Radon in water / GAC Filter system
#1
01-07-08, 11:04 AM
Radon in water / GAC Filter system
I am purchasing a house, and had the water tested for Radon. There are low Radon levels, but higher than the recommened limits set forth by the EPA.
I contacted a Profession Radon Mitigator, and he quoted me $1200 installed for the following:
Install (2) GAC tanks, 9” x 48” for the removal of radon from water.
Looking at the pictures he has on his website, it appears that this is simply an in-line whole house filter that uses two GAC Tanks.
http://www.usradon.com/images/gacsystem.jpg
In an attempt to save some money, I want to take on this project myself, and was wondering if I might be overlooking anything important, or if anyone else has attempted this, or has any input.
Thanks in advance.
I contacted a Profession Radon Mitigator, and he quoted me $1200 installed for the following:
Install (2) GAC tanks, 9” x 48” for the removal of radon from water.
Looking at the pictures he has on his website, it appears that this is simply an in-line whole house filter that uses two GAC Tanks.
http://www.usradon.com/images/gacsystem.jpg
In an attempt to save some money, I want to take on this project myself, and was wondering if I might be overlooking anything important, or if anyone else has attempted this, or has any input.
Thanks in advance.
#2
01-07-08, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by jesserup
In an attempt to save some money, I want to take on this project myself, and was wondering if I might be overlooking anything important, or if anyone else has attempted this, or has any input.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#3
01-07-08, 11:42 AM
Originally Posted by justalurker
I would wonder if part of the $1200 price is certifying that the radon has been removed from the water and/or some scheduled compliance testing or maintenance of their system.
#4
01-07-08, 12:05 PM
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Those GAC filters do not backwash so the carbon will need to be replaced at regular intervals. I wonder if that has to be done by certified techs and the old GAC handled and disposed of in a specific way a la EPA regs.
If it were me, I'd find out all the details of what they provide as far as hardware, installation, and down the road maintenance and service for $1200 and read the fine print real carefully.
There also appears to be two in-line filters before and after the two 9x48 tanks and you have not identified the filter elements inside.
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
If it were me, I'd find out all the details of what they provide as far as hardware, installation, and down the road maintenance and service for $1200 and read the fine print real carefully.
There also appears to be two in-line filters before and after the two 9x48 tanks and you have not identified the filter elements inside.
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
#5
01-07-08, 12:15 PM
Originally Posted by justalurker
Those GAC filters do not backwash so at some point the carbon will need to be replaced. I wonder if that has to be done by certified techs and the old GAC handled in a specific way.
If it were me, I'd find out all the details of what they provide as far as hardware, installation, and down the road maintenance and service for $1200 and read the fine print real carefully.
After all is said and done it's still your choice.
If it were me, I'd find out all the details of what they provide as far as hardware, installation, and down the road maintenance and service for $1200 and read the fine print real carefully.
After all is said and done it's still your choice.
Is there anyone who might have experience installing one of these that can give me any pointers?
#6
01-07-08, 01:43 PM
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There also appears to be two in-line filters before and after the two 9x48 tanks and you have not identified the filter elements inside.
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
#7
01-07-08, 02:15 PM
Originally Posted by justalurker
There also appears to be two in-line filters before and after the two 9x48 tanks and you have not identified the filter elements inside.
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
Have you priced two 9x48 tanks, GAC, the appropriate tank hardware, fittings, the two in-line filters and elements, and plumbing?
If anyone has any experience installing this system or anything like it, please feel free to chime in.
#8
01-08-08, 07:48 AM
I'd think you'd want backwashing units since these will eventually succumb to channeling. Certainly in the first unit, possibly in the second. Just my "layman" opinion. Have you looked into aeration methods of removal? Also, carbon is fully recyclable. Ask about their replacement program and if they recycle. What about their warranty? And finally, have someone else come and give you their pitch, just to see if there's something else you missed.
#9
01-08-08, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by mabulok
I'd think you'd want backwashing units
I think there's more to this than may be apparent and multiple quotes from different companies that specialize in this is a good idea.
#10
01-08-08, 08:06 AM
Originally Posted by justalurker
I thought of that but I wonder if one can't backwash carbon used to filter Radon for some regulatory reason.
I think there's more to this than may be apparent and multiple quotes from different companies that specialize in this is a good idea.
I think there's more to this than may be apparent and multiple quotes from different companies that specialize in this is a good idea.
#11
03-12-08, 11:37 PM
Radon in water.
I've wrestled with this choice. We got the airborne radon in our basement down, but haven't done anything with the water yet. Our water levels are high enough that carbon isn't recommended; the recommendation is to use carbon only if the level is below 5000, because if it is higher that that, radiation will build up pretty quickly in the tank.
If you do it yourself, I think the main concerns are that radon reduction typically does not use any backwash, but you need to know that your water is pure enough to do that. Coconut shell carbon is recommended. I would probably get a single 12 x 52 instead of a pair of 9 x 48 tanks. Might be safer to get the pro to do the installation and post inspections unless you're pretty confident both in your water quality and your ability to install and monitor the setup. Good luck, would like to hear back if you do it yourself.
If you do it yourself, I think the main concerns are that radon reduction typically does not use any backwash, but you need to know that your water is pure enough to do that. Coconut shell carbon is recommended. I would probably get a single 12 x 52 instead of a pair of 9 x 48 tanks. Might be safer to get the pro to do the installation and post inspections unless you're pretty confident both in your water quality and your ability to install and monitor the setup. Good luck, would like to hear back if you do it yourself.
