Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,352

    Default Radon Mitigation

    Is it customary to have a rain cap on top of the radon vent line?
    Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen any type of radon mitigation system in my area in eight years of inspection.

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Inspection Referral
    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    Around here they generally have an elbow at the top.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  3. #3
    Hector Acevedo's Avatar
    Hector Acevedo Guest

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    I'm not sure if a vent cap is needed or not. Try looking in the IRC appendix F. Look at section AF103.5.3 Vent Pipe. Vent pipe must terminate 12" above the roof. Termination point must be at least 10' from any building opening. Don't know if that helps. Don't see any requirement for a cap.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Robinson View Post
    Is it customary to have a rain cap on top of the radon vent line?
    Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen any type of radon mitigation system in my area in eight years of inspection.
    Nope, it is not needed. Any water that gets into the pipe will drain out in the pit that the pipe is sitting in.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    ditto what Scott said.


  6. #6
    Eric Williams's Avatar
    Eric Williams Guest

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    No use of elbows around here.
    Note: This install may be newer. Often times the inside of the pvc pipe is full of mold.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Succasunna NJ
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Patterson View Post
    Any water that gets into the pipe will drain out in the pit that the pipe is sitting in.
    If the system is operational, how does the water get past the fan?

    Darren www.aboutthehouseinspections.com
    'Whizzing & pasting & pooting through the day (Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!) (FZ)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,352

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    That's what I was wondering as well. Maybe the fan is waterproof or the motor is enclosed? The diagrams I found online did not have a rain cap as part of it. I don't see what it would hurt to have one, though.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Succasunna NJ
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    I have a system in my house. There is no cap or elbow installed.
    Every year for several weeks I turn the fan off and run my monitor just to see what the level is without the fan running.

    When I turn the fan back on, I can hear the fan/air pushing the rainwater back out (there is a horizontal section of pipe where the water lays).
    From this, I can assume the air flow keeps the water out of the pipe when the fan is operational.

    Darren www.aboutthehouseinspections.com
    'Whizzing & pasting & pooting through the day (Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!) (FZ)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    The most common fan used is by Fantech and they have drains built into the fan housing so that water can drain if it get trapped. Most of water that is in a radon system is from condensation and not rainwater. the fan is pulling up cool air from under the foundation and then pushing it up into the warm pipe and we have condensation!

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts
    1,217

    Default Re: Radon Mitigation

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Patterson View Post
    the fan is pulling up cool air from under the foundation and then pushing it up into the warm pipe and we have condensation!
    Scott, condensation normally occurs when warm, moist air hits a cool surface. A cool surface has a lower dew point than a warm surface.

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •