Radon Mitigation by Adding Radon Fan (RP140) to Passive System

by Mike B.
(Rineyville, KY)

Since radon was prevalent in the area where I built my new house, I had the builder place a 3" PVC pipe into the perforated drainage pipe installed around the basement perimeter for drainage. This drainage pipe is located against footer under the basement floor. This perforated drainage pipe exits the foundation and follows a septic line for about 10-15 feet, surrounded by gravel. The other end of the PVC pipe exits the roof through the attic. I had hoped that this “passive” system with no fan might be enough to mitigate the radon level, however it was insufficient, the radon level was 5.5.

After adding an RP140c fan, as recommend by Val, the radon level was reduced to 1.4. I have a device that measures electrical usage, the cost to operate the RP140c is only $13.40 per year.