Types of Radon Systems
There are basically two types of radon systems, the passive radon system and the active radon system. The biggest difference is that the active system introduces a fan to create a vacuum under your slab. This vacuum combats the stack effect and is used when the passive system is unable to reduce the radon levels enough.
How Radon Systems Work
Both systems take advantage of a main pipe that originates below your basement slab and continues up above your roof. The concept is quite simple, migrate the radon from below your house, past the basement and out into the air. This eliminates the possibilities of having the concentrated gas in your home. The reason for passing the piping system past your roof line is so there is no possibility of the concentrated radon gas to get into a window or into the attic space of your home. In both the active and passive system, the stone area below your slab becomes the collecting place for the radon gas. The piping allows the air to escape though the piping and into the air. Add a radon fan and the effectiveness of your system greatly increases over the passive system.
Affordable Radon Systems
The key to a radon migration system is to have the piping component of the system installed during construction of your home. By putting the radon piping in during home construction you reduce the cost of having the system retrofitted for existing constructed home. This can save you hundreds and maybe a few thousand dollars in the long run.