Radon fan replacement and system repair
A radon system only works while its fan is running. Here's how to spot a fan that's failing and what a service visit can fix.
A radon fan spins day and night, every day of the year. The EPA says fans may last five years or more and that manufacturer warranties tend not to go past five years, so on an older system a worn-out fan is a matter of when, not if.
What are the signs of trouble?
- The liquid on both sides of the U-tube manometer is level, meaning no suction
- The fan is silent, or it's started grinding, humming loudly or shaking the pipe
- An alarm or monitor is warning about a fault
- Pipe is cracked, pulled apart, or iced over at the top
- A retest is close to or above 4.0 pCi/L
- You finished the basement, built an addition or replaced the sump after the system went in
How often should I check it?
The EPA says to look at your warning device regularly and to retest at least every two years. It also says never to turn the fan off. A glance at the gauge when you change the furnace filter is an easy habit.
Why do outdoor parts take a beating here?
Minot averages about 42 inches of snow a season, and its record low is 49 below. Warm, wet soil gas meets frozen air at the top of an outdoor pipe, and the moisture can turn to ice. Drifts can bury a fan mounted low on a wall. If your fan is outside, check it after a hard freeze or a blizzard.
What can a radon company do on a service call?
- Replace a failed fan with one matched to your pipe size and suction needs
- Add an audible alarm so a stopped fan doesn't go unnoticed
- Reroute pipe that keeps freezing, or move a fan that's too loud near a bedroom
- Add a suction point after an addition or a basement remodel
- Reseal a sump lid or reopened cracks
- Run a follow-up test after the repair
I bought a house with a system. Where do I start?
Find the gauge and see whether it shows suction. Ask the seller for any paperwork from the installer and the last test result. If there's nothing, a fresh test tells you whether the system is still doing its job.
We don't give prices. Each radon company sets its own after it knows the foundation, how many suction points the house may need and where the pipe can run, which usually means a visit. A figure you hear over the phone is a rough idea, not a quote.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I read a radon manometer?
On a U-tube gauge, liquid that sits higher on one side means the fan is pulling. If both sides are even, the fan may have stopped.
Can I unplug a loud radon fan?
No. The EPA says not to turn the fan off. A stopped fan means no protection. Have it checked or replaced.
Related services
More background: Minot radon guide.
Radon kit came back high, or your fan went quiet?
Call and we'll put you in touch with a radon company that works in the Minot area.