sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

I just had laminated flooring installed in my entire basement. They used 6
mil plastic as well to help block the radon. Everything is pretty nicely
sealed. But they were only able to partially do my crawlspace. (obviously
because of the water pump , water heater in the way) Plus the area
underneath my stairs inside the crawlspace is exposed. (poured concrete)

I'd say theres about 40 to 50 square feet of crawl space thats expose.

Before I get my radon levels tested again, I'd like to sheet off the
crawlspace with 6 mm plastic. Im just not sure how to keep it a tight seal
down there. Taping the plastic to the sheetrock should be no problem, but
there are sections where i'd have to tape it down on the concrete as well,
and im sure that wont stick for long. any ideas ?

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

I guess nobody knows, ey ?

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

john wrote:
I guess nobody knows, ey ?

I don't know but do you have a radon problem?
Radon is a gas and remediation is blocking and ventilation.
I would have it checked first before doing anything. I would buy a test
kit and do it myself to avoid any tie in with someone that both wants to
run test and remediate. Personally, if levels are borderline, I would
do nothing as EPA tends to set exposure levels to radon and other toxins
at levels lower than necessary.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

On May 20, 7:06*pm, "john"
wrote:
I just had laminated flooring installed in my entire basement. They used 6
mil plastic as well to help block the radon. *Everything is pretty nicely
sealed. *But they were only able to partially do my crawlspace. (obviously
because of the water pump , water heater in the way) *Plus the area
underneath my stairs inside the crawlspace is exposed. (poured concrete)

I'd say theres about 40 to 50 square feet of crawl space thats expose.

Before I get my radon levels tested again, I'd like to sheet off the
crawlspace with 6 mm plastic. *Im just not sure how to keep it a tight seal
down there. *Taping the plastic to the sheetrock should be no problem, but
there are sections where i'd have to tape it down on the concrete as well,
and im sure that wont stick for long. * any ideas ?

You have a few options. First off, you could just close off the area
of the crawls space. Then put in some vents and let the gas vent out
by itself. Simple and low tech.

You could also lay down plastic and put pea-stone over it to hold it
down. Again, simple and tech.

I wouldn't tape the plastic to sheetrock. You may eliminate radon but
you'll just be trading it for mold.

For the poured concrete area, you might be able to get away with any
of the numerous paint-on concrete sealers that are on the market.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

"Pat" wrote in message
...
On May 20, 7:06 pm, "john"
wrote:

You could also lay down plastic and put pea-stone over it to hold it
down. Again, simple and tech.

I thought about that too, but I figure the gas will eventually seep through
the sides and out of the plastic , no ? Do you mean putting the pea-stones
around the outer circumfernece of the plastic only ?

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

john wrote:

"Pat" wrote in message
...
On May 20, 7:06 pm, "john"
wrote:

You could also lay down plastic and put pea-stone over it to hold it
down. Again, simple and tech.


I thought about that too, but I figure the gas will eventually seep
through the sides and out of the plastic , no ? Do you mean putting the
pea-stones around the outer circumfernece of the plastic only ?

Hmmm,
Considered a good ventilation? Even using powered fan.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

