Radon Fan Replacement and System Maintenance in Kansas City

A radon mitigation system is one of the few things in a house that runs every minute of every day and asks nothing of you. That is also why it gets forgotten. The fan can quit and nothing in the house will tell you. Here is how to keep an eye on it without any special tools.

Check the gauge once a month

Most systems have a small U-shaped gauge on the pipe, called a manometer. It has colored liquid in two columns. When the fan is pulling, the two sides sit at different heights. If the liquid is level, the fan is not creating suction, and that is your cue to act. Make a habit of glancing at it when you change the furnace filter. Most of our Kansas City homeowners never knew the gauge was there until someone pointed it out.

Signs the fan is on its way out

• The gauge reads level. No pressure difference means no suction.
• New noise. Rattling, humming that was not there before, or a grinding sound usually points to worn bearings.
• Silence. If you can no longer hear or feel the fan running, check the switch and breaker first, then call someone.
• A fresh test comes back higher. If a retest is up from the post-install result, the system may not be pulling like it used to.

How long fans last

Radon fans are built to run continuously, and many go for years without a problem. Plenty of manufacturers back them with a multi-year warranty, so check your paperwork before you assume a replacement is on your dime. Heat in a dry attic and a lot of moisture in the pipe can both shorten the life, so a fan in an exposed spot may need attention sooner than one in a garage.

Retest on a schedule

The EPA suggests retesting at least every two years after mitigation, and again after any major renovation, a new addition, or work on the foundation or HVAC. A working fan and a good result are two separate things, and a test is the only way to confirm the second one. Our guide to radon testing in Kansas City covers the options.

If you are still weighing a first system, see how a radon mitigation system is installed and what stays on your side afterward.

Frequently asked questions