Radon fan replacement and system repair
A radon system only protects you while the fan is pulling. Here's what to watch and when to call someone.
Radon fans run nonstop for years, and every motor wears out eventually. Systems also take hits from hail and wind, from remodeling, from settling, and from Montana cold. A glance at the gauge every so often and a retest every couple of years keep the system honest.
Signs your system needs attention
- The liquid in the U-tube manometer is level on both sides
- The fan is silent, or it's rattling, buzzing or vibrating
- The system alarm is going off
- Ice is building up at the exhaust, or a pipe is cracked or loose
- Hail or wind damaged an outdoor fan or exterior pipe
- A retest shows radon back near or over 4 pCi/L
- You finished the basement, added on or changed the slab since the system went in
How long does a radon fan last?
It varies with the model, how hard the fan has to pull, and where it's mounted. Outdoor fans in Yellowstone County ride out hot summers, subzero nights and the occasional severe storm. If yours is getting old or noisy, a radon company can check whether a replacement should be the same model or one sized differently.
Should I retest with a system in place?
Yes. Montana DEQ recommends retesting at least every two years and after significant changes to the house. A short-term test is enough for a routine check.
Upgrades worth asking about
- An audible or visual alarm so you know the moment the fan stops.
- An extra suction point after an addition or a basement finish.
- Moving a loud fan or rerouting an exterior pipe that ices up.
- Sealing new cracks or replacing a leaky sump lid.
Can I swap the fan myself?
Fans are wired in and sealed into the pipe, and the wrong fan can underperform. Montana doesn't license radon work, so a homeowner isn't barred from it, but a certified mitigator can match the fan to the system and confirm the result with a test.
The radon company sets the price after it learns about your house, and usually after someone has looked at the foundation. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I read the radon gauge on my pipe?
It's the U-shaped tube with colored liquid. When the fan is running, the two sides sit at different heights. If they're even, the fan has probably stopped.
What if the exhaust ices up in winter?
Some frost at the outlet can happen in deep cold, but heavy ice that blocks the pipe or a fan that stops needs a service call. Rerouting or a different setup may solve it.
Related services
More background: Montana radon guide.
Got a radon number you don't like?
Call now and a local radon mitigation company will look at your house and quote a system.