Radon Facts to Answer Your FAQs

Get the radon facts to answer your questions. Here's a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to radon and radon abatement techniques. For additional and  more in depth information about radon and radon mitigation please view their respective categories in the site index.

If you have a questions that's not being addressed please click the link in the gray box to ask your radon question. I will respond to your question by e-mail promptly. Then your question will probably be added to Radon FAQ list. We won't use your name here so don't be afraid to ask!

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Radon Mitigation Questions

Radon Mitigation System Location

Other Radon Reduction Methods

Radon System Specifications

Troubleshooting


Radon Mitigation System Location

Q. Why can't I install my radon fan in the basement?

A. A radon fan is designed to draw radon up from under the foundation of your home and out of the house. If a leak were to form above the radon fan installed in the basement, the radon would be drawn into your home. Since radon is colorless and odorless you may not realize the problem for years.

Read more about where to install your radon fan here.

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Q. Can I use my chimney or sewer vent for a radon pipe?

A. An unused chimney could be used to route the pipe through the house, but the placement of the fan in the attic space may be difficult.

A sewer vent is not a good options for a radon pipe. It could be smelly and potentially dangerous.

Read about the proper way to route your radon pipe here.

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Q. Why can't I vent my radon pipe out the side of my house?

A. Radon facts show that radon can reenter the house through an open window or through cracks. For this reason it's better to send the radon straight up, out and away from the house.

Read more about your radon vent exhaust here. 

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Other Radon Reduction Methods

Q. Can I seal radon out by caulking and using a concrete sealant?

A.  Sealing can help, but doesn't completely fix the issue. It can be hard to seal every crack and a new crack can form at any time. Plus the life span of the caulk is lessened in a moist basement environment.

Read more about sealing your basement against radon here.

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Radon System Specifications

Q. What size radon pipe should I use for my system?

A. When in doubt use 4" PVC, but there are some instances when 3" pipe will work.

Read more about pipe size here.

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Q. What size should my suction hole be?

A. The size of your suction hole should be big enough for the proper digging out of your suction pit and yet sized correctly to hold the lip of your floor piece. This is also why you would not want to drill a 3” hole even if you are using 3” pipe. This is not a big enough size hole to get your arm and tools in to dig.

You should use a piece of 4" PVC pipe to mark the size of your hole. This allows for enough room for your arm and tools to dig but will also allow a 4 "coupling to sit on the concrete when you install your pipe. This will work even if you are running 3" pipe. You need to use a 3x4 reducer and a piece of 4" pipe as seen in the picture.

To get even more room to dig, you can go with the 4x6 floor bushing. This is good if you have a situation with tight soil conditions and want to have more reach when digging.  

Find out more with a step by step guide and video.

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Suction pit size

Q. How do I install/read my radon mitigation system manometer?

A. Watch this video or see this page for step-by-step instructions.

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Radon Facts: Troubleshooting

Q.  Do I hear water in my radon pipe?

A. Probably. Condensation can accumulate in the radon vent pipe.

See what you can do to remedy this here.

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