MDH Gold Standard for Radon Resistant New Construction
GOLD STANDARD BUILDERS
Gold Standard Builders are builders that have decided to take an active role in reducing the radon levels in the homes that they build. They are licensed contractors and are in the business to build homes, therefore they have to follow all the requirements of the building codes. For more information on building contractors please visit www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/RBCConsumer.asp
| Contractor Name Builder License # |
Address Contact Info |
Service Area |
| Adamski Builders #20271902 |
239 E Myrtle St Duluth MN 55811 218-727-2495 |
Statewide |
| Amaris Custom Homes #364759 |
2593 Lake Ave N White Bear Township, MN 55110 651-426-0584 www.amariscustomhomes.com |
Twin Cities Metro |
| Bruce Lenzen Design Build LLC #639077 |
106 Buckeye #202 Hudson, WI 54016 651-329-4060 www.brucelenzendesignbuild.com |
Metro |
| Berger Built Construction Company, Inc. #483237 |
217 Maple St Mahtomedi, MN 55115 612-865-5726 www.bergerbuilthomes.com |
Forest Lake/Washington County |
| Danchenko Installations, Inc #20630778 |
19542 Co Rd 35 Elk River, MN 55330 763-498-3041 |
Statewide & Western WI |
| Ecklund & Swedlund Construction, Inc |
3235 Fernbrook Ln N Plymouth, MN 55441 763-557-0662 www.ecklundswedlundconstruction.com |
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Suburbs |
| Gonyea Homes #2559 |
6102 Olson Memorial Hwy Golden Valley, MN 55422 763-432-4515 www.gonyeahomes.com |
Metro Area |
| Hanson Builders #4568 |
13432 Hanson Blvd Andover, MN 55304 763-421-5435 www.hansonbuilders.com |
Plymouth, Maple Grove, Blaine, Little Canada |
JMS Custom Homes, LLC |
5250 W 74th St Edina, MN 55439 952-949-3630 www.jmscustomhomes.com | 5 County Metro Area |
| Minnetonka Custom Homes #20386620 |
3575 Tuxedo Rd Minnetrista, MN 55364 952-386-4494 www.minnetonkacustomhomes.com | West Suburbs |
| Mitchell Construction #20444563 |
125 W Broadway #100 Minneapolis, MN 55411 612-588-3112 www.mitchellconstructionmn.com |
Metro |
| Posch Builders, LLC #20630226 |
3403 Tall Pine Tr Stillwater, MN 55082 651-269-2021 www.poschbuilders.com |
Washington/ Ramsey Counties |
| Project for Pride in Living | 1035 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-455-5100 www.ppl-inc.com |
Twin Cities Metro Area |
| RDV Construction #20385129 |
6574 - 100th St Glencoe, MN 55336 320-864-4243 www.rdvcompanies.com |
Central MN/Western Metro Area |
| Redstone Builders, LLC #20626288 |
4084 Oakbrooke Alcove Eagan, MN 55122 651-454-4297 www.redstonebuilders.net | 13 County Metro Area |
| Rich Cooke Homes, LLC #39076 |
327 S CoveRd Hudson, WI 54016 715-760-0122 |
East Metro |
| Rohan Lund Homes #192981 |
360 N Arm Ln Orono, MN 55364 612-751-2006 www.rohanlund.com |
Metro Area |
| Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity #5603 |
3001 - 4th St SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-331-4090 www.tchabitat.org |
7 County Metro Area |
Why build to the MDH Gold Standard?
State Building Code only requires that a vent pipe be put in that would allow for an easy and cost effective radon mitigation system. Testing must be done by every homeowner to determine for themselves if they need to take further action to protect their family from the health risks of radon.
The MDH Gold Standard Builders and Contractors have gone the extra mile in offering their customers the opportunity to include a full mitigation system to be installed that will not only reduce the radon levels but will reduce the likelihood of other indoor containments, that the building code does not consider.
What are the Building Code Requirements?
Homes built using radon-resistant construction techniques usually rely on "passive" radon control. These systems reduce soil gas entry points and provide a route to vent the gases to the outdoors. A fan may need to be installed to further reduce the radon level. They include the following:
- Aggregate: Four inches of clean aggregate; soil-gas collection mats or drainage mats may also be used instead.
- Soil-gas retarder: 6 mil thick polyethylene sheeting, overlapped 12 inches at seams and fitted closely around all penetrations, is placed over the aggregate. In crawlspaces, it is sealed to the foundation walls and interior piers.
- Sealing: All potential soil gas entry points are sealed with caulking or expanding foam. Sump baskets must have a sealed cover.
- Vent pipe "T": A "T" fitting made of 3 to 4 inch diameter PVC piping is inserted into the aggregate under the basement slab or under a crawl space's vapor barrier.
- Vent pipe: The vent pipe is a 3 to 4 inch diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe that is connected to the "T" in the aggregate. If the home has a sump pit or drain tile system, the vent pipe can instead be inserted directly into the sump pit or connected to the drain tile loop. The vent pipe runs vertically up to and through the roof.
- Electrical junction box: An electrical junction box is roughed in the attic near the vent pipe. The power supply can be used if the radon control system needs to be "activated" by installing a fan in the future.
- Roof flashing: Flashing must be installed around the vent pipe where it exits the roof to prevent leakage.
Builder Benefits
As a home builder in today's tough real estate market, potential customers are actively searching for a quality built home from both an investment and a health stand point. As an MDH Gold Standard Builder, you are placing your company above your competition as an organization that cares about their customers.
Additionally, MDH will assist you in promoting and marketing your homes via advertising, signage and hands on presentations at various venues such as home shows, the state fair etc.
Actively control your radon:
Installing a radon mitigation fan can make a big difference between the minimum required by State Building Code, to a maximum reduction of your lung cancer risk due to radon. To ensure that the systems is working properly check your system warning device/u-tube periodically. See System Warning Device/U-Tube information sheet. (PDF: 83KB/1 page)
Radon Resistant New Construction Energy Calculations (PDF: 83KB/1 page) - this information sheet compares the cost of running a mitigation fan to other common household items.
If your builder does not currently build to the MDH Gold Standard have them contact Tom Standke at 651-201-5209 or by email.