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What to do about radon testing in a new build home

VacationForever said:
I thought HVAC vents in the floor were done only in the 50s. I did not know that new buildings can come that way too.
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LOL! I would say that 99% of the new homes around here have the ductwork in the floor. It is easier to install and maintain via the basement vs. the attic.

Kurt
 
PigsDad said:
LOL! I would say that 99% of the new homes around here have the ductwork in the floor. It is easier to install and maintain via the basement vs. the attic.

Kurt
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I'm in a brand new house - -it's in the floor.
 
Then
PigsDad said:
LOL! I would say that 99% of the new homes around here have the ductwork in the floor. It is easier to install and maintain via the basement vs. the attic.

Kurt
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Maybe it has to do with the states that I have experience with and the homes do not typically come with basements.
 
mpumilia said:
Yes. I know. But the builder seems to think it is a problem to use a vapor barrier - at least according to his realtor.
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A vapor barrier in theory is a good idea but I haven't been able to pour a slab where the barrier doesn't get a few holes in it. Sealing the slab with a deep penetrating sealer is probably better. A combination of both products usually doesn't cost much. The vapor barrier is just thick plastic and the sealer cost about $25 a gallon.

Bill
 
VacationForever said:
I thought HVAC vents in the floor were done only in the 50s. I did not know that new buildings can come that way too.
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House built in 1988 has some on floor and some against base of wall. Florida house has ceiling vent, no basement
 
Some one else told us about the sealer so we are definitely considering that option.
 
bogey21 said:
I'm so out of touch I didn't know radon was something to be concerned about until reading this thread...

George
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It is required testing in most states- at least with resales. In NH, though, not as strict which is crazy considering the granite.
 
rapmarks said:
House built in 1988 has some on floor and some against base of wall. Florida house has ceiling vent, no basement
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But our new house will have a basement.
 
I guess more to do if the floor is cement slab or not. Not easy to run a duct vent through it.
 
bogey21 said:
I'm so out of touch I didn't know radon was something to be concerned about until reading this thread...

George
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Side note, testing for radon gas and radon gas mitigation methods are somewhat popular for high school science fair projects.
 
bogey21 said:
I'm so out of touch I didn't know radon was something to be concerned about until reading this thread...
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I guess it depends on what part of the country you have lived. It is just a problem with certain soil types.

Kurt
 
We were speaking to a builder today at what will be our new development and he said he thinks the whole radon thing is overblown. He said NH and it's people have been around a long time and people never tested for radon in the past. Radon in NH is almost everywhere and somehow natives survived into their 80's and 90's. Good point.
 
mpumilia said:
\ Radon in NH is almost everywhere and somehow natives survived into their 80's and 90's. Good point.
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At least those that did not die of lung cancer from radon.
 
I grew up in a house in Philadelphia that had coal dust every where every time a load of coal was delivered; asbestos flaking off the pipes in the basement where I played; a fire place that produced who knows what; parents (and grand parents) who chain smoked inside the house (and in our cars) and a metal crib where I chewed off the lead based paint when I was a toddler. Eighty four years later and I'm still here and apparently in good health. And radon, I never heard of it...

George
 
bogey21 said:
I grew up in a house in Philadelphia that had coal dust every where every time a load of coal was delivered; asbestos flaking off the pipes in the basement where I played; a fire place that produced who knows what; parents (and grand parents) who chain smoked inside the house (and in our cars) and a metal crib where I chewed off the lead based paint when I was a toddler. Eighty four years later and I'm still here and apparently in good health. And radon, I never heard of it...

George
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I was just thinking, also- there are of course- a ton of people who rent apartments and homes and so forth in NH and everywhere- our son included. His studio is on a bottom floor of a 2 story building. Thought never crossed his (or our minds) for him to test for radon and I am sure most other renters don't test either. Even if they did and found a high level- I doubt most landlords would do anything about it.

This all said- we will take some kind of action when our home is built.
 
bogey21 said:
I grew up in a house in Philadelphia that had coal dust every where every time a load of coal was delivered; asbestos flaking off the pipes in the basement where I played; a fire place that produced who knows what; parents (and grand parents) who chain smoked inside the house (and in our cars) and a metal crib where I chewed off the lead based paint when I was a toddler. Eighty four years later and I'm still here and apparently in good health. And radon, I never heard of it...
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By that argument, we shouldn't need seat belts or air bags or crumple zones or child seats in our cars, because you survived without those. Hmmm. :ponder:

Kurt
 
I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that our obsession about things that are dangerous to one's health, although real, are significantly overblown...

George
 
bogey21 said:
I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that our obsession about things that are dangerous to one's health, although real, are significantly overblown...
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And I'm saying that just because these things didn't affect you personally, it doesn't mean that the reactions to these dangers today are "significantly overblown"...

Kurt
 
A vapor barrier under a basement slab is used more to protect the finished flooring materials. Without a barrier moisture can ruin adhesives, carpets , grout lines and wood floors.

A vapor barrier under the slab also protects the building from absorbing moisture and often improves the indoor air quality by reducing humidity. The hvac system removes humidity so in theory the hvac system works less by using a vapor barrier.

Using a vapor barrier under a slab can make a better pour and finish meaning less need to use a concrete leveler to install a finished floor. Some slabs curl so much that the entire floor has to be leveled to install anything but carpet.

Radon isn't really the main reason I think of for using a vapor barrier but for the cost of 6 mil plastic sheeting it does seem foolish not to install the barrier. The main thing I think of regarding vapor barriers is the HVAC system.

Bill
 
bogey21 said:
I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that our obsession about things that are dangerous to one's health, although real, are significantly overblown...

George
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I suppose it depends on which obsession and how significantly it's overblown

For me, smoking, asbestos, lead paint, etc., are real health hazards, radon gas -
https://www.cdc.gov/features/protect-home-radon/index.html

not a problem where I live but for others radon gas is a significant health hazard and apparently not overblown
 
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