can sell our home. Who will buy it when they learn about radioactive contamination in the air? Is there anything we can do to eliminate this problem?
A. Overreaction to the presence of radon has become common because of inadequate information. To maintain a reasonable perspective, we should remember two basic facts:
1. The effects of radon, according to the EPA, are based upon long-term exposure (approximately 30 years of repeated contact).
2. Radon mitigation is neither complicated nor expensive.
Radon gas is discharged from the soil nearly everywhere, producing low levels of concentration in our atmosphere. When radon emission occurs beneath a building, it can reach higher concentrations because it is accumulating within the enclosed space of a structure. The air pressure in most buildings is less than that of the outside environment, and radon gas is attracted to low-pressure indoor areas.
Fortunately, this natural attraction to low-pressure areas can be used to draw the radon away from your home. The most common mitigation method is to install a metal shaft, extending from beneath the floor to the open air above the roof. This is usually done with homes built on concrete slab foundations. The shaft is usually concealed in an obscure location, such as the corner of a closet, where it extends through a small hole in the slab. Once the shaft is in place, it is equipped with a quiet electric fan, designed to operate continuously and permanently. The low pressure created by the fan draws the radon from the soil beneath the building and discharges it above the roof.
The cost for this type of radon mitigation is approximately $1,500 to $2,000: not pocket change, but certainly reasonable if it renders your home radon-free and salable.
Q. I'm writing to share some fireplace maintenance advice that may be of benefit to your readers. Let them know they can save the cost of a chimney sweep by burning their Christmas tree after the holiday season. The high heat produced by the pine oils will burn out the creosote in the flue, leaving it as clean as a whistle.
A. Burning a Christmas tree in your fireplace is a dangerous procedure because it can cause a chimney fire. It is urgently advised that you not do this. You may have gotten away with it in the past, just as some people have managed to drive drunk without causing an accident. Sooner or later, both practices can lead to tragic results.
The creosote that accumulates in your chimney is a highly combustible fuel. When it ignites, it can become hot enough to melt a metal chimney and can cause structural cracks in masonry ones. Without realizing it, you may already be in possession of a damaged chimney. You could even be venting hot smoke into your attic.
It is strongly advised that you have the system inspected by a certified chimney sweep and that you cease and desist from practicing Russian roulette with your fireplace.
• To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.
© 2017, Action Coast Publishing