Found during inspection for real estate transaction......

I did not do this inspection or take this photo. This photo was passed on to me from another radon professional. Can anyone see what is wrong in this photo?

The bad news is this.... These systems were installed by a certified radon mitigator. My first comment upon seeing the photo was "What was this guy thinking?" "He should know better than that." Then a thought of how this guy would give all mitigators a bad name. You can not say enough about experience. The mitigator is fairly new to the field and has not acquired the knowledge yet to install systems properly. You should check the experience on any company/contractor that works at your home. Problem with the above system is that it has condensation traps and will collect large sums of water in the ducting. Causing mold, mildew and premature wear on the blower motor.

Why plumbers or builders should not install mitigation systems....

The number one reason is its unlawful: (Unless the builder/plumber meets the below requirements)

§ 32.1-229.01. Companies listed as proficient to perform radon screening, testing or mitigation; compliance.
A. No person shall conduct or offer to conduct any radon screening, testing or mitigation in the Commonwealth unless he has been listed as proficient by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Radon Measurement Proficiency Program of the National Environmental Health Association or the National Radon Safety Board Certified Radon Professional Program or any other proficiency program acceptable to the Board of Health to offer such screening, testing or mitigation.

B. Radon professionals listed as proficient pursuant to subsection A shall comply with the radon mitigation and testing standards outlined in the Environmental Protection Agency's publication, EPA 402-R-93-078, as revised, or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) Standard, E-2121-02, or any other radon testing and mitigation standards accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Board.

We were asked to bring this new construction residence up to current ASTM Standards by a local/national builder. The blower motor should never be installed in the basement.

We cut the ducting to ensure a proper suction pit had been dug. We found that there was no suction pit and the vent was actually 6" into the the soil.

After pulling the vent out of the slab and soil. Notice the vent is jammed full of soil.

After talking with the builder, we learned that they had a plumber install the system. Plumbers are normally not certified to do radon mitigation. Bottom line: Make sure any radon mitigation system installed in your home is installed by a certified professional mitigator.

Code of Virginia: § 32.1-229.01.

Testing for radon is the key...

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.
Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon.

SHORT-TERM TESTING:
The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha track," "electret ion chamber," "continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid scintillation" detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to decide whether to fix your home

LONG-TERM TESTING:
Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. "Alpha track" and "electret" detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round average radon level than a short-term test.

Bottom line... testing your home for radon is easy and inexpensive. There are DIY kits available at most hardware stores. Also, there are certified radon testing companies that can handle the testing for you.

Information on this post was taken from the EPA. http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#overview