Reducing Radon Levels in Crawlspaces

**Title: Home Radon Mitigation: Crawlspace Sub Membrane Depressurization Technique**

**Description:**
Learn how to protect your home from dangerous radon gas with the Do-It-Yourself book, “Protecting Your Home From Radon.” This comprehensive guide has helped thousands of homeowners reduce radon levels on their own or make informed decisions when hiring a contractor. To obtain a copy of the book or become a radon professional, visit [Certi.us](http://www.certi.us).

**Video Transcript:**
The exposed earth of a crawlspace is a major entry point for radon and other soil gases into your home. In this video, we’ll show you how to effectively control radon by using the sub membrane depressurization technique. This involves laying a durable polyethylene sheet on the soil, sealing the foundation walls and columns to prevent radon intrusion.

Before starting, it’s important to inspect the crawlspace for potential hazards such as friable asbestos, spiders, snakes, and hantavirus concerns. If you encounter any of these, special precautions should be taken, and in many cases, it’s best to hire professionals for the repairs.

Remove any stored materials, excess debris, or sharp objects that may damage the plastic sheeting. Next, lay a length or loop of perforated pipes on the earth, connecting them to a tee fitting in a suitable location for your planned vent system.

Cut the polyethylene sheet to fit the dimensions of the crawlspace, allowing for overlapping seams. It’s also recommended to lay carpet scraps on high-traffic areas to protect the plastic. Start by applying a thick and continuous bead of polyurethane around the walls, pressing the plastic against it to form an edge seal.

Seal the barrier to pads and support posts if there are appliances in the crawl space. For appliances like furnaces, temporarily suspend them using metal strapping, and slide the plastic beneath. Remember to seal around pipes, such as water or sewer lines, while still allowing access to cleanouts.

Complete the foundation portion of the system by connecting solid PVC schedule 40 pipe into the riser, routing it to your planned exhaust system. Once the system is complete, turn on the fan, and you’ll notice the plastic being drawn down towards the soil, indicating its effectiveness.

If any leaks are identified, use a smoke bottle to locate them and apply additional caulk to seal them. The goal is to create a well-sealed system that efficiently mitigates radon.

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**Sources:**
– [Certi.us](http://www.certi.us) – Obtain the book or become a radon professional.

http://www.certi.us This video is based upon the Do-It-Yourself book Protecting Your Home From Radon which thousands of homeowners have used to either reduce radon themselves or be more informed when hiring a contractor. To obtain as copy of this book or learn how to become a radon professional go to: http://www.certi.usEve Gravel