1840 Root Cellar - Installing Ventilation for Temperature and Radon (part 1)

Brenda can't use her beautiful root cellar because it's too warm and also has radon - - a naturally occurring radioactive gas. We are adding a ventilation system to address both problems. We are also hoping this will reduce the radon level in the larder.
Link to Radon Detector we used - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Link to CDC for more information - www.cdc.gov/radon/index.html

[@odulcina]

This is quite something to get through a problem like that! I am sure there are lots of people that don’t even know they have the problem for the gaz!

[@mslayne001]

If it is possible, I would cross ventilate. I would pull the hot air return closer to the ceiling. cold air would come from the floor. it would help cool it down by pulling the warm air from the top and replacing it with cool air from the floor. I love your cellar. great video.

[@nancyseery2213]

I would love just a basement, any old basement. We live in a flat, low area with the whole neighborhood on septic, not to mention all of the rock in our soil---so no under or in ground anything, not even a storm shelter. What a bummer! Glad to hear there is a solution for your problem. It would be a shame not to be able to use the larder and the root cellar. My son that lives in Nebraska has an older farm house (early 1900's) with a root cellar out in the yard. It's made of brick with a pretty arched ceiling. The ground temp gets down to about 50 to 52, depending on time of year. It needs repairs and a very good cleaning, but I think they should take the time and money to bring it back to it's former glory. God bless you'll and keep growing.

[@greenrockgarden2851]

Wow! What a challenge! Can’t wait to see the progress.

[@roxannem.wallrn3873]

We (most basements in Buffalo/Western NY) have radon in our basements… everyone has radon abatement pipes - good luck! Thanks for sharing… Beautiful root cellar

[@carolkantner1770]

Good to see you can save a wonderful part of the house. Maybe use some smaller fieldstone to cover the pipe.

[@beadwright]

Wow what a challenge! I'm so sorry you have such high levels in your wonderful root celler. But I am glad you discovered it so this can be remediated. Please let us know the before and after numbers. You could paint the pipe, build a box/ column like cover to hang stuff on, or learn masonry and cover it with stonework depending on how much the pvc bugs you. Perhaps start with painting and live with it a little... then step up to a wooden cover...

[@suehogan2408]

You wear many hats as a farm owner - Hope it all works out

[@Red-Bird-October]

Aw, man! Bummer! Painting the pipe black might help the appearance. Would the stored food absorb the radioactive gas?

[@sheilafleet7060]

Excellent work there!! What have you done with the cellar in the barn?

[@jeffphillips6795]

What about your food non canned you keep in the basement? Love your channel I am up in Williamsport

[@bezmark7528]

Great job ! Would a concrete floor have helped ?