Radon fan replacement and repair
A radon system is only as good as its fan. Here's how to tell when it's struggling and what a repair visit covers.
A radon fan runs nonstop, year after year, so it will eventually wear out. The EPA notes fans may last five years or more before they need repair or replacement. Pipe joints can also loosen, and outdoor pieces take a beating from Fargo winters and spring storms.
How do I know something is wrong?
- The liquid in the U-tube gauge sits even on both sides, meaning no suction
- The fan has gone silent, or it grinds, hums loudly or rattles the pipe
- A fan alarm or monitor is signaling a fault
- Pipe is cracked, separated, or iced over at the outlet
- A retest comes back near or above 4 pCi/L
- You've finished the basement, added on or replaced the sump since the system went in
How often should I retest?
The EPA says to retest at least every two years to be sure levels stay low, and you should glance at the gauge or alarm regularly. Retest after big remodels too. In Moorhead, your installer should have left an operation, maintenance and monitoring plan; it tells you what to check and when.
Why do outdoor parts fail here?
Warm soil gas meets subzero air at the top of an outside pipe, and the moisture can freeze. Fargo averages over 50 inches of snow a season, so drifts and ice can also bury low fans and fittings. If your fan is outside, give it a look after a deep cold snap or a blizzard.
What can a radon company do?
- Swap a failed fan for a model sized to your pipe and suction needs
- Add an alarm so a dead fan doesn't go unnoticed
- Add a suction point after a remodel or addition
- Reroute pipe that keeps freezing, or move a fan that's too loud near a bedroom
- Reseal a sump lid or cracks that have opened up
- Run a follow-up test to confirm the repair
Who's allowed to work on it?
In Moorhead, changing or installing a system in a building you don't own is MDH-licensed work, and the electrical side falls under Minnesota DLI rules. In Fargo and West Fargo, ask about NRPP certification. Test after any repair.
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
How do I read my radon gauge?
On a U-tube manometer, uneven liquid levels mean the fan is pulling. If the two sides are level, the fan may have stopped.
Should I unplug a noisy radon fan?
No. The system stops protecting you when the fan is off. Call to have it checked or replaced instead.
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.