What Is Radon Mitigation?
Have you recently tested your home and discovered high radon levels?
Finding out there is a radioactive gas in your basement is definitely a stressful moment. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, 5 out of 7 homes in the state test above the 4.0 pCi/L limit.
As an Iowa City radon company, we specialize in lowering those radon levels inside your home and keeping them low. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from uranium breaking down in soil and rock. Glacial deposits like the Des Moines Lobe leave a massive amount of that material under Iowa homes.
Our active soil depressurization systems pull radon directly from beneath your foundation. This custom setup vents the invisible gas safely above the roofline. Here is what you can expect during the process:
- Custom sizing: Technicians match suction points and fan capacity to your specific layout.
- Massive reduction: We routinely take homes from dangerous readings above 4.0 pCi/L to below 1.0 pCi/L, achieving up to a 98.9% reduction.
- Professional setup: Installers credentialed by Iowa HHS handle the setup and the post-mitigation test.
- Guaranteed results: Our 5-year warranty backs up every single installation for total peace of mind.
You start the simple process with a free virtual estimate. Homeowners just send photos to get a clear, flat-rate price. We only ask you to book an on-site visit once you feel completely ready. If you want to understand the exact mechanics before committing, check out our helpful guide on how a radon mitigation system works.
How Does a Radon Mitigation System Work?
The most common system in Iowa is sub-slab depressurization (SSD). This setup uses negative pressure to capture the gas before it enters your living space.
We follow a specific process to build a standard installation. Here is exactly what goes into the system:
- Suction pit: Technicians core a clean hole through the basement floor and dig out a small pit in the gravel or soil underneath. This hollow space gives the fan a much bigger area to pull from.
- Sealed pipe: Schedule 40 PVC pipe runs directly from the suction pit to the outside. Installers glue and seal every joint so radon cannot leak back into the house.
- Inline radon fan: We mount a specialized fan outside the living space. Popular, highly rated models like the RadonAway RP145 or Festa Radon Maverick typically draw just 40 to 70 watts of electricity. These units run around the clock in the attic, garage, or on an exterior wall.
- Roofline discharge: The pipe terminates safely above the roofline and far away from windows. This ensures the gas dilutes instantly into the open air.
- U-tube manometer: This simple visual gauge on the pipe shows the system is actively pulling suction. Homeowners can glance at it any time to confirm everything is running smoothly.
Our technicians always run a pressure field extension (PFE) check before finishing the job. This critical test uses a micromanometer to verify that the suction reaches all the way across the concrete slab. Measurements usually need to hit at least -0.004 inches of water column to ensure full coverage.
We also perform careful backdraft testing on homes with fuel-burning appliances. The goal is to verify that the new suction system does not interfere with how your furnace or water heater vents exhaust. All of these design steps closely follow the strict ANSI/AARST SGM-SF standard for single-family homes.
When Should You Mitigate?
The EPA action level for radon is 4.0 pCi/L. Any test result at or above that number means the government officially recommends fixing the home. We like to remind homeowners that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the US every year.
| Radon Test Result (pCi/L) | EPA Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 4.0 and higher | Action is required to fix the home. |
| 2.0 to 3.9 | Consider fixing, as no level is completely safe. |
| Below 2.0 | Standard outdoor background levels. |
Our advice is to pay close attention to those middle numbers between 2.0 and 3.9. Testing devices can sometimes be confusing to read. If you feel unsure what your specific number means, take a look at what radon level is safe or try our quick radon test result calculator.
Winter weather dramatically changes how this gas behaves. The stack effect during a freezing Iowa winter actually pulls more soil gas into a tightly closed-up house. Solid, frozen ground outside can also push a higher volume of gas directly toward your warmer foundation.
We highly recommend installing a system in the fall. Getting ahead of the freeze keeps your indoor air healthy during the exact months when readings typically spike the highest.
