Many radon mitigation systems in Colorado are installed to get levels just under 4.0 pCi/L.
Our approach is different.
When radon levels are high in your home, protecting your family becomes the priority. You want your home to be a safe place to live, gather, and grow.
At American Radon Mitigation, that is the goal behind every system we design.
Our goal is to engineer a system that brings radon levels as low as possible. That’s why we offer Colorado’s lowest guarantee of 1.5 pCi/L or less*.
The EPA and the American Lung Association both emphasize that there is no safe level of radon exposure.
A Recent Client Story: Two Systems Installed; Radon Still High
We recently worked with homeowners who had just purchased a home with a radon mitigation system already in place.
During the home inspection, radon levels tested high.
To address this, the sellers installed a second radon system on the other side of the home: one on the north side and one on the south side.
Even with two systems running, radon levels were still elevated.
- Their EcoQube radon monitor was consistently reading above 4.0 pCi/L
- A professional CRM test came in at 3.9 pCi/L, which technically cleared the sellers
The homeowners found themselves in a common and difficult position. Their house had technically passed a real estate radon test, yet the data did not provide enough confidence to actually move in.
What We Found During Diagnostic Testing
We performed diagnostic radon and pressure field extension (PFE) testing to understand what was happening beneath the slab.
The issue became clear.
Neither system was creating suction beneath the walkout side of the basement.
So even though multiple systems had been installed, a large part of the home was still allowing radon to enter.
Why a Larger Radon Fan Was Not the Right Solution
In situations like this, many radon contractors in Colorado will recommend installing a larger radon fan.
While that can sometimes produce a small reduction in radon, it often:
- Adds noise
- Increases operating costs
- Still doesn’t significantly reduce radon levels
In this home, the original system already had a large fan installed. It was producing a constant, noticeably loud hum in the master bedroom.
What We Did to Reduce Radon Below 1.0 pCi/L
Instead of relying solely on more airflow, we focused on creating suction where it was missing.
This included:
- Sealing the floor-to-wall joint along the walkout side of the basement
- Creating access and sealing an open plumbing block-out below the bathtub
- Testing multiple locations to find the best place for a new suction point
- Installing a new suction point near the patio door
- Connecting that area by stitching beneath the slab from the mechanical room
- Replacing the loud radon fan and adding a noise suppressor
We also brought the existing systems into compliance by:
- Extending the discharge piping above the roof
- Adding audible radon system alarms
- Creating an ongoing monitoring and maintenance plan
The Result: Low Radon Levels and a Quiet System
Once suction reached the entire foundation:
- Radon levels dropped below 1.0 pCi/L
- Coverage was consistent throughout the home
- The system operated without the noise that was previously heard in the bedroom
Reducing radon levels below 1.0 pCi/L changed everything for these homeowners.
They were no longer settling for a minimum standard or a noisy fan. For the first time since closing, they had confidence that their mitigation system was effectively doing its job, allowing them to finally move in without second-guessing if their home was safe.
Why Low Radon Levels Matter for Colorado Homeowners
High radon levels are common across Colorado, including areas like Golden, Evergreen, and the foothills.
Many radon systems are installed to meet minimum standards, not to achieve the lowest possible radon levels.
A system that passes a radon test is not necessarily the same as one that significantly reduces radon exposure.
Radon does not enter every home the same way. Even homes on the same street can behave completely differently.
In areas like Golden, Evergreen, and the surrounding foothills, we often see:
- Newer homes with passive radon systems
- Tight, rocky, clay soil
- Homes with additions or complex foundations
- Large estates with multiple foundation zones
- Dirt crawlspaces below the living area
- Homes with drain tile water management systems
- Finished basements that limit access to the slab
These factors affect how radon-laden air moves beneath your home, which means effective radon mitigation must be customized.
Where Many Radon Systems Fall Short
Many radon systems are installed using a simple approach:
- One suction point
- Little to no diagnostic testing
- A radon fan selected without pressure field extension data
- Installation completed in just a few hours
That approach can work in some homes.
In others, it often leads to:
- Strong suction in one area and no suction in another
- Radon entry from untreated areas
- Loud radon systems from oversized fans
- High operating costs
- Systems that technically “pass” while still leaving high radon exposure
When these systems don’t work, the common next step is to:
- Install a larger fan, or
- Add another system
Those approaches can sometimes help, though they often don’t address the root problem.
What Actually Achieves Low Radon Levels
The key to getting radon levels low is creating consistent suction beneath the entire home to address all major radon entry points.
When that is achieved:
- Radon gas is captured before entering the home
- Radon levels often drop below 1.0 pCi/L
This level of radon reduction requires diagnostic testing and custom system design.
Our Approach at American Radon Mitigation
At American Radon Mitigation, we use a diagnostic approach:
- Test before designing
- Design before installing
- Install based on data, not assumptions
We take a diagnostic-first approach to determine where suction is needed and how the system should be designed.
This may include:
Testing Suction Beneath Your Home
We drill small test holes and use specialized equipment to measure the pressure beneath your home. This process is referred to as pressure field extension testing (PFE). This shows us exactly which areas are being reached, and which areas are not.
Using Multiple Radon Monitors During Installation
We place multiple radon monitors throughout the home to see how levels respond as the system is being built. This allows us to track progress in real time and confirm that the system is working as intended.
Using a Radon Sniffer to Find Problem Areas
We use specialized tools to measure radon concentrations beneath adjacent slabs, such as garages, patios, or front steps. This helps identify hidden areas where radon may accumulate and enter the home.
Addressing Adjacent Slabs When Needed
Radon can accumulate beneath adjacent slabs and be drawn into the home through garage floors, front steps, and patios.
When needed, these areas can be depressurized as part of the system.
Using Multiple Suction Points When Needed
Many homes require several suction points working together to address all radon entry points.
Measurements from pressure field extension testing help determine how many suction points are needed and where to place them.
Connecting Areas Beneath the Slab
In homes with finished spaces, adding multiple suction points is not always practical.
In those cases, we may connect areas beneath the slab so suction can reach more of the home. This process, often called stitching, involves coring multiple holes to create a small tunnel beneath the concrete slab. Concrete is used to plug the holes so the flooring can be put back in place.
Designing the System Based on Data
Fan size, pipe size, suction point location, and system layout are selected based on your home’s behavior and diagnostic testing measurements.
Every decision is guided by data, not guesswork.
What This Means for Your Home
If your goal is to reduce radon as much as possible, the challenge is not simply deciding where to place a radon system. The real challenge is ensuring all radon entry points are treated.
Our data-driven approach often involves:
- Continuous diagnostic testing
- Multiple suction points or systems
- Evaluating and treating adjacent slabs
- Working within finished spaces
- A multi-day installation process
The Difference: Confidence in Your Home
At the end of the day, this is not just about piping, fans, or equipment.
It is about confidence.
Imagine getting your post-mitigation test results back and seeing levels that are not just barely below a guideline, but meaningfully low.
Low enough that you do not second-guess it.
Low enough that you are not wondering if something was missed.
That confidence comes from knowing that suction is being created beneath the entire home, all radon entry points have been addressed, and the system was designed based on data.
It takes more time. It requires more diagnostic testing. And it is a higher level of work.
Because of this, our systems are a significantly higher investment than standard radon mitigation installations.
Take the First Step
If you have made it this far, this likely isn’t just another home project.
It is about making sure your home is truly safe.
If you are looking for a more thorough, data-driven approach to radon mitigation, we’re here to help you take the next step.
We offer in-depth virtual consultations and custom radon mitigation systems designed to reduce radon levels as much as possible.
