How Do I Know If My Radon System Is Working?
Radon gas is a naturally occurring byproduct produced by and found in soil. Being overexposed to it, however, can cause several adverse health effects, so your home should be routinely tested for its presence.
Should your home test negatively for radon, it is likely that you already have a radon mitigation system installed to protect you and your family. Most of these do not need a lot in the way of maintenance, and they operate quietly in the background. With that said, you may be wondering, “How do I know if my radon system is working?”
Why Should I Protect Myself From Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is released in abundance by soil, rocks, and even water. Although small amounts aren’t harmful, radon quickly becomes dangerous as it builds up indoors. When you breathe it in, its radioactive particles become trapped inside your lungs and begin to accumulate, increasing your chances of developing lung cancer.
Immediate symptoms of radon poisoning are uncommon, as they instead often manifest several years later. They might begin as a cough or wheezing that doesn’t go away, for instance. Other symptoms people experience include the following:
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Unexplained weight loss
Currently, there is no medical test available that can determine whether you’ve inhaled a harmful amount of radon, but you can still protect yourself by having a radon mitigation system installed in your home. Nevertheless, once you do, you may still need to ask, “How do I know if my radon system is working?”
Understanding Whether Your Radon System Is Working
Checking the U-Tube Manometer
A U-tube manometer is a visual gauge containing red, blue, or green fluid, which tells the user whether the system’s radon fan is working and warns of a potential system failure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that manufacturers install these devices into every active radon mitigation system.
With that in mind, one way in which to determine whether your radon system is functioning adequately is to verify whether its U-tube manometer works. It operates by having the radon fan create suction to pull fluid up one side of the gauge. A small piece of transparent tubing extends from the manometer to a little hole in the radon vent pipe, and the tube's other side remains open.
You want the fluid to be higher on one side, so if the fluid levels are different, your radon system is working. With that said, if the fluid levels are even, it’s a clear sign that the system is malfunctioning.
Before you jump into action and call in a professional, here are a few troubleshooting options you can take first:
Verify the hose connects the vacuum to the PVC pipe
Ensure all breakers are switched on
Make sure that the service switch is in the on position
If your fan makes loud noises but otherwise works, check to see if anything is lodged or stuck inside
If you try these and your U-tube manometer still shows equal levels, you must hire a radon mitigation expert to inspect and repair the radon fan as soon as possible. They’ll determine the problem and make a suggestion based on their findings.
The average lifespan of a radon mitigation fan is between seven and 12 years, but like any appliance, there are instances where things simply don’t last as long as intended. In such a case, it’s time for a replacement.
Retesting Your Home
Another way to determine whether your radon system works is to have it tested again. The EPA recommends testing your home every two years, even if you know your mitigation system is performing properly, but you may want to consider testing annually if you’re completing home renovations or if someone moves into your basement.
You can invest in home testing sets, like charcoal radon test kits, which are relatively cost-effective, though you could always call in a professional radon detection team to administer continuous radon monitoring and testing.
Install an Alarm
Lastly, your installation team can install an alarm along with your radon system. If the fan stops working, the alarm will immediately alert you with a light and an audible tone.
Why Your Radon System May Suddenly Stop Working
There are numerous reasons why your radon mitigation system may cease its proper functioning. Extreme moisture beneath the system may cause it to malfunction, as too much moisture absorption can decrease its lifespan.
If you hear a gurgling sound coming from the pipes, the slope may be off or too small. A professional can adjust the pitch, increase the size, or add another suction point to help drainage.
In other, less serious cases, someone may have simply thought the system was working too hard and turned it off. Still, your home is not protected if the radon fan is shut off. It must blow 24/7 to ensure the radon dissipates from the air.
The Consequences of a Radon System That Doesn’t Work
Radon is a gas, so it takes only a few hours, if not minutes, to fill the air in your home. Homes with low air pressure allow the radon levels to rise faster, putting you and your family at risk, and without proper ventilation, the health risks become detrimental.
Should your radon mitigation system stop working, regardless of the reason, conduct another test. Even if the system is repaired, the radon levels may have risen to dangerously high levels, and that repeated test will alert you to the severity of the conditions within your home. From there, a certified radon mitigation professional can provide suggestions to rectify the situation.
Maintain Your Radon System to Prevent Problems
Many people believe that once a radon mitigation system is installed, their home is protected forever. Unfortunately, these systems have a rigid lifespan, just like any other household appliance.
That said, you can extend the life of your mitigation system by performing simple routine maintenance. Making radon mitigation system maintenance a part of your regular home inspections will allow you to identify a problem before it becomes more extensive.
First, you can check for debris inside the system after cutting power to the fan by removing the couplings and pulling the fan away from the system. Using a flashlight, inspect up and down the entire pipe and remove any debris with a vacuum.
After that, lightly tap on the fan to remove accumulated dust and gunk on its blades — you’ll be surprised to see how many dead bugs and leaves fall out. Once you remove the debris, reinstall your fan and turn it back on. Now is also a great time to verify that the U-tube manometer functions properly.
Let Local Certified Pros From Rapid Radon Relief Inspect Your Radon Mitigation System
If your radon mitigation system doesn’t seem to work, count on Rapid Radon Relief to find the solution. We are a team of certified technicians with over a decade of experience and are highly knowledgeable about radon gas.
As such, we offer our customers quick turn-around times that keep them from ever worrying about the dangerous effects of radon. We provide ten-year warranties for our radon fans and lifetime warranties that cover the system as a whole.
Our team works to protect you from radon exposure that puts you at risk of developing deadly health conditions. With our variety of radon services, you can know an experienced team of experts is ready to answer your call. You’ll always have reassurance knowing that Rapid Radon Relief is on your side to put your mind at ease.
With that being said, call Rapid Radon Relief whenever you suspect an issue with your radon mitigation system, and we’ll complete a thorough assessment to determine and solve the problem.
