Radon Mitigation & Vapor Barrier Services
ARVS is an Indianapolis-based indoor air quality company focused on radon mitigation and testing for soil gas vapors. In addition, ARVS does crawl space vapor barriers, diagnostic testing, and sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) design.
Indianapolis Radon Testing
A radon test is the critical process of assessing the presence and concentration of radon gas in homes or buildings. If you’re a new homeowner or it’s been more than five years since you’ve had your home tested—particularly if you live in central Indiana, where radon is known to be prevalent—experts recommend either hiring a radon specialist or purchasing a home testing kit to assess your current levels.
At ARVS, we offer two options for radon testing: a self-administered test kit that can be mailed to you or dropped off, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and directions for using the test. The test kit is set up on the lowest livable space of the house for three days, then mailed to the laboratory where the results are analyzed.
The other option is an electronic continuous monitoring test that is set-up by our radon specialists and picked up after 3-5 days. The electronic monitor provides real time data and radon fluctuations over time, and the results can be used to even more accurately mitigate excessively high radon levels and minimize any potential health risks.
Indianapolis Radon Mitigation System
When radon seeps through the ground and accumulates at dangerous levels in a residential or commercial building, a radon mitigation system is necessary to reduce the levels of the colorless, odorless gas. The specific design of the radon system can depend on the structure and the severity of the problem. If you have a radon test performed and the level of radon gas is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher, you’ll need an experienced mitigation specialist capable of solving even the most complex air-quality issues.
When high levels of radon are found in your home, the seasoned professionals at ARVS will perform air pressure diagnostic testing that provides us with the data we need to design the mitigation system. There are several different methods that might be employed to lower your radon levels:
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Sub-Slab Depressurization System: Known as an SSDS, this method is the most common when it comes to mitigating radon. Typically it involves installing a “vent pipe” through the basement floor or slab to create a suction beneath the building’s foundation. The vent pipe is connected to a fan that draws the radon gas from beneath the building and safely expels it above the roof of the structure.
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Sealing Entry Points: By sealing all potential entry points such as cracks in the foundation or gaps around piping, we can prevent radon from entering the living areas of a structure by directing it towards the vent pipe and back outside.
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Ventilation: In some cases, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the mitigation process, additional ventilation may be required. This might involve the installation of fans or vents to improve air circulation and facilitate the mitigation of radon gas.
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Monitoring: After an SSD system has been installed by the pros at ARVS, it’s important that we continue to monitor the levels of radon to ensure that the system is functioning effectively, or if another approach might be necessary.
Chemical Vapor Mitigation & Testing
Harmful chemical vapors such as industrial chemicals, solvents, pesticides and other toxic substances can seep into indoor environments, requiring chemical vapor testing and mitigation to minimize the safety risks associated with exposure to such hazardous chemicals.
The specific vapor mitigation methods will vary depending on the nature of the chemicals involved, the location of intrusion, and the extent of the contamination. Among the more common methods of vapor mitigation we employ include:
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Source Control – Identifying and eliminating/minimizing the source of chemical vapors
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Ventilation Systems – Reducing the concentration of chemical vapor indoors through the use of a mechanical system
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Air Filtration – Activated carbon filters or other specialized filters that absorb or otherwise capture the chemicals
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Vapor Barrier Systems – Creating a barrier with plastic sheeting around the source of chemical vapors to prevent them from penetrating indoors
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Remediation – In some instances, full remediation is necessary to ensure the health and safety of any potential occupants of the home or building
Crawl Space Vapor Barriers
Crawl space encapsulation is the process of controlling moisture levels, improving indoor air quality and protecting the structural integrity of a building by installing a vapor barrier to prevent water intrusion in the crawl space area beneath a house or building.
After a specialist at ARVS assess the requirements of your crawl space, a vapor barrier, made of a durable and impermeable polyethylene plastic sheeting, is typically installed on the floor of the entire area, with the seams and joints carefully sealed to ensure an airtight and watertight seal. By blocking moisture from entering the crawl space it helps to control humidity levels and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth which can damage a building’s structure, insulation and HVAC systems. In addition to a vapor barrier, it may be necessary to utilize other measures like dehumidification and ventilation to control crawl space moisture.
Radon New Construction
Radon Technologies for New Construction
Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) are construction building techniques that can be used to reduce and build residential and commercial structures that allow for resistance and reduction of radon.
RRNC technologies starts with the foundation of the building. Installing a foundation that allows for the greatest amount of radon removal is possible.
Installing a sub-slab depressurization system during the building process can eliminate exposure to high radon levels and can allow for an internally routed system, which can be more aesthetically pleasing than an external system.