How a Radon Mitigation System Works

Let’s examine the basic components of a radon mitigation system and how it works to reduce radon in your home.

Your house draws radon in from the soil below the slab, which can cause high radon levels inside your home. As warm air rises and escapes out the top of your house, more air is drawn in down low to replace that air. A small percentage of that air has radon in it.

We design radon mitigation systems, which are basically ventilation systems that create suction under the entire home to safely remove radon.

Suction Point

We use pressure field extension testing (PFE) to design a radon mitigation system tailored to your home that will keep radon levels as low as possible. PFE testing also helps determine the optimal location for the system’s suction point(s).

A suction point is used to draw the soil gas into the system from below your home. We core a hole through the floor, excavate some soil, and then tie it into the drain tile (if applicable) by cutting a hole in the top that will allow more airflow.

The next step is to seal the pipe in the floor and run it out of the house.

Radon Vent Pipe

Once the suction point is established, the next step is to seal the vent pipe into the floor. From there, it typically runs up and out of the house and into the garage.

Sump Basket Cover

If your house has a sump basket with an unsealed cover, we will install a sealed cover. This will ensure the radon system isn’t drawing conditioned air that you’re paying to heat and cool out of your house.

Vent Pipe Insulation

The vent pipe comes from the basement, out into the garage, and up into the garage attic. We insulate the radon pipe to keep the air in the pipe warmer so it is less likely to freeze in the winter. It also prevents condensation from forming so the pipe won’t get full of mold and mildew over time.

Firestop Collar

When we pass through a garage wall, we are passing through a firewall. To maintain the integrity of the firewall, we install a firestop collar.

Radon Fan

Up in the garage attic, we have a vent pipe leading to our radon fan, which creates suction under the house. A licensed electrician adds an outlet for the radon fan.

From here, the pipe exhausts out above the house.

Vent Pipe Exhaust

Finally, we are up on the roof where the vent pipe is coming out. We paint the pipe to match the shingle color and install a critter guard cap on top that will keep birds, squirrels, and acorns out of the fan.

A lot of people ask about a rain cap. Rain will pass through the radon fan, and all of the pipes we install are pitched toward our suction point, so any rain that gets in there will end up under the slab. The radon system will pull more moisture out from under your home in one day than you will get in a year’s worth of rainfall down the pipe. Rain caps can also form ice blockages in cold climates, which can prevent your system from working optimally when you need it most.

Ready to learn more about radon mitigation? Our in-depth blog on installing a radon mitigation system will guide you through the installation process.

If you are in the Minneapolis, MN, area and need radon system service or installation, contact us for an estimate.