If you are trying to keep radon gas out of your crawl space and all
you need is a passive radon reduction system (only a radon specialist
will be able to tell you if you need an active system) I’d suggest
that you upgrade to a crawlspace liner that's 20 mil, puncture proof,
and has a UV protected liner.
6 mil liners are known to rip quite easily, and since you mentioned
that there is a water pump and a water heater there, you can count on
some rips and tears every time someone crawls in to maintain these
utilities unless you protect the liner somehow.
I am not a radon specialist, but I understand that it is a gas and, as
such, it will penetrate any barrier that is not completely, tightly
sealed and puncture proof. And once it is inside your crawlspace, the
very idea of providing a vent to let it escape, in my opinion, defeats
the purpose of having your crawl space encapsulated to begin with.
(If there is a hole for something to get out, something else can get
in through it, right?)
I'd recommend Clean Space, which is a thick UV protected 20 mil liner.
It can be installed almost seamlessly over the concrete, and can be
tightly sealed to control not only radon gas but also moisture..The
manufacturer (also a developer of a number of other crawlspace
solutions), offers a 25 years warranty against rips and tears, and
their dealers offer free consultations. It might be a good idea to get
one in your area to take a look at your crawlspace.
Have the radon levels tested after installing the liner and, should
you need an active reduction system, such as a fan and exhauster, it
is not difficult to have one installed below the CleanSpace.
If you ultimately decide to use the standard 6mil, I suggest you find
a way to protect or reinforce it, especially around the ground areas
that will be frequently accessed for maintenance. Beware of using
anything organic to protect the traffic areas or to hold down the
liner; for those are known to favor the growth of mold.
Also, use mechanic fasteners in addition to the adhesive because the
glue alone may not hold it properly. Duct mastic with fiberglass mesh
tape is recommended to seal the seams.



On May 22, 9:42 am, Pat wrote:
On May 20, 7:06 pm, "john"
wrote:

I just had laminated flooring installed in my entire basement. They used 6
mil plastic as well to help block the radon. Everything is pretty nicely
sealed. But they were only able to partially do my crawlspace. (obviously
because of the water pump , water heater in the way) Plus the area
underneath my stairs inside the crawlspace is exposed. (poured concrete)

I'd say theres about 40 to 50 square feet of crawl space thats expose.

Before I get my radon levels tested again, I'd like to sheet off the
crawlspace with 6 mm plastic. Im just not sure how to keep it a tight seal
down there. Taping the plastic to the sheetrock should be no problem, but
there are sections where i'd have to tape it down on the concrete as well,
and im sure that wont stick for long. any ideas ?

You have a few options. First off, you could just close off the area
of the crawls space. Then put in some vents and let the gas vent out
by itself. Simple and low tech.

You could also lay down plastic and put pea-stone over it to hold it
down. Again, simple and tech.

I wouldn't tape the plastic to sheetrock. You may eliminate radon but
you'll just be trading it for mold.

For the poured concrete area, you might be able to get away with any
of the numerous paint-on concrete sealers that are on the market.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

can anybody recommend anything else besides pea-stone to put on top of the
plastic ? I remember my dad had these long , heavy, iron bars he would use
to put on top of the plastic when he did his gardening outside. I forgot
what their called. Maybe that would be better.

I understand completely that im not doing this the professional way, so
please dont recommend that I need a ventilation system installed and all
that crap. Even the radon guy that came here said I wouldnt need him
there if I did the laminated flooring..it would block everything out. So I
just wanna do the crawlspace and be done with it.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

On May 30, 6:26*pm, "john"
wrote:
can anybody recommend anything else besides pea-stone to put on top of the
plastic ? *I remember my dad had these long , heavy, iron bars he would use
to put on top of the plastic when he did his gardening outside. *I forgot
what their called. *Maybe that would be better.

I understand completely that im not doing this the professional way, so
please dont recommend that I need a ventilation system installed and all
that crap. * *Even the radon guy that came here said I wouldnt need him
there if I did the laminated flooring..it would block everything out. * So I
just wanna do the crawlspace and be done with it.

You can use anything you want (dead bodies, hot tub, concrete, #2
stone, cow manure, etc). You're just using it as ballast to keep the
plastic from moving. Just nothing too sharp or pointy.

sheeting off a crawlspace (radon)
 

john wrote:
can anybody recommend anything else besides pea-stone to put on top of
the plastic ? I remember my dad had these long , heavy, iron bars he
would use to put on top of the plastic when he did his gardening
outside. I forgot what their called. Maybe that would be better.

Are you thinking of "rebar"? It's cheap but I like the idea of pea
gravel much better so it contours with the surface much better.

Tony