What Happens if Your Radon Mitigation System Fails? St Paul Homeowner Guide

What Your Radon System Is Designed To Do

Most homes in the Twin Cities use an active sub slab depressurization system. The basic idea is simple:

• A fan pulls air from beneath your slab or from a drain tile system
  
  
• Radon gas and other soil gases are carried up through PVC piping
  
  
• The gases are exhausted above the roofline where they safely disperse
  
  

Radon itself is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when people breathe elevated levels over many years. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking.

When your system is working, indoor radon levels drop well below your original test number, often to between 1 and 2 pCi/L or lower.

What Happens When Your Radon System Stops Working

When the fan fails or the system is compromised, the protection it offers slowly breaks down.



Radon Levels Rise Again

As the system stops pulling radon from under the home, the gas finds its way back inside through:

• Cracks in the slab or foundation
  
  
• Gaps around sump pits and utility penetrations
  
  
• Openings in crawlspaces
  
  

Over time, your radon levels tend to move back toward your pre mitigation level. In some seasons, especially winter when homes are closed up tight, levels can climb even higher than original readings.

Long Term Health Risk Increases

Radon’s danger is cumulative. The longer you live with elevated levels, the greater your risk of lung cancer.

If your system is off or underperforming for months or years, all the benefit you gained from installing it in the first place is reduced. People who spend more time at home, such as retirees, children, or those who work from home, may have the most exposure.

Warning Signs That Your St Paul Radon System May Be Failing

System failures do not always look dramatic. Often, they start as small issues that grow over time.

1. The Fan Is Not Running Normally

Take a moment when you are outside to listen near the radon fan:

• If the fan is silent, it may have failed or lost power
  
  
• If it is suddenly much louder or sounds rough, the motor could be near the end of its life
  
  

Minnesota’s cold winters and temperature swings can be hard on fan components, especially if they have been in service for many years.

2. Manometer Reading Has Changed

Most systems include a U tube manometer. This small gauge shows whether the fan is creating suction in the pipe.

• When both sides of the fluid are even, it usually means there is no pressure difference
  
  
• A reading very different from the usual baseline can also indicate a blockage or failing fan
  
  

If you do not remember what your normal reading looks like, it is a good idea to note it after your next successful radon test.

3. Your Radon Test Results Are Higher

The most important indicator is actual radon levels. If you:

• Use a continuous radon monitor and see a sustained jump in levels, or
  
  
• Do a short term test that comes back at or above 4.0 pCi/L
  
  

then it is time to investigate. EPA and public health agencies recommend taking action at or above 4.0 pCi/L, and also recommend reducing levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L when possible.

4. Visible Damage Or Changes Around The System

Look for:

• Broken, cracked, or sagging PVC vent pipe
  
  
• Damage from ice, falling snow, or impact near the fan
  
  
• Changes inside the basement, such as sump lid removed, new plumbing, or remodeling that cut into radon piping
  
  

Any of these can change how well your system works.

What To Do If You Think Your System Has Failed

If you suspect a problem, here is a practical step by step approach.

Step 1: Confirm With A Radon Test

Before assuming the worst, test:

• Place a short term test in the lowest lived in level, or
  
  
• Check your continuous monitor and verify the readings over at least a few days
  
  

BreatheWell can also perform professional testing to confirm your levels and compare them to past results.

Step 2: Reduce Exposure Until The Issue Is Fixed

While you are arranging service, it is smart to:

• Limit long stays in lower levels
  
  
• Use main or upper floors for sleeping and work if possible
  
  
• Increase ventilation for a short period by opening windows when weather allows
  
  

These steps are not permanent fixes, but they can temporarily reduce radon levels until your mitigation system is fully restored.

Step 3: Call A Qualified Radon Contractor, Not A Handyman

Radon systems must follow specific design standards to be effective and safe. Changing pipe layouts or swapping fans without proper sizing can reduce performance or even pull combustion gases from furnaces and water heaters.

A BreatheWell technician will:

• Inspect the full system from the collection point to the vent
  
  
• Test fan performance and electrical safety
  
  
• Check for building changes that may have affected airflow
  
  
• Recommend repair, fan replacement, or system upgrades if needed
  
  

We also re test after repairs, so you see in writing that your radon levels are back under control.

Protecting Your System For The Long Term

You can greatly reduce the risk of surprise failures with a simple maintenance mindset.

Consider:

• Visual checks of the fan, vent, and manometer a few times a year
  
  
• Radon testing at least every two years, or after major home changes
  
  
• A professional inspection if you add an addition, finish the basement, or install new HVAC equipment
  
  

For St Paul homeowners, building radon testing into your long term home maintenance plan is one of the highest value, lowest cost health protections you can choose.

Why St Paul Homeowners Choose BreatheWell Radon Solutions

BreatheWell Radon Solutions combines technical expertise with a clear focus on homeowner ROI:

• Custom system design for Twin Cities soil and housing types
  
  
• Careful diagnostics and troubleshooting for underperforming systems
  
  
• Clear reports and education so you understand your numbers
  
  
• Service after installation, including fan replacement and performance checks
  
  

We treat every home like we are protecting our own families, because we know radon is not just a code requirement. It is a real health issue that deserves precise, data driven solution.

Ready To Make Sure Your Radon System Is Really Working?

If you are concerned that your radon mitigation system in St Paul or the surrounding Twin Cities area is not doing its job, do not wait and hope.

Contact BreatheWell Radon Solutions today to schedule a radon test and system evaluation. We will confirm whether your existing system is performing, make any needed repairs or upgrades, and give you clear results so you can feel confident that your home’s radon risk is under control.