Is Your Radon Mitigation System up to Code?

There have been updates in the past to radon mitigation system code guidelines. Ensuring your system is up to code and working properly will help keep your radon levels low. It will also prevent any future headaches if you are planning on selling your home in the near future.

What should I look for to make sure my system is up to code?

There have been changes in a few common aspects that older systems may not have:

• Is your radon system exhausting past your roofline?
  • Many older systems do not have an exhaust point past the home’s roofline. This is an important aspect to check with your system. It is also important to make sure your system has a dedicated exhaust and is not attached to other exhausts of the home, such as a clothes dryer exhaust.

 

• Is your radon fan located outside the home, or in your attic?
  • It is important to check that the radon fan is not inside the crawlspace, basement, or other living space of the home. It is ok to have the fan in the garage if there is no living space above the garage.

 

• Is your system’s manometer working properly?
  • If you have a u-shaped manometer that is filled with red fluid, it is important to check it occasionally to ensure the fluid stays within the tube. On occasion, water can seep into the tube, or the fluid can evaporate over time. It is also important to check that the two levels of the manometer are not at zero. If the levels are at zero, this could indicate a problem with the fan.

 

• If you have a crawlspace, is a vapor barrier installed?
  • In homes with crawlspaces, mitigation systems work best with a vapor barrier installed. Besides the decrease of moisture damage, a vapor barrier can increase the efficiency of the system, creating lower levels of radon overall. If you do have a vapor barrier in your crawlspace it is important that the edges are sealed to the foundation and that there are no holes or tears.

Examples of correct system installation per the current guidelines:

Correctly exhausted systems with correctly located fans:

Examples of incorrect system installation per the current guidelines:

Incorrectly exhausted systems:

As always, our radon technicians are happy to assist with any questions you might have with your system, or if you would like to have a system installed. Please, do not hesitate to call us. 303.444.5253