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Radon Contractor Concerns

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radon mitigation Colorado

Recently Aspen Environmental Services was called in to address an issue from a previous company's radon mitigation installation because the fan would not run after the system had been turned off for the remodeling of the basement (see photo at right). We discovered a dead sparrow in the fan and a bluebird’s bird's nest with 3 eggs in the system's vent. The homeowner had the cost of a service call; and a sparrow and a whole family of bluebirds were killed because a “certified mitigator” who had installed the system wanted to save 10 cents and 2 minutes work by not installing a screen in the discharge vent.

As in many other industries, not all radon mitigation contractors are equally qualified or professional. Most homeowners can not distinguish a properly installed radon system from a poorly installed radon system and many radon mitigation contractors will take advantage of this to increase their profits.  Some of our business comes from distraught home owners who have been ill served by other certified radon abatement company's shortcuts, lack of diligence, poor design, shoddy installation or downright deception and failure to reduce radon gas levels although they guaranteed to do so.  (See testimonial of Lori M., Colorado Springs for example).

As with most things, there is a right way and unfortunately many wrong ways to address high radon gas levels and install a radon mitigation system. Aspen Environmental Services Inc. approaches each home or building's radon issues as a unique problem to be solved professionally, thoroughly and with guaranteed satisfaction for the homeowner.

Over the last few years, as concerns about the health risks from radon (notably, increased incidence rates of lung cancer attributed to radon) have risen, radon mitigation installers have mushroomed across Colorado and other states. Unfortunately, many of these contractors have little experience on which to base their claims to homeowners  for expertise in the field.

radon certified company

Dennis Elkins, owner and chief operator of Aspen Environmental Services Inc., has over 14 years of experience in the field of radon testing and mitigation. Prior to entering the field of radon testing and mitigation, he worked for many years overseeing both commercial and residential construction. He is also certified by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) as a radon tester and mitigation system installer and has also trained others to assist with them acquiring their NEHA certification. It is not uncommon for Aspen Environmental Services, Inc. to receive calls from other radon mitigation contractors to help them with problems they are having with their radon systems not reducing the radon levels sufficiently..

When it comes to contracting with a company for radon mitigation in your home or other property, do not take chances with your family’s health. Call on a true expert in the field with a proven track record. Call on Aspen Environmental Services.

Radon Basics

  • Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is to TEST.
  • Radon travels through the soil and enters buildings through openings and foundation. Radon enters your home from the soil because it is being drawn by the negative pressures or vacuums within your home.
  • The vacuum in your home is caused either by mechanical systems or by a thermal stack effect.
  • All types and age of homes can have elevated radon levels.
  • Homes with basements, crawl spaces, slab on grade or any combination can all have elevated radon levels.
  • A new home can have a radon problem as well as an older home.
  • Your neighbor’s radon levels do not necessarily represent your home’s radon levels. Different factors contribute to the radon levels in a home.
  • The amount of radon in the soil beneath the home, interior negative pressures and the openings in the home’s foundation are all contributing factors.
  • The EPA recommendation is to reduce radon levels in your home to below 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L).
  • Approximately 50% percent of the homes in Colorado have radon levels at or above the EPA’s action level of 4.0.Most homes can have their radon levels reduced for about the same cost of other common home repairs.