Radon Mitigation: Hidden Fan Option | Protech Environmental

Construction details for a retrofit system with interior piping. Fan is in kneewall of garage attic, exhaust through roof.

This system uses the “draintile” as the radon collector. The sump is sealed to create the airtight chamber, and the vacuum pipe (on the left) runs from the sump up the basement wall.

It then goes through the rim joist into the garage. A little curlicue was required to avoid a plumbing line (faucet visible next photo).

Inside the garage, the red firecollar protects the opening where the pipe penetrates the fire barrier. If there is ever a fire in the garage, tumescent material in the collar will expand, restoring the barrier. To the right of our pipe is the faucet.

The system exits through the roof, just below the metallic flue. Practically invisible, especially in this photo.

Have A Question About Radon Treatment?

Sarah Worsham a year ago

Super quick and efficient service of installing a radon mitigation system in the house we were selling. The installers were very knowledgeable and explained the system and the information to pass on to the buyer's. Definitely would recommend.

By regulation, radon fans must be located outside of the conditioned space of the home.

The regulation stipulates that the exhaust must extend above the roofline. The idea is to keep the exhaust gas from coming back into the house or impinging on patios, walkways, play areas, etc. There are three basic requirements: The exhaust must be

(a) at least ten feet off the ground,
(b) above the eave (not necessarily the edge) of the roof, and
(c) either ten feet away from, or two feet above, windows.

As long as the system is running, the air exiting the pipe keeps rain and bugs out. The system exhaust must be vertical, and upward. The rest of the system is designed so that it pitches back down toward the suction point, so that any water in the system drains back into the soil. Caps and other diverters can cause freeze-up problems from condensation when it’s cold out. Did you know: radon systems can expel hundreds of gallons of water vapor each year?

PVC piping is the most suitable material for the job. Metal downspouts are not intended to be used for gas exhaust applications, and the joints cannot be permanently sealed (they require frequent re-sealing). Downspouts also tend to ice up in the winter, disabling the system just when you need it the most.

Our standard sump covers are transparent, so you can shine a flash light into the sump pit to verify that the sump is working.