Radon Mitigation in Canon City, CO

A Cañon City Radon Result From 20.0 to 0.6 pCi/L

A recent Purple Mountain Radon project in Cañon City began with a radon test result of 20.0 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. After a custom sub-slab depressurization system was installed, the follow-up result came back at 0.6 pCi/L. That is a 97% reduction.

The numbers are impressive, but the more useful story is what happened between the two tests. A successful radon project is not simply a matter of attaching a fan to a pipe. The foundation, soil conditions, available routing, fan selection, exhaust location, and final testing all matter. This project is a good example of that process.

The Starting Point Was 20.0 pCi/L

The home was built in 2001 and had a basement over a concrete slab. Its pre-mitigation test measured 20.0 pCi/L on April 1, 2026. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends fixing a home when the radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher and says homeowners should also consider action between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

A result of 20.0 pCi/L therefore called for a serious response, but not panic. High radon levels can usually be reduced. The practical next step is to inspect the home, understand how radon is entering, and design a system that fits the building rather than forcing a standard layout onto it.

Designing the System Around the House

During installation, the soil beneath the slab was dry and permeable. That was useful because air could move well below the concrete, allowing the suction point and fan to influence a larger area beneath the home. Those field conditions supported a sub-slab depressurization approach, which draws soil gas from below the slab and exhausts it safely outdoors before it enters the living space.

The fan originally considered for the job was changed onsite to a Festa Legend. The stronger fan was a better match for the airflow conditions found during the work. The completed system operated at approximately 1.1 inches of water column on the manometer.

This is why an onsite assessment matters. Two homes can have the same radon reading but need different system designs because the soil, foundation, floor plan, and available pipe route are different.  

Solving the Exterior Routing Challenge

The exterior route presented another challenge. The roofline was beyond the reach of a 24-foot ladder, but the exhaust still had to be routed properly around the eave and terminated in an appropriate location. The installation required roof access to complete that portion of the system.

Details like this affect safety, appearance, and system performance. A radon system should work well, but it should also be planned carefully around the actual home. That is especially important for properties with tall rooflines, finished basements, decks, window wells, or other obstacles that limit an obvious pipe route.

The Post Mitigation Test Confirmed the Result

The installation was completed on August 20, 2026. A laboratory-analyzed short-term follow-up test was conducted from August 26 through August 29, after the system had been operating. The result was 0.6 pCi/L, with a reported margin of error of plus or minus 0.1 pCi/L.

EPA guidance recommends a post-mitigation test within 30 days after installation, but no sooner than 24 hours after an active system begins operating. The purpose is simple: the manometer shows that the fan is creating pressure in the pipe, but only a radon test can show the radon concentration in the home.

In this case, the test verified that the system reduced the measured concentration from 20.0 to 0.6 pCi/L. The follow-up result turned a successful-looking installation into a documented successful outcome. purplemountainradon.com/radon-testing.html

What Homeowners Can Learn From This Project

First, a high radon result is a problem with a proven solution. EPA's consumer guidance explains that some radon reduction systems can lower levels by as much as 99%, although every home and result is different.

Second, the system should be designed for the specific building. Foundation type, soil communication, fan selection, pipe routing, electrical access, exhaust placement, and appearance can all influence the plan.

Third, always complete post-mitigation testing. A pressure gauge or alarm is important for monitoring system operation, but it does not measure radon. Testing is how you verify that the completed work reduced the level.

Finally, keep checking the system after the installation is complete. EPA advises homeowners with active systems to look at the warning device regularly, keep the fan running continuously, arrange service when something appears wrong, and retest at least every two years to make sure radon levels remain low.

Why Documentation Matters During a Home Sale

For buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals, a completed installation is only part of the record. Keep the original test, the mitigation proposal or contract, system information, photographs, warranty documents, and the post-mitigation test together. That paperwork helps a future buyer understand what was installed and provides a baseline for later testing.

A strong before-and-after result does not mean the home should never be tested again. Radon levels can change, equipment can eventually need service, and renovations or changes in how the lowest level is used can affect where testing should occur.

Need Help With a High Radon Result

Purple Mountain Radon provides radon mitigation and testing services for homeowners in Cañon City, Colorado Springs, Fountain, Monument, Woodland Park, Pueblo, and surrounding Southern Colorado communities. I inspect each property and design the system around the home's actual foundation and installation conditions.

If your test result is elevated, or if you have an older system that has not been checked in years, call Purple Mountain Radon at 1-719-352-1528 or request a free radon mitigation estimate online. purplemountainradon.com/canon-city-co.html

Sources referenced: EPA action level guidance and EPA Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction