Crawlspace Houses

An effective method to reduce radon levels in crawlspace houses involves covering the earth floor with a high-density plastic sheet. A vent pipe and fan are used to draw the radon from under the sheet and vent it to the outdoors.  This form of soil suction is called submembrane suction, and when properly applied is the most effective way to reduce radon levels in crawlspace houses.  Another less-favorable option is active crawlspace depressurization which involves drawing air directly from the crawlspace using a fan.  This technique generally does not work as well as submembrane suction and requires special attention to combustion appliance backdraftiing and sealing the crawlspace from other portions of the house, and may also result in increased energy costs due to loss of conditioned air from the house.

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively (without the use of a fan) or actively (with the use of a fan).  Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home's suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the house.  Passive ventilation in a crawlspace is achieved by opening vents, or installing additional vents.  Active ventilation uses a fan to blow air through the crawlspace instead of relying on natural air circulation.  In colder climates, for either passive or active crawlspace ventilation, water pipes, sewer lines and appliances in the crawlspace may need to be insulated against the cold.  These ventilation options could result in increased energy costs for the house.