Understanding How Your Radon Mitigation System Works
This article will help you have a better understanding of how your radon mitigation system works.
Let’s start by looking at the different aspects of your radon system, beginning with the radon pipe.
Minnesota Department of Health System Tag
The first thing you will notice at the top is the Minnesota Department of Health system tag. They may email you to request an inspection, which you can accept or decline.
Radon System Alarm
Going down from there, we have the radon system alarm. Yours may vary, but this is one of the most popular models currently.
Testing the Alarm
This alarm can be tested by pushing the test button on the top left. It will beep, and all four lights will light up. Each light has a different meaning written on the side of the alarm. More information on the alarm and the meaning of the lights can be found in the owner’s manual in the system packet attached to the system.
Silencing The Alarm
There is also a hush button on the top right, which you can use to silence the alarm. This is especially useful if your system freezes up for several days, you lose power for an extended period, or the fan is off.
Recalibrating The Alarm
After hushing the alarm, you may need to recalibrate the alarm. To do so, push in the cover and slide it down to access the battery. Then, remove the battery.
Next, push and hold the test button to discharge any power remaining inside the alarm. Hold this for about 10-20 seconds, holding for a few seconds after the beep stops, then reinsert the battery.
The alarm will go through a calibration cycle, which takes about 20 seconds. When it is complete, you will hear a chirp. The green LED light will flash every few seconds to indicate the alarm is monitoring.
U-Tube Manometer
Below the alarm is the U-tube Manometer. This is not measuring your radon levels. It is a visual gauge that shows that your system is creating suction and measures whether the fan is working.
Offset Fluid Is Good
If the fluid levels are offset or different, that is good. It means the radon system is working to create suction underneath your home, thereby reducing your radon levels.
Level Fluid Could Be A Problem
If the fluid levels are equal at the 0 mark, the radon system is not working to create suction.
Radon System Label
The radon system label is located next to the U-Tube manometer. It is a quick reference for information regarding your radon system.
It includes information such as:
- The mitigation company and contact information.
- The initial U-Tube level. Call for service if the fluid levels change drastically from what was initially marked.
- The fan make and model for quick reference should the fan need replacing in the future.
- The annual operating cost of the system.
- The pre-mitigation levels.
- Once you receive your post-mitigation test results back, you will want to write them on this sticker for easy future reference.
Radon System Operating Packet
Finally, you have the system operating packet with important information about your radon system. We recommend printing the post-mitigation radon test results and adding them to the packet so you can locate them quickly in the future.
This packet includes:
- A business card with our contact information.
- Ongoing maintenance and monitoring instructions.
- The PFE or pressure field extension information for your system.
Sump Basket Access
If your home has a sump basket or sump pump, you may have a solid cover or a clear Lexan cover.
In both instances, to gain access to the sump basket, you will remove the access port by loosening the red nut and pulling out the access port. This will allow you to reach down into the basket to test your sump pump or visually inspect the water level in your sump basket.
It is important that you tighten the red nut back up, as this forms an airtight seal in your sump cover.
The cover is also sealed with silicone. If you ever need to remove it to replace the sump pump, ensure it is resealed with silicone when the job is complete.
Water Alarm
You may see a wire coming out through the cover of the sump basket. This is for a water alarm, which has a sensor in the sump basket to alert you of high water levels. This can indicate a sump pump failure or be precautionary in a case where you don’t have a sump pump. It will alert you when water gets too high and could flood the basement.
You can test this alarm by pressing the button on the side of the alarm.
A 9V battery operates this alarm. A low battery chirp occurs every 5 minutes when it is time to replace the battery. You can slide the alarm up to take it off the wall. Then, you can depress the cover and slide it down to access the battery and replace it.
Now, let’s look at the different kinds of radon systems.
Garage Attic Radon System
The radon system comes up the basement wall, out into the garage, up the garage wall, into the garage attic, where the radon fan is, and then discharges through the roof.
House Attic Radon System
Your home may have the radon system running through a closet and into the house’s attic and then discharging through the roof.
Outside Radon System
Your home may also have an outside radon system. If so, the fan is most likely located on the side of your home.
Radon Heat Cable to Prevent Freeze-Ups on Outside Radon Systems
If you have an outside system, you may also have a heat cable system. If you have a heat cable system, you want to turn it on when it’s cold, and the system is susceptible to freezing to keep it clear. Then, shut it off when it is not needed.
If you have a heat cable, we will leave the wiring kit for the electrician with your radon test kits. Make sure you keep this packet and give it to the electrician when they come to wire your radon fan and heat cable.
Finally, let’s look at the next steps once your mitigation system is installed.
Customer Feedback
We will leave a customer satisfaction survey and a prepaid envelope. We always like to hear what went well and what we can improve on in the future.
Short-Term Radon Test Kit
You will also receive a short-term radon test kit. This test is to see how the radon system is working after mitigation. You can set the test up 24 hours after the system has been up and running.
If you have multiple radon test kits, your house has multiple foundation zones, so you will want to set up a test in each zone. See the image above.
Check out how to set up the Air Chek Test Kit.
Long-Term Radon Test Kit
A long-term test kit is included with some of our radon service plans. Make sure you get the results from your short-term test kit before starting the long-term test.
Thank you
Thank you so much for working with us. We hope this has given you a better understanding of your new radon system and how to take care of it.
If you are looking for radon system service or installation and are in the Minneapolis, MN, area, contact us here.