I am remodeling a small 1930’s bungalow here in Montana. There is a full basement under about 3/4 of the house and crawl space under the rest. I am finishing out the basement and will insulate by spraying foam along all rim joists, gluing 1″ foamboard to the walls, framing with 2×4’s from there, and using FG batts in the stud bays.
In the crawlspace, the plan is to foam the rim, tack vinyl covered Metal Building Insulation to the rim so it hangs to the dirt floor which is coverd with 6mm poly which runs up the wall behind the MBI. Oh yeah, I am installing rim vents in here that can be closed in the winter.
The spray foam contractor (and I agree) that a house should be able to breathe for many reasons (eg- radon). Currently this house is one giant lung and doesn’t really need a radon evacuation system. Moving forward with the plan above, are the only options to install a radon vent into the current slab in the basement and under the poly in the crawlspace?
Thanks for the input. MontanaJ
Replies
Have you tested for radon, or just assume it is there?
Test first, then vent as required.
Dave
I did see that article in National Geo about the Merry Widow radon mines! If it's that good for you, I have to wonder what all the fuss is about anyway! :)
Some internet research shows that Montana has some of the highest levels in the country. I also happen to live about an hour from those famous Merry Widow mines, so I would tend to believe that radon levels are high.
Like I said, the house breathes like crazy now so it's not a problem. I guess to really find out what a tightented basement would do is to tent off and seal an area, then have the unit test from inside the tent. Maybe I should just rent the hammer and get to work! If anyone has ideas/experience retrofitting a radon vent, I'd love to hear them...
Montana J
>>If [radon's] that good for you, I have to wonder what all the fuss is about anyway! :)
Here's the EPA's take on it:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/radonqa1.html#What%20are%20the%20Health%20Effects%20From%20Exposure%20to%20Radon
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/myths.html
And with all due respect -did you look at the photo of the folks lined up in the cave for "radon treatment?"
Do they really look like the sorts of folks you're gonna take seriously {G- recognizing that you can't, in fact, tell a book by its cover}
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Edited 1/12/2004 4:36:43 PM ET by Bob Walker
There is an article in the Jauary 2004 issue of National Geographic on pg 118 abought people who sit in the Merry Widow mine in Basin Montana to BREATH the RADON GAS. They belive it helps relive the pain of arthritis. Yikes!
Like Dave said
_______________________
Tool Donations Sought
I'm matching tool donors to a church mission to Haiti - we're shipping a bus converted to a medical facility in (now it looks like) April and can fill it with clothes, tools and all sorts of stuff needed in that poorest of all countries. A few hand tools or power tools can provide a livelihood for an otherwise destitute family. Please email me if you have tools to donate.
Thanks to Jeff and David and Jim and Rich and Steven and Mark and Jason and Shep and Jen and Mike and Joe for their offers!
The first donation just arrived! Thanks and God bless!