Radon Mitigation FAQs
Certified Radon Mitigation Contractor
American Radon Mitigation is a member of NRPP and AARST and listed with the Minnesota Department of Health.
Don’t settle for a fly-by-night, one-size-fits-all contractor, here are some important questions to ask when choosing a radon mitigation contractor:


First of all, sellers have an incentive to look closer at cost than quality and make a decision to go with the cheapest option. Most sellers and rock-bottom-priced contractors do not have the buyer’s best interest in mind.
American Radon Mitigation is not willing to cut corners to meet the lowest bid. We like to mitigate every home as if it were our own. Our goal is to get radon levels lower than the standard 4 pCi/L standard. As the buyer, you can insist to the home seller that American Radon Mitigation installs the correct system on your new home so you can be confident the job is done right with your best interest at heart.
Yes! We use a thorough process, often overlooked by other contractors, referred to as Pressure Field Extension testing (PFE)
- To test air flow, we establish suction points and drill a small hole in the concrete floor in different corners of the home.
- We use a gauge that measures negative pressure (or vacuum) to ensure we’re pulling adequate air in that area of the home.
- This gauge helps us decide:
- which radon fan is the best choice for your home
- what size pipe is needed
- if any additional suction points are necessary
American Radon Mitigation will pull any permits required by your city.
Yes, American Radon Mitigation will provide a written proposal to be signed before work begins.
DO NOT allow a radon contractor to wire the fan themselves – this could pose a fire hazard and any damage may not be covered by homeowners insurance as the work was not completed by a licensed electrician.
American Radon Mitigation arranges for a licensed electrician to wire the fan. The licensed electrician will pull the necessary permits and their work will be inspected. The typical charge is generally $275 to $475.
American Radon Mitigation warranties our materials and workmanship for one year. Most radon fans have a five year manufacturer’s warranty. Roof flashings have a 10 year warranty.
How will my radon system be evaluated?
We have a double-check system.
- American Radon Mitigation records the negative pressures from the test holes once the system is installed
- We provide you a free post-mitigation test kit.
Our double-check system makes sure we have met or exceeded our personal standards and EPA standards.
Yes! American Radon Mitigation takes the time to educate all homeowners on system operations and what to do if you encounter a problem.
Most of the homes on which American Radon Mitigation works come back below 0.5 pCi/L. Our goal is to get radon levels as close to outdoor radon levels as possible – the national average outdoor radon level is 0.4 pCi/L.
If a post-mitigation test reveals elevated levels, American Radon Mitigation will do additional sealing, additional suction points, and/or fan upgrades.
American Radon Mitigation can provide our certification numbers at your request and we’re also proud to share reviews and references.
No. Here’s why:
There may be unexpected factors we come across during the testing and installation process that could alter the quoted price.
- Specific soil conditions
- Additional suction points
- Sealing air leaks in the concrete slab, block cores and/or plumbing penetrations
Our level of expertise means we offer you a mitigation system that will work.
Yes. Unfortunately, we often see contractors skip this very important step to save about 15 minutes of time and $80 in materials. Firestop collars prevent a fire from spreading from the garage to the house through the radon pipe penetration of a fire rated wall.
We take safety very seriously and never skip important safety measures.
American Radon Mitigation uses environmentally-friendly products that are virtually odorless, non-flammable and low volatile organic compounds (VOC), whenever possible.
Yes! Unlike many contractors, American Radon Mitigation uses only the highest quality materials in all our systems. For example:
- Our sump covers are made of clear Lexan and are able to support the weight of an adult
- All roof flashings carry a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty
- A majority of the radon fans we use have long lasting German-made motors
Many contractors use thin wall PVC pipe that becomes brittle and cracks easily when cold. American Radon Mitigation uses only schedule 40 PVC pipe, which is higher quality and longer lasting.
Typically, we use 4” pipe on drain tile depressurization systems and 3” pipe on sub slab depressurization systems. When pipes will be exposed to the cold, we always use 4” pipe as it is less susceptible to freezing.
The pipe must exhaust one foot above the roof, at least 10 feet above ground and two feet above any window within 10 feet, according to code. This will prevent high radon concentrations from re-entering a home or being inhaled while outdoors on a patio or deck.
Yes! Backdrafting is the reverse flow of gas from fuel-fired appliances (such as water heaters and furnaces) that results in a buildup of carbon monoxide inside your home. American Radon Mitigation tests for backdraft and takes measures such as sealing air leaks in the floor and dampening down a radon fan to fix most backdraft situations caused by a radon mitigation system. Additional makeup air is sometimes required.
Yes! American Radon Mitigation, will leave your home as clean, or even cleaner, than when we got there.
When we come out to give you a bid, we bring a fan so you can hear what it sounds like. Because some fans are louder than others, we do offer a system noise suppressor which reduces the noise by approximately 75 percent.
Yes! American Radon Mitigation offers a variety of accessories including:
- low air flow alarms
- water alarms
- noise suppressors
- digital radon monitors
No. The goal is for radon-laden air to move up and away from your home. Rain caps are a magnet for ice build-up and can allow radon to re-enter your home through nearby windows. The small amount of rain that does enter the system will simply flow down into the soil as the pipe is pitched to allow for condensation to drain.
We do install a critter guard to keep any small animals and birds from entering the system.
Indoor radon fans are against code. If the system were ever to develop a leak on the exhaust side of the fan, it would pump high levels of radon into the home – also called “mining for radon.”
In order of suggestion:
- Garage attic
- Home attic
- Outside of the home
Yes! American Radon Mitigation insulates all pipe in garages and attics. This helps prevent system freeze-up, as well as any water damage due to condensation forming on the pipe and dripping onto the drywall.