What is a Radon Mitigation System?

An Radon Mitigation System (RMS) is a system that ventilates air containing radon, and radon daughter particles safely to the exterior of your home where they are diluted in the atmosphere.  There are two main types of radon systems passive and active.  A "passive RMS" is installed during new construction, and is generally the most inexpensive route.  It is a layer of Polyethylene sheeting is placed on top of the gravel layer in the foundation and slab of the structure.  A gas tight venting pipe ventilates sub-slab gases out the roof thru a natural drafting affect.  Generally a passive system can be installed for $350- $500, and will be completely affective in eliminating radon.  Occasionally these systems do not produce enough draft to control the radon level, but the installation of a electric fan can increase the efficiency of the system ridding the house of radon.  The addition of a fan turns a passive system in to the second type of system, an "active radon mitigation system".  In an active system an electric fan is used to create a sub-slab vacuum with pulls the radon from the gravel and ventilates it to the atmosphere faster then it can build up to a harmful level.  

There are many factors that dictate the design of an RMS, so if your house is in need of a system it is best to contact use for a evaluation and estimate.  Omni personnel will hand every aspest of the installation prosses from the evaluation to the final report to the state.  Installation generally only takes about a day, and scheduling is relatively flexable.  

As you can see from the pictures the system are relitively inobtrusive, and make no noice.  Most systems areeffective with a single suction point and one ventilation line.  There is no maintenence required for the systems, and the motors a warrentied to 10 years, so other than periodically cheching to make sure the system in running you will never have to touch it again.  It is recommended that the home own does continue to do periodic radon testing (yearly).  Operation costs for a system range from $30.00 -$150.00 per year depending on the size of the system, size of the house, age of the house, and several other factors.  This cost includes the electricity to operate the ssystem as well as the heating and cooling cost incurred by ventilating the structure.