Radon Mitigation in Indianapolis, IN
You can't smell radon, so the only way to know is to test
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes up from the ground, and long exposure to it can cause lung cancer. It is common in Indiana, and Indianapolis homes are no exception. You can't see it, smell it or feel it, so a house with a high level looks exactly like one without. It enters wherever the house meets the soil: cracks in the basement slab, the joint at the bottom of the wall, an open sump pit, gaps around pipes. Basements and crawl spaces tend to collect the most, but slab-on-grade homes should be tested too. Older brick and block homes have plenty of small openings for gas to move through, and newer houses can trap it just as easily because they are built tighter.
How we handle radon mitigation in Indianapolis
Everything starts with a test. We use professional-grade detectors and give you a documented result. If levels warrant it, we design a mitigation system for your home, usually sub-slab depressurization. That means a fan and piping that draw soil gas from under the slab and vent it outside, sized and routed for your house. Sealing matters too, because the system works best when the soil surface and openings are sealed, so we close up the places gas comes in, including the sump with a sealed lid. When the system is running, we retest to verify the reduction. If you already have a vapor barrier, that helps, but a radon mitigation system may still be needed.
For most families the hardest part is knowing to test at all. Once a system is in, it runs quietly in the background, and the fan and pipe are placed to fit your house. Compared to the health risk it prevents, mitigation is cost-effective. It also fits naturally with other basement work. A sealed sump basin, a wall vapor barrier and an interior drain all reduce the openings where soil gas and moisture get in, so if you're already planning waterproofing, it makes sense to test for radon at the same time. Radon is also a common item in home sales, so testing before you list avoids surprises. Michaelis Foundation Solutions gives you a written price and offers financing.
From the first call to a finished job
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You call, we schedule
Someone at our Indianapolis office picks up and books your free inspection while you are on the phone.
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Free on-site inspection
An inspector walks the Indianapolis property inside and out: basement or crawl space, grading, gutters and the lot. You see what they see.
- 03
A written price, explained
Scope, method and cost in writing, with financing options. Take the time you need to decide.
- 04
Our crew does the work
Michaelis employees do the job start to finish, clean up behind themselves and stay a phone call away afterward.
Radon Mitigation questions from Indianapolis
We've never tested our Indianapolis home for radon. Is it something I should actually worry about?
Radon is common in Indiana, and the only way to know your level is to test. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, so it's worth finding out. We use professional-grade detectors and give you a documented result.
My Indianapolis house is built on a slab with no basement. Do I still need a radon test?
Yes, slab-on-grade homes should be tested too. Radon comes up from the soil and can enter through any crack or gap where the house meets the ground. A test tells you whether there's anything to address.
Our Indianapolis home already has a vapor barrier. Does that mean radon isn't a problem?
A vapor barrier helps by sealing part of the soil surface, but it may not bring radon down enough by itself. Testing is the way to know. If levels are high, a mitigation system works together with the barrier.
How does a radon system actually work in an Indianapolis basement?
The common method is sub-slab depressurization. A fan and pipe draw soil gas from under the slab and vent it outside, away from windows. We size and route the system for your house and seal openings so it can do its job.
I'm selling my Indianapolis home and the buyer wants a radon test. What should I do?
Testing before or during the sale gives everyone a clear answer. If the level is high, we can design and install a mitigation system and retest to verify the reduction. You'll have documented results to share with the buyer.
Our sump pit in Indianapolis is open. Could that be letting radon into the house?
An open sump pit is a direct path from the soil into your basement, for both moisture and soil gas. We seal sumps with a fitted lid, and that's often part of a radon mitigation system. A test will show whether your level needs more than that.
We just finished our Indianapolis basement and spend a lot of time down there. Should we test for radon now?
Yes, especially if the basement is now a living space. Radon tends to be highest at the lowest level of the house. Testing gives you peace of mind or tells you that a system makes sense.
My neighbor in Indianapolis tested low for radon. Does that mean my house is fine too?
Not necessarily. Radon levels can differ from one house to the next on the same street, depending on the soil, the foundation and how the house is built. The only way to know your level is to test your own home.
Can I put in a radon fan myself in my Indianapolis home?
A mitigation system has to be designed, sized and sealed correctly to bring levels down, and the result has to be verified. A fan that's undersized or poorly vented may not help much. We design the system for your house and retest to confirm it worked.
We're getting basement waterproofing done in Indianapolis. Should we handle radon at the same time?
It makes sense to test while the work is being planned. Sealed sumps, wall vapor barriers and drains reduce openings for soil gas, and if a system is needed it can be coordinated with the rest of the job. You'll get one written price covering both.
More basement waterproofing in Indianapolis
The whole service is on our basement waterproofing page, and we do this work across the area, from basement waterproofing in Indianapolis to Hamilton County.