bachissimo

Final question. I am really bothered by the fact that it turns out that not only the utility room has asbestos but the whole recreation room below the carpet (and office below new tiles, but I don't worry about the latter). Carpet is NOT an appropriate encapsulation especially if the tiles below are chipped. They installed a new carpet and god knows what happened to the tiles 50 years after construction. I have decided to either walk away or ask for price of COMPLETE asbestos removal from under the carpet and the utility room. A space of around 600sqft. Am I guaranteed that after removal/remediation/cleaning I would be able to go down to levels of asbestos in the air between 0.0002 and 0.003 f/cc (which is the level of ambiant air and non contaminated buildings, respectively)... ? Is that something I can ask the removal company to achieve.

OK I finish with something and something else comes up. So are you telling me that drywalls can have asbestos in them? what can I do in this case? I can't put a nail in the wall? This is crazy. How do people live in old homes. DC is full of old homes where rich people live in. Tomorrow an inspector will come in and give me an estimate for removal. I decided on this since the tiles are broken and any remediation is messy. I just hope they do a clean job since the HVAC is in that utility room. don't want things to get into the HVAC if it is not there already. Anyone would advise for me to do an air quality test (for asbestos) before I finalize the contract, just in case airbone asbestos is too high for my liking? (removal will not help with that). I am not sure why would that be the case...

I hope it is not a bother to bring another issue that came out. I am in the process of buying a house. I am at high risk of Lung cancer, so trying to avoid unnecessary risks. The inspection today showed asbestos tile and mastic in the utility room in the basement, next to HVAC and laundry. Please see attached. Most likely this is non-friable but it can become with friction. Two questions: What is the best course of action? I think removal is risky and very expensive. Leaving it as is, is an uncomfortable things due to risks. So it boils down, i feel, to covering it. WITH WHAT? There must be some tricks to do that neatly and minimal risk. Second question: now I can't sleep well thinking what if there is airborne asbestos in the place. I am thinking of an indoor air quality test to check for asbestos. Is that ok? am I going overboard? Any other tests I should do if I am concerned about health risks? Thank you Click to Enlarge 59.45 KB Click to Enlarge 87.05 KB

So the inspector report gave an average of 2.1. Apparently she used two detectors in the basement, one gave a reading of 1.9 the other 2.3 I guess I will do the 3 months test and see, but for now I shan't worry about this. Do you agree? I am thinking even though I am at high risk for lung cancer, I already quit smoking, I am 36, I will not live in the house for more than 5-6 years and next time I will make sure to chose an area or building with near zero radon... thanks all for your comments. If you have any thoughts please let me know

sorry for butting again. But it seems like there is something I got confused about. If the mitigation system is trying to create a different pressure between under the house and the house, then does that mean that opening the windows will be self-defeating and might reduce the efficacy of the system??? Maybe I misunderstood, and the system only affects the pressure of the space right below the basement...

And sorry a couple more questions: does or does not opening window bring the radon levels down? Can the mitigation be safely turned off for few hours a week, if I have people over and we're sitting on the patio? I guess some people who work long hours at work might consider turning it off when they get back home since it takes 12 hours for radon to creep back. If you install a mitigation system and reduce radon level below EPA, do you have to have it in your DISCLOSURE?

Erby, you mean of course opening windows will reduce the concentration? I definitely open the windows during the winter. DC is not that cold most of the winter, and I like a bit of cold inside the home (good for health, losing weight,..).

Thanks all for your replies. The reason why I am asking ahead of the results is because I have 1 day to decide after test and wanted to study it. The place is a split level and the basement is not really a basement, it is mostly above ground: does that make it less prone to radon? I hear mixed reviews about the noise level, but I am guessing if I want to make it very silent I can... (??). I was assuming the pipe will be in the laundry room which is adjacent to my would-be office. Finally, ANY THOUGHTS about how much you can drop radon concentration by just keeping windows open or having window fans on the lower level. Say it is 4 windows closed, can I assume it would drop below 2 with more aeration? Thanks !!

I work in DC but sick of condos and NOISE want to move to a house. We really like the living between Alexandria and DC (officially Alexandria). Very quiet street. Contract ratified. Currently being Radon inspected. Sellers agreed to be out of the house for 48 hrs. I wanted to ask few questions about Radon and would be REALLY GRATEFUL for your thoughts. Note that due to my history/family I am at much higher risk of lung cancer than average. I am also VERY sensitive to noise. Problem is that the best place of the house is the lower level, not really much of a basement, since it is mostly above grade and counted in Sqft. Has a really nice office and appealing features. My first question is, how loud is the most quiet mitigation system? Most likely the work will be in the laundry area which is adjacent to the office, so will I hear anything in the office? My second question is , based on my history should I just avoid the basement for any measurement above 2pc/L? Since mitigation systems apparently can't guarantee a lower level post-mitigation... I think my agent will kill me if I walk out yet again on another house. Also my options are limited since Radon is apparently everywhere in North Virginia. I'd rather stay in Condo over increasing significantly my lung cancer risk. I am really very confused and distressed....