What is the Best Radon Mitigation System
The Best Radon Supplies
Whenever it comes to a project, whether it’s a DIY or for a business, the right supplies will not only make the project easier, but the end results will turn out better. The same principle applies to radon mitigation supplies as well. There are only two types of radon mitigation systems you can install; outside systems and garage systems. Whether its a normal Festa AMG radon fan, or a Low Voltage Festa AMG radon fan, both will require similar supplies to install the system properly. It's important to research radon mitigation systems properly in order to fully understand what they do and how they function. A simple “How to mitigate radon” will bring up plenty of results. There are several mistakes an individual can make installing their own DIY radon mitigation system, let’s dive into the list of radon supplies that sets a person up for a successful and effective install.
Outside Radon Mitigation Systems
To start, be sure to check that your home doesn’t already have a radon mitigation system in it. You can typically locate sections of them in the basement, garage or attic. After you have checked and you are sure your home doesn’t have a radon system, it’s highly recommended to either purchase a radon test kit, or find an individual in your area who is certified to measure radon gas. Those who are certified in measuring radon gas use higher quality radon testing equipment, such as digital tests. Digital tests for radon gas measuring are more accurate than charcoal tests, but not by much. The biggest advantage digital radon tests have over radon test kits is the amount of time it takes to get your results. Digital radon tests typically take between 2-3 days, radon test kits that use actiavted charcoal tpyically take between 1- weeks. Both options will still provide the radon results you need. From there, you will find out whether or not your home will require a radon system.
When it comes to installing outside radon systems, the radon pipe fittings you choose matter, as temperature fluctuates drastically during the winter and summer months (depending on your location). Because of this temperature change, the pipe and radon fan couplings will loosen or tighten, leading to a possible leak and loss of suction. This potentially could rid the radon system useless until it is fixed. That is why we recommend Fernco couplings. Through our preliminary testing, we found Fernco couplings sealed the pipe best, and kept their rigidity and shape no matter what temperature. It’s agreed among plumbers, mitigators, HVAC technicians and many others that Fernco couplings life expectancy is the best in the business. You can purchase white Ferncos here, but at Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, and other smaller stores, typically only black Ferncos are available. At Radon Superstore, we offer the lowest prices and even have bulk discounts if you're a licensed technician. Contact us to see if you qualify!
Pipe support clamps to keep the pipe flush and sturdy against the outside of your wall. Depending on your radon vent pipe size, we carry 3” and 4” pipe straps. By code, these pipe brackets need to be attached every 8 ft. Most outside systems only require 2 vertical pipe supports. It’s important to know the radon vent pipe requirement calls for the pipe to be exhausted at least 12” above your roof line. Many people ask “Do you have radon vent covers, should I put a cap on top of the radon system?" I understand there is concern for having an open radon exhaust pipe above the roof. The concern is debris, liquids, and other objects potentially falling in there and either ruin the fan, or causing issues in their basement. This is simply not the case. If the radon system was installed right, the fan should be putting out enough air pressure to prevent most debris from entering the pipe. We don’t recommend radon vent covers or caps due to the fact that the fan will be pulling moisture out from the sub slab. When that meets cold winter air, ice will form on the vent cover and eventually clog the system, burning the radon motor out. Outside radon systems are not the most aesthetically pleasing, so radon fan covers are an option to try and hide it more. Check out radon mitigation blogs for more tips and tricks.
Water is an electrical components worst nightmare. Choosing the right 6ft power strip and strain relief connectors (also known cable glands) are crucial to ensure the system never runs into a short. The cord needs to be a heavy duty 6ft Nema 5-15P 125v SJTW ROJ (18/3, or 16/3) power cord. To seal this cord against a Festa Radon Fan, a PG13.5 or NPT ½ liquid tight (waterproof) cord grip will secure the cord to the fan. If you aren’t sure how to install a strain relief connector, there is tons of information online to help. These can be metal, or nylon. The cords and connectors that we use are UV resistant to ensure longevity against the outside elements. You can find those items here.
For residential systems, a simple manometer will do. These get mounted to the radon vent pipe in the basement and are sometimes called “U-tubes” because of the shape. A manometer is used to measure the static pressure being pulled from your fan to ensure calculations were correct and the fan isn’t pulling too little or too much air. Let’s say you were running a radon system maintenance check one day and noticed the manometer was reading 0 static pressure. This means your radon fan is not working. There are a couple reasons why this may be: The fan got unplugged, the switch got turned off, the breaker tripped, power was lost, or the tube connecting the manometer to the pipe got disconnected. If you go through all of these checks and don't find any issues, your radon fan is most likely dead and it is time to replace it. For a replacement radon fan, you can see what we stock here.
