Oh no! My Condo failed a Radon Test (Reading, PA)
If you read my earlier post Can a Second Floor Condo have Radon?, I had a client call me for a home inspection in Reading, PA, on a second floor condo unit. They were also concerned about radon and requested a radon test, which turned out to be very smart of them!
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Surgeon General recommend every residence should have a radon test. Read more about radon by visiting www.epa.gov.
The levels for the second floor condo came back high at 7.9pCi/L (picocuries per liter) above the EPA's recommended level of 4.0 pCi/L and under. The condo failed a radon test and would need to be remediated. This would open up other issues.
If this second floor condo has high levels of radon, that means the same for neighboring units and worse news for the units on the first floor!
Then comes the issue of responsibility with a condo unit. I've come to find out that radon remediation is the condo unit owner's responsibility! It's not the condo association's responsibility, but they need to approve the work.
What do you do when you own or want to buy a condo that failed a radon test? It's easier if the unit is on the first floor, but there's hope for second floor units, too! Here are a few options:
Option 1- Sub-slab Depressurization System
This is the most common type of radon treatment and the system is a continually operating exhaust piping system. It's installed to draw the radon from under the slab to the outside. This is the least expensive option if you are a first floor unit. If you are a second floor unit, talk to the first floor about splitting costs! They might be interested to know about the radon levels in the building, too!
Option 2- Air Exchanger System
If you are a second floor condo unit and have an attic, this is a great option if only this single unit is being 
remediated.
There are Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) which are designed to bring a continuous supply of fresh air into the home while exhausting an equal amount of contaminated air.
The difference between the two ventilators is their energy core and how they transfer heat and moisture. HRVs are better for colder climates and ERVs are better for warmer climates.
You can find more information on Fantech's website.
So, if you find yourself saying "Oh no! My condo failed a radon test"... don't worry, there are options!
David Artigliere with ARTI Home Inspections LLC is a home inspector and certified Radon Tester in Reading, Pottstown, Norristown & the surrounding Greater Philadelphia area.
Visit him at www.artihomeinspections.com or call (610) 220-1907 for more information.
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