Commercial Radon Mitigation Case Study: Why do some units in your complex need mitigation while others don’t?

Our team is currently completing radon mitigation work on 51 apartment buildings as part of a large multifamily real estate transaction.

One question we hear often from property owners and investors is:

"If all of these buildings are part of the same apartment complex, why do only some of them have elevated radon levels?"

The answer comes down to how radon enters a building.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil. As the gas moves upward through the ground, it can enter buildings through cracks, utility penetrations, expansion joints, and other openings in the foundation.

Even when apartment buildings are located side-by-side and built using similar plans, the conditions beneath each structure can be surprisingly different.

Factors that can affect radon levels include:

• Soil composition beneath the building
• Foundation design and construction details
• Air pressure differences within the structure
• Utility penetrations and openings in the slab
• Ventilation patterns and HVAC operation

As a result, one apartment building may test below action levels while the building next door requires mitigation.

This recent project is a perfect example. More than 250 apartment buildings were evaluated, and only 51 required mitigation systems. Without testing, there would have been no reliable way to identify which buildings needed corrective action. You can learn more about our certified commercial radon testing here.

For multifamily property owners, investors, lenders, and managers, radon testing is an important part of due diligence. Assumptions are not enough. Every building must be evaluated on its own merits.

Our team is proud to be helping complete mitigation systems across these properties so ownership can move forward with confidence and residents can benefit from healthier indoor air.

If you're involved in a multifamily acquisition, refinance, development, or portfolio review, Clear Radon provides commercial radon mitigation and commercial radon testing throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kansas. We’ve worked with local owners and nationwide contractors. Give Devin a call today if you’re looking to discuss your current project!

Devin McDowell, NRPP-certified Radon Specialist

417-849-4729