Expert Technical Support for Everything Radon

Our trained technical support team is led by our own “Radon Rick”, a licensed and certified mitigator and electrician. Rick Saulen has been working with us and our customers for over 25 years, answering questions about products, diagnostics, vapor intrusion and radon system design, large building requirements, and much more.

Technical Tip: Installing Vapor Barrier

Crawlspaces are often low in height, dark, and dank; in other words, not a place where you want to stay unnecessarily long. After you choose a barrier in compliance with appropriate standards and local requirements for barrier density, you probably cut the barrier material to the correct size before you start. When you’re measuring, don’t forget the allowance for overlap and support columns. The barrier knife on the next page works well with most materials, but you will probably also want to have a good pair of 9” titanium scissors to easily cut even the thickest, toughest barriers. Then, before taking the barrier into the crawlspace, minimize your work within the crawlspace by flattening out the barrier with the side you want showing face up and fold in the sides for ease of install. Shop Vapor Barrier

Technical Tip: Fan Sound Ratings

In general, sound ratings are not required for remote-mounted inline fans because little or no sound is heard in the space they are ventilating. Some states qualify the requirement by adding a minimum duct length. California, for example, requires at least 4 feet of duct between the closest pickup grille and the fan.  Shop Inline Fans

Technical Tip: Anti-Vibration Hardware

Before RadonAway® fans are built, each motor is tested for noise and vibration. Once assembled, they are performance tested again to ensure they are as quiet and vibration-free as possible. Any vibration after installation is often the result of the installation and not the fan itself.

Our anti-vibration products match all of our pipe clamp offerings and will help reduce system vibration. 
Shop Anti-Vibration Hardware.

Technical Tip: Backer Rod

Is there a mitigator anywhere who has not used backer rod for crack repair? For the new mitigator as well as the “old pro” the installation of backer rod seems routine. But is it? Here’s a quick review on the best way to use this easy-to-compress, rope-like foam.  Shop Backer Rod.

• If the crack is long, it’s better to buy and use a 100-ft length (if available in the correct size) than 6-ft lengths.
• Use backer rod that is slightly larger than the width of the crack.
• To get started, push the end of the backer rod into the crack. Do not use a sharp object, as this will damage the backer rod. Then pull and stretch in the direction of the crack and press it in place.
• If the crack is very wide, use half round backer rod with the flat side of top, which makes it self-leveling.

Technical Tip: Yes, that Coupling Is the Right Size!

As you can see in our Flex Coupling Sizing Chart, when using these couplings for radon fan installation, sizing is not an exact science. For example, the 6 x 6 and 6 x 8 couplings can sometimes be smaller, causing
mitigators to call us to say we shipped the wrong size to them. What to do when trying to get these to fit?

• Put the coupling on the fan before putting it on the pipe. It’s better to shoehorn the tighter end on first.
• Lubricate the inside of the coupling or outside of the fan vent with a small amount of dish or hand soap.
• Warm the coupling near a heat source (vehicle heater, hair dryer or heat gun, for example). DO NOT over heat and over-soften the coupling.

We find it helpful to take a warmed coupling and the fan, sit in a warm spot, and gradually push the coupling on, rotating as you work it onto the fan vent.  Shop Couplings.

Technical Tip: Why Install A Bypass?

All RadonAway® fan motors are water-hardened against moisture, but in some locations and weather conditions, you might choose to install a condensate bypass on your exterior ASD systems to minimize potential fan damage by bypassing the flow of exhaust pipe condensation. The bypass used with a RadonAway® transition fitting, which saves installation time and provides a finished look.
Shop Condensate Bypass Kits.

Technical Tip: Finding Radon "Hot Spots"

The success of a tough mitigation often depends on finding the “hot spots" – the major sources of radon entry. Our unique RadStar GM 1-2, a two-in-one grab-sampling device and micro manometer, helps take the guesswork out of
identifying those sources. Shop RadStar GM 1-2

Technical Tip: Stacking Fans

“What happens if I stack one fan on top of the other?” This is a question we hear often. Mounting two fans in a series will certainly affect the performance of the overall system, but it may also affect the service life of the fans. In general, the static capability of two fans is doubled, however, the airflow remains about the same. Stacking fans can be useful in dealing with very tight subsoils, but BEWARE that the heat generated by the upstream fan is discharged into the downstream fan, which may cause the fan to run hot and reduce the service life of the fan. If you do stack fans, ensure that you provide adequate airflow through the fan to keep the bearings and the motor windings cool to avoid customer complaints and warranty problems.

Technical Tip: Why Use BLU-MOL®?

Blu-Mol® hole saws and accessories represent the contractor’s choice for a workhorse product line. Combining value and product integrity, they are designed and built to provide aggressive cutting and boring. The bi-metal hole saws provide shock-resistant teeth, resisting tooth strippage and allowing for fast, smooth cuts and less vibration. The reciprocating saw blades are made for quick, accurate cutting of materials including wood, metal and plastic.
Shop BLU-MOL Products

Technical Tip: AIRaider™ / Clearadon® Service

All water filtration systems, including our AIRaider™ and Clearadon® systems require regular service to keep the system clean and working to its maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Unlike a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) system, an AIRaider or CLEARADON water aeration system does not require the handling and removal of potentially hazardous materials. Provide annual service (or schedule more frequently, as determined by the first six-month service call). Shop AIRaiders.  During the service:

• Check all the vital functions of the unit.
• Provide a thorough cleaning and chlorination.
• Flush the entire system as necessary.
• Change pre-filtration filters.

Technical Tip: Installing Vapor Barrier

Crawlspaces are often low in height, dark, and dank; in other words, not a place where you want to stay unnecessarily long. After you choose a barrier in compliance with appropriate standards and local requirements for barrier density, you probably cut the barrier material to the correct size before you start. When you’re measuring, don’t forget the allowance for overlap and support columns. The barrier knife on the next page works well with most materials, but you will probably also want to have a good pair of 9” titanium scissors to easily cut even the thickest, toughest barriers. Then, before taking the barrier into the crawlspace, minimize your work within the crawlspace by flattening out the barrier with the side you want showing face up and fold in the sides for ease of install. Shop Vapor Barrier

Technical Tip: System Monitors

Why does RadonAway® offer several different types of radon system monitors, ranging from U-tubes to alarms? One size does not necessarily fit all. Technically, not all of the monitors/alarms we sell are system monitors. Here’s a quick rundown:

• U-tube Manometer: Used in millions of homes to monitor vacuum pressure; meets mitigation standards; inexpensive and easy to install.
• Checkpoint IIA and IIAR: Preset to activate at .25”WC vacuum pressure; audible alarm and LED lights are preferred by some homeowners.
• RadonAway Air Flow Alarm: Monitors air flow and alerts homeowner to low or no air flow with an audible buzzer and flashing red LED light.
• The RadonAway RSA1 Radon System Alarm is a vacuum monitoring device utilizing piezoresistive pressure sensor (PPS) technology. This alarm provides audible and visual indication to alert the homeowner when the radon system is not moving sufficient air. Patent pending. Shop System Alarms & Monitors