Summary
If your property has tested above the UK action levels for radon gas, you're facing a serious but solvable problem. Every day that passes without effective radon mitigation means your tenants, employees, or family members continue breathing radioactive gas that significantly increases their lung cancer risk. The good news? Two proven radon mitigation systems—Positive Pressure Systems and Radon Sumps—can reduce radon levels by up to 99%, often within a single day of installation.
Understanding Positive Pressure Systems
Positive Pressure Systems, also known as Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), work by gently increasing the air pressure inside your property. This might sound counterintuitive, but the science is straightforward: radon enters buildings because the air pressure inside is typically lower than the pressure in the soil beneath. This pressure difference acts like a vacuum, drawing radon gas up through tiny cracks, gaps, and pores in floors and walls.
A Positive Pressure System reverses this dynamic. By continuously introducing fresh, filtered air into the building, the system raises the internal air pressure slightly—not enough for occupants to notice, but sufficient to prevent radon from being drawn inside. Think of it as creating a gentle outward push that keeps radon in the soil where it belongs.
How Positive Pressure Systems Work
The system consists of a quiet electric fan, typically installed in a loft space or mounted on an external wall for properties without lofts. The fan draws air—either from the loft space or from outside—and disperses it into the building through a ceiling vent, usually positioned in a central hallway or landing. The air passes through a filter to ensure it's clean, and many units include a heater element to prevent cold air from being introduced during winter months.
The constant gentle flow of fresh air throughout the property dilutes any radon that does enter while simultaneously maintaining positive pressure that inhibits further radon ingress. The system operates continuously, 24 hours a day, consuming minimal electricity—typically around £30-40 per year in running costs.
Understanding Radon Sumps
Radon Sumps represent the most effective radon mitigation technology available, particularly for properties with high radon levels. While Positive Pressure Systems work by preventing radon entry, sumps work by actively extracting radon from beneath the building before it can enter living or working spaces.
A radon sump is essentially a small void—roughly the size of a bucket—created beneath the ground floor of a building. This void becomes the lowest pressure point beneath the property, causing radon gas in the surrounding soil to be drawn toward it rather than up through the floor. Once the radon reaches the sump, it's safely vented away from the building through pipework and discharged outside, well away from doors and windows.
How Radon Sump Installation Works
The beauty of modern radon sump installation is that it can be accomplished with minimal disruption to property occupants. Most retrofit sumps are installed entirely from outside the building, avoiding any need to break through internal floors or disturb interior decoration.
The entire installation typically takes one to two days, depending on complexity. For average-sized properties, a single sump is usually sufficient, though larger buildings or those with complex floor construction may require multiple sumps to achieve effective
The decision between a Positive Pressure System and a Radon Sump isn't about one being inherently better than the other—it's about matching the right radon mitigation technology to your specific property and situation.
The only way to confirm successful radon mitigation is through professional radon testing conducted after system installation. This isn't optional or an unnecessary expense—it's an essential component of effective radon protection.
Contact The Radon Consultants today to begin the process of protecting your property and the people who occupy it. Effective radon mitigation isn't just about regulatory compliance—it's about taking responsibility for creating genuinely safe, healthy indoor environments. With professional guidance and proven radon mitigation systems, you can achieve radon levels well below UK action levels and eliminate this invisible threat from your property.