Radon Mitigation Problems We Fix in Iowa Homes
Every foundation presents slightly different challenges. Here are the most common scenarios our technicians solve.
A failed inspection with a closing date coming up
A high radon result during a home sale definitely does not have to stall the deal. Real estate transactions usually require mitigation within a tight 7 to 10-day window before closing.
We provide virtual estimates to give buyers and sellers an instant, accurate price from photos. This fast pricing helps everyone agree on the work and move forward.
Our team prioritizes scheduling the install and then immediately running a post-mitigation test for official clearance. Negotiating these costs can sometimes be stressful. Our guide explaining who pays for radon mitigation in an Iowa home sale covers the most common ways buyers and sellers handle the expense.
An open sump or a crawlspace that leaks radon
Many Iowa basements feature an open sump crock. A large number of older properties also mix a traditional basement with a dirt crawlspace.
We know that both of these openings act like highways for soil gas. Leaving them exposed severely weakens the suction power of your main system.
Our technicians install clear polycarbonate Lexan covers with airtight gaskets over open sump pits. These specialized lids allow you to see the pump while keeping the dangerous gas out. Crawlspaces require a heavy-duty, 12-mil cross-laminated vapor barrier sealed securely to the foundation walls. You can find all the technical details in sump pits and radon and crawlspace radon mitigation.
A new home with a passive pipe that isn’t enough
Builders frequently install a passive radon pipe with no fan during construction. This simple stack often lacks the pulling power to get a home below the 4.0 threshold.
We can usually upgrade these setups easily by adding a high-efficiency fan. Converting a passive stack into an active system takes a fraction of the time of a full install.
Without active suction, the gas simply follows the path of least resistance back into your living room. Learn more about how this upgrade works in passive vs. active radon systems.
A rural home on a private well
Living on an acreage with a private well introduces a totally different risk. Radon can actually off-gas directly out of your water when you shower, cook, or do laundry.
Our waterborne radon systems treat the water itself, which is completely separate from soil gas. Technicians install specialized aeration systems that strip the gas from the water before it ever reaches your tap.
Granular activated carbon filters are another effective option for lower concentration levels. Start exploring these specific solutions with radon in well water.
How Much Does Radon Mitigation Cost in Iowa City?
Getting a fair price should be simple and transparent. The national average cost for a standard mitigation system typically ranges from $1,200 to $1,800.
We quote radon mitigation in Iowa City, Johnson County, and Linn County as one single flat rate. Your specific number depends entirely on a few key variables:
- Foundation type: Basements, slabs, and crawlspaces all require different approaches.
- Suction points: Larger or complex footprints might need more than one core hole.
- Pipe routing: Running PVC through an attached garage is different than an exterior wall.
- Sealing needs: Open sumps and dirt crawlspaces must be covered securely.
Our initial estimate is totally free. Installers never add hidden line items on the day of the job.
Our pricing structure sits comfortably in the mid-market to highly competitive range. The rates consistently undercut the larger, national franchise companies operating in the area.
Keeping the system running does add a very small amount to your monthly electric bill. We find this usually averages about $3 to $5 a month depending on the fan model. Our detailed guide on radon mitigation cost in Iowa explains each individual cost driver so you know exactly what to expect.
What Does the 5-Year Warranty Cover?
Peace of mind is a major part of the service. Every single active system and installation carries a comprehensive 5-year warranty.
We want you to know that a quality fan typically lasts about 7 to 10 years. This guarantee completely covers the most vulnerable early period of operation.
“If your post-mitigation test is not where it should be, we will immediately adjust the system to make it right.”
We might add another suction point, upsize the fan motor, or seal another hidden entry point. The primary goal is always to hit that safe sub-1.0 pCi/L target. If you are curious about long-term reliability, our guide discussing whether radon mitigation systems really work shows what exact reduction to expect and what limits results.
Ready to see your number?
Just grab your phone and snap a few basement photos.
Send them over for a free virtual estimate. You can also read what to expect on installation day first.