Garage or Attic Radon Mitigation Systems
If the option is available, a garage or attic radon system is a great way to install a radon fan. As long as it is ventilated, the fan can be hidden inside the attic and the exhaust pipe can exit through the roof. There are many benefits to garage systems. Some include improving curb appeal, noise reduction, the exhaust vent is most likely already away from windows, it’s protected from nature’s elements, and it’s easily accessible from inside. The radon mitigation system parts that are required for this type of installation do not differ much from the supplies needed for an outside radon system. A roof boot will need to be installed for the radon pipe to vent out to. This helps ensure there are no leaks. It’s also important as you are running your radon pipe through the attic, it's ran with a slight angled pitch to allow any water that does enter, to run down the pipe and towards the fan. This prevents water from pooling inside the pipe. Use 3-inch J-hooks or 4-inch J-Hooks and attach them to the supports of the frame, one gradually positioned higher than the next. If those aren’t available, you can use a 2x4 to make blocks, one taller than the previous to create an angled pitch also. This allows you to then use metal pipe brackets to secure the 4” pvc pipe or 3” pvc pipe to these blocks.
What Type/Size Pipe For My Radon Fan Mitigation System?
Typically 3" pipe or 4" pipe is used for radon mitigation systems. The EPA radon mitigation standards require the PVC pipe be schedule 40. This is due in part to the schedule 40 pipe being more rigid, and sound absorbent. 3" pvc pipe is often used for systems that require a higher suction. For example, 4" pvc pipe is commonly used for radon systems that require a higher air volume moved. If your system needs a little mix of suction and air volume, check the specifications of your radon fan and know whether it’s high suction, or high flow (air volume) or both! Be careful however, choosing too wide of a PVC pipe can decrease the velocity at which the fan pulls air, affecting negative pressure drastically, not allowing your fan to preform at its full potential. Don't know what radon fan to buy? Check out our flow chart here.
At Radon Superstore, we stand behind our top of the line products and aim to provide them at the most affordable price. Our online store was specifically designed with the user in mind to make shopping for radon supplies as easy as possible. There is no need to waste time and money shopping at big named stores when you can get the same products, at a cheaper price, shipped right to your doorstep, all from the comfort of your own home. Thanks for looking!
If the option is available, a garage or attic radon system is a great way to install a radon fan. As long as it is ventilated, the fan can be hidden inside the attic and the exhaust pipe can exit through the roof. There are many benefits to garage systems. Some include improving curb appeal, noise reduction, the exhaust vent is most likely already away from windows, it’s protected from nature’s elements, and it’s easily accessible from inside. The radon mitigation system parts that are required for this type of installation do not differ much from the supplies needed for an outside radon system. A roof boot will need to be installed for the radon pipe to vent out to. This helps ensure there are no leaks. It’s also important as you are running your radon pipe through the attic, it's ran with a slight angled pitch to allow any water that does enter, to run down the pipe and towards the fan. This prevents water from pooling inside the pipe. Use 3-inch J-hooks or 4-inch J-Hooks and attach them to the supports of the frame, one gradually positioned higher than the next. If those aren’t available, you can use a 2x4 to make blocks, one taller than the previous to create an angled pitch also. This allows you to then use metal pipe brackets to secure the 4” pvc pipe or 3” pvc pipe to these blocks.
What Type/Size Pipe For My Radon Fan Mitigation System?
Typically 3" pipe or 4" pipe is used for radon mitigation systems. The EPA radon mitigation standards require the PVC pipe be schedule 40. This is due in part to the schedule 40 pipe being more rigid, and sound absorbent. 3" pvc pipe is often used for systems that require a higher suction. For example, 4" pvc pipe is commonly used for radon systems that require a higher air volume moved. If your system needs a little mix of suction and air volume, check the specifications of your radon fan and know whether it’s high suction, or high flow (air volume) or both! Be careful however, choosing too wide of a PVC pipe can decrease the velocity at which the fan pulls air, affecting negative pressure drastically, not allowing your fan to preform at its full potential. Don't know what radon fan to buy? Check out our flow chart here.
At Radon Superstore, we stand behind our top of the line products and aim to provide them at the most affordable price. Our online store was specifically designed with the user in mind to make shopping for radon supplies as easy as possible. There is no need to waste time and money shopping at big named stores when you can get the same products, at a cheaper price, shipped right to your doorstep, all from the comfort of your own home. Thanks for looking!