Lakefront Log Cabin Gets Discreet Radon Mitigation Without Sacrificing Aesthetic

Tucked away at the bottom of a steep gravel drive, a beautiful two-story log cabin overlooking the lake was experiencing elevated radon levels of 11.6. With no warranty on levels and a fully finished basement, the homeowner took proactive steps to ensure the safety of the space. A single sub-slab extraction point was installed in the HVAC room, with careful planning around washer/dryer placement to maximize effectiveness. The system was routed discreetly—cored through the poured wall and run behind exposed exterior logs to preserve the cabin’s rustic charm. Though no one was home during the installation, everything was carefully coordinated. The homeowner also invested in a 20x25 BreatheEZ filter and UVC light system for their primary residence in Des Moines.

The crew did a great job with this customer's encapsulation. They recently lost their spouse and wanted to take care of the radon levels in their home to make it as safe as possible. Our crew was able to lift that worry by encapsulating this crawl space giving them overall better indoor air quality.

The homeowner thought it would be a challenge for our team to create a crawl space for the radon mitigation to be built but there is no location or limitation of space that our team cannot handle! 

From Surprise to Solution: Tackling High Radon in a Home with Additions

After 15 years in their home, this family was shocked when a radon test revealed fluctuating levels between 10–25 pCi/L—despite having a passive system. Their children’s bedrooms are in the lower level, so health concerns were top of mind. The homeowner had already taken initiative by adding a fan to the passive system, but discovered it wasn’t addressing two key radon chambers in the home’s large rear addition.

Radon Defense Midwest stepped in to design a two-point mitigation system for the addition, along with an ERV for improved air circulation. With thoughtful placement and homeowner collaboration, this project reflects what’s possible when experience, concern, and the right team come together.

This homeowner wanted to make sure his family is safe from the high exposure to radon. It was a challenge installing the radon mitigation system but everything turned out fine.