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How to determine what pipe is for Radon Mitigation

2K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  MTN REMODEL LLC 
#1 ·
Home is in a higher radon area.
Home was built in 1999 and supposed to have a passive system installed.

Previous home owner pointed to me the 3" pipe for passive radon.

How can I actually tell if this is the radon pipe?
Basement is finished and I have no sump pump. (walk out basement on side of hill)

Any thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I was able to locate this pipe in the ceiling of the basement, based on the location in the attic.
It looks like it is running down to the floor.
The room it is in is a bedroom.

So I am guessing this would be the radon pipe?
There is a bathroom the next room over. Would it be possible it takes a turn towards the bathroom?
 
#4 ·
As MTN asked, where is it vented. The pipe should go up either the side of the house or up through the walls to the attic and then through the roof.

Where it penetrates the floor is less important as under the concrete there should be some pipes anr or a layer of gravel to allow the air under the slab to be pushed towards the vertical vent and then up and out. With a finished basement it will be hard to recognize and sealing effort that was made to seal that slab.

In the attic is where a powered fan could/would be installed if more mitigation is needed. Be sure to not confuse the passive vent with the sewer vent, both go up through the roof. Although the radon pipe on a retrofit will often be on the outside of the house.

Note, now that the passive has supposedly been in place for a some time you should retest to see if it is helping.

Bud
 
#6 · (Edited)
Well......

Put the radon fan on it..... and if you see alot of toilet paper blowing out... you probably have the wrong pipe.:wink2:





You could always use a snake camera... but that is expensive.

If up on the roof, have someone loading up your plumbing (empty bathtubs/ leave faucets on/ flush toilets) and listen to the pipe.... if plumbing, you'll likely hear it.

You could hook up your shop vac exhaust to a plumbing cleanout, and you will probably (depends on the rest of your venting) feel air flow for DWV.

I suppose a camera may be your only definitive assurance...???

EDIT: If a subdivision build... check with neighbors.... are your vent pipes all abs (black). I've only seen PVC used for radon... but that might be a regional thing.
 
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