Maintaining your Radon Mitigation System

Congratulations! You’ve taken the necessary steps to improve the indoor air quality of your home with a Radon Mitigation System. The next question that usually follows is “Am I required to maintain the system?” Below are some helpful tips about your system to keep in mind.

First and foremost, the radon fan is designed to run 24/7. The radon fan needs to run continuously in order for the system to work properly. Radon systems are unlike other mechanicals in your home, such as your furnace or air conditioner, as they don’t require annual cleanings or tune-ups. They do, however, require that some attention be paid. When you take the system as a whole into consideration, the only “moving” part is the actual fan itself. As with any type of motor, there is a life expectancy.

Most fans on the market today carry a 5-year warranty against mechanical failure. Therefore, most fans will last for at least 5 years. To stay on top of things, you will want to occasionally check the Manometer, or the visual gauge. The manometer will be on the pipe work where your system is located inside your house. This may be your basement, a closet, etc., depending on where your point of installation is. We like to refer to this gauge as the U-tube. Inside the tube is red or blue liquid. The fluid inside the tube should be offset, which indicates a pressure reading. Your installer should have marked the original pressure readings during installation, and you may use this as your guide. Offset is good! That means things are working. When your radon fan has been shut off or has stopped working, the pressure reading will be equal to or at zero, indicating a problem. There are other add-ons that you can have on your system, such as an audible alarm; however, for our example in this case, the manometer is your guide.

What do I do if my fan isn’t working?

Simply call your contractor. Your licensed professional will be able to troubleshoot the system, make any necessary repairs, or replace the non-working fan. A typical fan replacement, depending on your area of the country and the type of fan used for your home, will normally range $250-$400. Lastly, by testing your home every 2 years, you are able to verify that your levels remain low and that your system is operating properly.

Christopher Bice, Founder of Guardian Radon Mitigation & Electrical Services, LLC, is a licensed and certified Radon Mitigation contractor through the State of Illinois’ IEMA Division. Guardian Radon Mitigation & Electrical Services, LLC has been keeping radon levels low in Oswego, Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, and Yorkville homes.