Root out radon with a long-lasting mitigation system
If a test shows that you have dangerous radon gas leaking into your home, your best option is to install a radon mitigation system. But how long does a radon mitigation system last? A 20-plus-year life span is common, but shorter life spans are possible if issues with the system occur. Because of the importance of this system in removing radon and reducing your lung cancer risk, you should keep an eye on it to watch for signs of breakdowns.
The average life span of a radon mitigation system is 20 years or more, though with proper maintenance it can last several decades. However, the system will only work when your radon fan is functioning, and the average life span of a radon fan is five to 10 years.
When the fan fails, you must replace it immediately. The alarm system might also need to be replaced after as little as five years.
The longest-lasting components in the system are the venting pipes. They usually consist of various types of PVC pipes that can last up to 100 years.
Determining whether you receive more, less, or the average of 20 years from your radon mitigation system depends on a few different factors.
A radon mitigation system is the best option if you’re wondering how to get rid of radon—as long as the installer sets it up properly. A mistake during installation can greatly shorten the system’s expected life span or can cause the system to fail to remove unhealthy radon gas.
Hiring a professional installer is the surest way to guarantee the longest life span for your unit. Who installs radon mitigation systems? A local radon remediation expert is the best person to hire for this job.
The fan in the radon mitigation system is the most delicate part and may fail far earlier than other components, such as the manometer gauge and the PVC pipe.
To give the fan the longest possible life span, you should run it continuously at a low power speed. Don’t turn the fan on and off repeatedly or run it at high speeds, or you’ll shorten its life span.
If your radon mitigation system’s fan sits in your attic because the pipe goes through the roof, it could experience widely varying temperatures during the year. Excessive heat in the attic space negatively affects a radon system fan’s life span.
Some radon mitigation system fans sit outdoors because the PVC pipe runs up the side of the house. Temperature extremes, UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles with moisture inside the fan’s housing can shorten its life span.
Radon mitigation fans installed outdoors tend to have a shorter life span than those installed in an attic.
The alarm attached to the system could wear out before other system components for a few reasons, including:
Moisture exposure
Intermittent connection to electrical power
Sudden power surge
Electrical wiring faults inside the alarm
Clogged exhaust pipe
If the alarm is repeatedly sounding in error or is giving you error codes, you should call a radon mitigation expert to test the system.
Some signs that some of your radon mitigation system’s components are nearing the end of their life span include:
The system alarm regularly sounding
Elevated radon levels detected through DIY or professional testing
A consistently low manometer reading, indicating no suction
A fan making grinding noises or vibrating excessively
A fan turning itself on and off regularly (or cycling)
Cracks, damage, or loose connections in the PVC pipe
If you suspect the radon mitigation system is not running properly, you should hire a local radon testing specialist to determine your exposure levels. If your home’s radon levels are up, the mitigation system is failing.
A radon mitigation expert could then test the radon mitigation system for you and make recommendations.
To increase the life span of your system, keep an eye on the performance of the fan because it is the component most likely to fail. Run the fan continuously at the lowest setting, rather than turning it on and off regularly.
If you’re installing a new radon mitigation system, ask the installer to try to place the fan indoors—where it receives weather protection—rather than outside.
A manufacturer warranty for a radon mitigation system should cover the fan for five years. Other components may have a different warranty period.
Some manufacturers may simply guarantee that the system will perform properly for five years or longer rather than providing a separate warranty for each component.
If you hire a radon mitigation expert to do the installation, the installer may offer a warranty or guarantee of their work for a year or longer.
The fan is the most likely component to fail in the radon mitigation system. You can replace this component without having to replace the entire system. It’s not worth trying to repair a failing fan. The radon fan replacement cost is around $350, while the average cost to replace a radon mitigation system fully is around $1,000.
You may need to replace a radon mitigation system alarm after a few years. The cost of replacing the alarm is usually about $75.
Components of a radon mitigation system that may be worth repairing instead of replacing include minor PVC pipe leaks or loose connections.
What is radon? It’s a radioactive gas that naturally occurs in the ground, forming as uranium and thorium decay. It has no color or odor, so you don’t know if it’s seeping into your building’s foundation. Regular exposure to radon gas increases your chances of suffering from lung cancer. Radon testing measures the air inside your house for the presence of radon gas. If detected, the test will measure the severity of radon levels in your home’s air.
To determine whether you have radon in your home, you must run a test. Radon gas has no odor or color, so you won’t notice a concentration of radon. You could purchase a DIY test at a local hardware store, but it may not deliver completely trustworthy results. The best way to test and receive accurate results is to hire a local radon detection specialist.
A homeowner can install a radon mitigation system on their own. But it’s a challenging DIY that requires a lot of knowledge about radon mitigation as well as familiarity with local regulations. You do not want to risk an improper installation that leaves the system unable to detect radon or gives it a shortened life span. Relying on a professional is the surest way to guarantee a successful installation.
