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Frozen Radon Mitigation System

7K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  SkiRev 
#1 ·
I recently had a radon system installed in my newly purchased house. The exhaust pipe exits the rear of the house above grade as it is a walk out basement. Upon exit there is a 90 degree elbow and the pipe runs horizontally along the outside of the house for about 15'. At this point there is another 90 degree elbow, then the ventilation fan then the pipe continues straight up above the roofline.

The system has frozen up twice in the last month with this cold weather. It's seems the horizontal pipe on the outside is full of water. I was curious if it is normal for radon systems to freeze? I would suspect the warm air from inside the house would cause condensation in the pipe, but is it enough to fill a 3-4" pipe with water?
 
#2 ·
I too have a mitigation system and water will collect in the pipe from condensation. Normally when the install the pipe into the basement floor the pipe has weep holes to allow the water to drain out. Mine does not have weep holes and when the water collects you can hear it slushing
around. I have not fixed it since I have radiant in floor heat in my basement and did not want to break one of the lines.
Mine seems to collect on the inside, sounds like you have one too many 90's...
 
#8 ·
Greenstang,First off I am a certified Radon Mitigator in Pa. I would first ask why there is a 15' run off horizontal pipe, second is there a "Drain to ground" fitting just above the fan where it would allow the water to pass though the fan and back to ground! Third, and most impotantly, did a CERTIFIED RADON MITIGATOR install the system! Too many times a friend or a plumber says they "know" how to install, but the truth is they dont know how and is very illegal for them to do it, unless they are "CERTIFIED" through the state of Pa D.E.P. Puttingt an inline tee before the fan will result in system not pulling the radon out of your home!!! Systems are designed to pull moisture from below the concrete, thus the ice and water build up. However being a certified mitigator, there is a formula for the fan sizing to be properly fitted for your home, which if not done properly could lead to other serios problems, not just water in the pipe! First one would be back drafting of flue gases from your heat source!
 
#9 ·
Skirev,

The easy explanation as to why there is 15' of horizontal pipe is the basement is finished and where the pipe exits there would have had to be five 90 degree elbows if the pipe were to go straight up upon exit bc of floor and soffit overhangs. I do not believe there is a drain after the fan. Yes it was installed by a certified radon mitigator. I will send yiu a pm tonigh after I check if there is a drain. Thanks!
 
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