Radon Detection and Control
About us
At Radon Detection and Control, our focus is helping people stay healthy by removing radon gasses from their environment, residential and commercial. Get in touch with us today. We are in the Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia area.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Radon Detection and Control installs a variety of home or commercial remediation systems. RDC systems are designed for each specific structure, while considering the aesthetic values and costs. Reducing radiation exposure is RDC's first priority. RADON MITIGATION & COMMERCIAL TESTING
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 82% | ||
| 8% | ||
| 5% | ||
| 3% | ||
| 3% |
"First, on behalf of Radon Detection & Control Management, Staff and the appropriate Installers, I offer our sincere apologies for this situation. We acknowledge that the initial situation was produced by us. Some explanations / clarifications: This townhome was built by one of the largest residential construction companies in the country. The Company typically installs a radon pipe and locates it next to the furnace. Based on this knowledge, the installers incorrectly assumed that a pipe located behind the furnace was the builders pipe. According to the installers, the pipe was partially obscured by the furnace so no cleanouts were visible (if they existed). The pipe that was presumed to be a radon pipe, was actually the soil stack. The soil stack simply allows air into the drain pipes to promote better flow. The description of a hole drilled in the pipe and sewage consequently leaking into the basement, sounds much worse than it was. The hole drilled was only 3/16 of an inch and had a small tube (the size of a stirring straw) inserted into it. A large sewage leak from the hole would be impossible. The fan installed to the pipe was in the attic. It was sealed inline, so any sewer gas was being exhausted outside and above the roof line, none was exhausted into the house. Given the configuration, it would be impossible for sewer gas to be "sucked into the house". Radon Detection & Control is very sorry for the mistake. We offered to correct the situation for the homeowner completely at our expense. She asked to have the fan and gage removed and to be reimbursed for the job. We gave the homeowner the full installation fee of $850.00. The installation fee had been paid to us by the previous owner. We repaired and replaced all applicable pipe. We also paid the full plumber's inspection fee of $284.50, as well as, the full electrician's fee of $283.06. This misidentification is not uncommon in the overall Radon Mitigation Industry, so the statement "that this was a common mistake", may have been conveyed to the homeowner. However, Radon Detection & Control has a procedure, involving a series of tests and observations, to prevent this. The procedure obviously failed in this case but, misidentification of radon pipe has happened in only a few cases in over 27,000 Radon Detection & Control installations. The smoke detector situation would initially seem to be related to our installation, however the reason for the problem is indeterminate. Our Technician that inspected has a degree in Electrical Technology and a background in Security Systems and was quite capable of assessing the problem. His determination was that it was a separate, while coincidental, issue. The radon fan did not use the smoke alarm system for a power source. Radon Detection & Control explained to the homeowner that both were on the same 15-amp circuit / breaker. The Radon fan runs at 1.25-amp so this could never be an overload problem. We did not argue the realities, but rather, paid an independent electrician to remedy the problem. The electrician replaced one detector and replaced batteries in another. We paid him $283.06 to do this. His report did not determine a cause, but he fixed the problem. We accommodated the homeowner in all her requests and therefore we're frankly surprised for an "F" review. We paid our journeymen for a number of visits, paid for an independent plumber & electrician $567.56, and gave the previous owners payment of $850.00 to the homeowner. The fairness meter is firmly on our side. We sincerely regret all inconveniences to the homeowner. This incident is not indicative of our installations and is in fact an anomaly. John Mallon Partner Radon Detection & Control"
They drilled a hole in the basement floor & wall. They ran a pipe from the floor to the wall and attched it to the fan that sits outside. Above the fan is an exhaust pipe that looks very similar to a downspout. This "downspout" runs all the way up about 1 foot above the roof line. There is a simple light switch that operates the system and a gauge on the front of inside pipe that lets you know if suction is occurring. Before the guys left, they explained what they did and how it works. They cleaned up and told me to expect a test kit in the mail.
The test kits are handled by 3rd parties. They are a bit frustrating with the delays they cause. The first free test worked well and showed that the radon levels had been greatly reduced. The state of Pennsylvania has a free radon mitigation program as well. They will provide a short term and a long term test for free if you show proof that you had recently purchased a mitigation system. Unfortunately there isn't anyone to speak with regarding the process. You just fax your documents to a number listed on the website, and hope that someone gets it. They claim it can take up to 6 weeks! I received mine in 3 weeks. The testing is important to keep the warrenty active. I am currently in the middle of the state provided short term test. Hopefully the testing provides us with continued safe levels of radon.
I recently purchased a new home, and during the inspection, it was determined that the radon fan was no longer functioning and that the exhaust pipe should be extended beyond the roof of the house. Radon Detection and Control was contacted to do an estimate. The price seemed reasonable, so we agreed to have them come out.
My wife met the guy for the first appointment, which he was apparently an hour late for, cutting into my wife's work day. The gentleman had no problem replacing the fan, but when he prepared to extend the exhaust stack, he realized he did not have a tall enough ladder to do the job. I must point out that this was not some blind visit to our home; Radon Detection and Control had already been to the house for the estimate, so the approximate height of the roof should have already been known. However, it was not a huge deal, and the guy told my wife he would come back later in the week to complete the job. We wouldn't even have to be home; all the work was outside anyway. We agreed, paid them in full (our mistake), and waited. And waited. And waited.
Over one week later, I called Radon Detection and Control and asked when the guy planned on coming out to complete the job. I was asked if I'd made an appointment for the job completion, to which I replied, "why would I have to call and request an appointment for your mistake?" The person I talked to insisted that this is a very busy time of year, and that they could not get anyone out until the following Wednesday, over a week after the first appointment, even though they screwed up. I explained to them how ridiculous this was, but eventually agreed to the new appointment. The following Wednesday came, and went, and the exhaust stack was still not installed.
I called back in Thursday and asked why our job had not been completed yet. I was transferred to Rich, who basically told me that he had no idea why our job had not been completed. The worker who had been scheduled to do it Wednesday called in sick that Thursday, so Rich couldn't ask him why our job was not complete. Apparently this guy does not have a phone. Yes, that was sarcasm. Anyway, I angrily asked Rich when he was going to have someone come out and finish the job, to which he assured me that some of his guys were going to be putting up exhaust stacks all day...the following Wednesday. Exasperated, I accepted this new appointment, approximately 3 weeks after the first, failed appointment.
Today, I arrived home to see my new exhaust stack finally installed on the side of my house. Third time is a charm, after all.
The only reason Radon Detection and Control isn't getting an F from me is because the work was actually completed. However, there is no excuse for the complete lack of preparation and customer care displayed by this company during our transaction. If this is a busy time of year for your company, hire some seasonal help. When I make an appointment to have a job done, I expect that job to be done on the first appointment...not the third. And I certainly don't expect to have to hound a company to complete work at my home that I have ALREADY PAID FOR IN FULL.
I won't be using Radon Detection and Control in the future. Ever.
they give a warranty so I wanted to use them as opposed to other
companies. I loved everything except for the fact that they cut the
mounted insulation in my basement without asking me and they cut it in a jagged, unsymmetrical fashion that looks weird!
The first appointment we scheduled to install was a no show. Some how we were dropped out of the system?The second appointment, the installer was late because apparently one of the trucks broke down.And they were supposed to send two guys but only one was available.
He was very experienced. He worked for the company for over a decade, every day installing these exhaust fans and sealing basements. He worked quickly and efficiently. However, he ran out of time because he was alone and our basement was a mess. I think he would have come back but he showed me what to do. So I finished up the sealing myself. The results were a dramatic drop (like 75%) in the Radon levels to 1.5.
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