Sump pumps are essential parts of home plumbing systems. They prevent water from flooding basements or crawl spaces during heavy rains. Unfortunately, they also create problems such as radon gas. If you live in an ancient house, you may want to consider replacing your sump pump with a radon mitigation system.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive element found in soil and rock. It becomes a health hazard when radon enters the air through cracks in foundations, basements, and walls.
Replacing or installing your sump pump with radon mitigation systems is a cost-effective way to reduce radon exposure. It will save you money on your next property tax bill and protect your family’s health.
To learn more about replacing your sump pump with an effective radon mitigation system, read our guide below.
What Are Sump Pumps and Radon?
Before we jump into the step-by-step guide and multiple alternatives of treating a sump pump with radon mitigation, let us first understand what a sump pump is, how it works, and the harm of radon mitigation below. The primary responsibility of a sump pump is to move the water from the basement out of the house. There are multiple different designs of sump pumps available to offer various choices to customers as per their needs.
To break it down, the sump is a pit constructed naturally within the basement floor, and this is where the sump pump is placed. The pump is the equipment that comes with valves that recognize the dip or rise of water pressure or level. The sump pump is connected to an effluent that drives the discharged water to a designated drainage area.
Radon is a radioactive gas that is odorless and colorless. It occurs in the environment naturally and disappears very quickly in the outdoors.
However, most of the radon exposure takes place within the closed walls of a house, workplace, or school.
With no escape, radon then creeps in the cracks within the walls and increases the chances of lung cancer and other diseases and thus needs urgent repairing and maintenance.
Therefore, follow the guide mentioned below if you want to replace your sump pump with radon mitigation.
Guide to Replace Sump Pump with Radon Mitigation
If you have a sump pump with radon mitigation, it is crucial to resolve the issue at the earliest to avoid the spread of this harmful gas. To replace the sump pump with radon mitigation, follow the steps below.
- Switch the power off the circuit breaker, remove the old sump pump, and cut the connection between the sum pump and the discharge line.
- Next, loosen the pipe from the check valve’s lower side to break its connection around the pipe. Now, remove the pump and keep it aside.
- Take a new sump pump, place it in the bottom of the pit and use a stone or stand to keep the pump lifted from the bottom pit. Check the level to ensure the new sump pump is working and ensure the arrangement within is well aligned with the float in the center of the pit. Double-check that it is not towards the sides as it needs free movement to function.
- Moving forward, connect the discharge line from the old sump pump to the new one if they are of the same type. If the model differentiates between the old and the new sump pumps, make or get a new discharge line cut for effective water movement.
- Once the new sump pump is in place, all you need to do is bring back the power for the Circuit breaker and plug the cord of the new sump pump into the outlet.
- Test the new sump pump by filling the pit with necessary liters of water till the pump is activated. The indication for the same is the float coming up to the surface along with the water, after which you need to turn on the pump by activating the switch.
New Sump Pumps
Ways to Reduce Radon Mitigation Professionally
Even though it is possible to replace some pumps with radon mitigation by following the step-by-step guide mentioned above, at times, professional assistance is critical. There are two top professional alternatives that can help resolve this issue, and they are as follows:
Sump Pump Seals
At times, the replacement of a sump pump is not required. Instead, putting a gas-tight lid on the sump pump is the right choice. With the help of a professional, you can install a sump pump seal and prevent radon entry into houses, workplaces, or schools effectively.
However, putting a seal is not helpful alone, especially if radon is higher in the ground.
Radon Mitigation System Installation
For situations where sump pump seals fail to curb damage, radon mitigation systems are highly effective in reducing the levels of this harmful gas by approximately 99%.
The cost of installing a new mitigation system is between $771 and $1185. All you need to do is get in touch with a professional and get the system installed on your sump pump.
Within the radon mitigation system, a popular process called sub-slab depressurization occurs wherein, with the help of 2 or more suction points, the radon is passed away from the basement floors and ground up out of a pipeline above the roof. This reduces the chances of radon contamination within the house.
Alternatives to Reduce Radon Mitigation in Your House
If you are looking for more DIY options to reduce radon mitigation in your house, you can try one of the following.
Repairing Cracks Around the House Walls
Either do it yourself or get a professional to come and check the walls around your house to identify any potential cracks for repair. This way, you will block out the radon.
Regular Testing
Another way to reduce radon mitigation in your house is by getting your sump pumps tested regularly. This will give you ample time to replace some pumps or add or remove certain elements to keep the radon out of the way.
Increase Airflow
One lesser-known method that can reduce the burden of the sump pump before replacement and reduce radon is to increase the airflow around the house. This can be done by opening up the window vents and frequently using fans to improve air circulation.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is more than one way to replace the sump pump with radon mitigation. However, the choice of the plan of action ahead directly depends on the type of sump pump and the severity or spread of radon.
Resolving the issue from the point of entry will offer multiple benefits and keep the house and the people safe and healthy. If you are unsure how to begin, consult a professional to investigate and offer the best solutions for your particular sump pump problem.
