Radon in new homes and passive pipe upgrades
New construction can test high. If your house already has a radon pipe, turning it into a working system may be a short job.
West Fargo's population grew almost 50 percent between 2010 and 2020, and Horace and south Fargo have filled in with new subdivisions too. Many of these houses have deep, finished basements. A new foundation doesn't stop radon; the soil underneath is the same.
What is a passive radon pipe?
MDH says all new Minnesota homes have had to be built radon-resistant since 2009. The passive system includes about 4 inches of clean aggregate or a soil-gas mat under the slab, a 6-mil plastic soil-gas retarder, sealed openings and a sealed sump cover, a 3- to 4-inch PVC pipe from a tee under the slab straight up through the roof, and an electrical junction box in the attic near the pipe. In North Dakota, ask your builder whether your house got a passive pipe; look in the basement for a capped or labeled PVC pipe running up from the floor.
Can a passive pipe be made active?
Often, yes. MDH says a passive system can be upgraded by adding a fan, usually in the attic, plus a gauge such as a U-tube manometer to show it's running. In Moorhead, that upgrade on a house you don't own is MDH-licensed work and the fan's electrical work must meet DLI rules.
Should I test a brand-new house?
Yes. ND DEQ and the EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor, and MDH recommends testing every Minnesota home. A passive pipe lowers radon in some houses and not enough in others; only a test shows which yours is.
Finished basements
- If there's no passive pipe, an installer may route pipe through a utility room, closet or the garage to keep it out of living space.
- Carpet, built-ins and finished walls can hide the slab and the floor-wall joint, so tell the radon company what's finished.
- Keep the sump lid sealed after any plumbing work.
Building now?
MDH suggests asking your builder about adding the fan during construction. It's simpler while the attic is open.
We don't quote prices. The radon company prices the job after it learns your foundation type and, in most cases, looks at the house. Treat any number you hear before that as a ballpark, not a bid.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do new houses in North Dakota have radon pipes?
Some do. Ask your builder, and look for a PVC pipe rising from the basement floor. Either way, test the house.
Does a passive pipe guarantee low radon?
No. It helps in some houses and not enough in others. Test, and add a fan if the result is high.
Related services
More background: Fargo-Moorhead radon guide.
Got a radon number you don't like?
Call and we'll put you in touch with a radon company that works in Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead.