Existing System
Radon System Not Working?
Radon fans run around the clock and most last 5–10 years. If yours is loud, dead, or the manometer sits level, your home may not have been protected for a while. Get quotes from certified mitigators for repair, fan replacement and re-testing.
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Check your manometer first — it takes ten seconds
Find the small clear U-shaped tube attached to your radon pipe, usually in the basement or garage.
- Liquid at different heights — the fan is pulling. The system has suction.
- Liquid level on both sides — there is no suction. The fan has failed, or a pipe is blocked or disconnected.
Suction alone does not prove your levels are safe. A system can run and still leave you above 4 pCi/L, which is why re-testing matters after any repair.
Signs your radon system needs attention
- The manometer reads level, or you have never noticed it move
- The fan has become loud, is vibrating, or has changed pitch
- The fan is silent and the pipe is not warm to the touch
- The system is more than 8–10 years old and has never been serviced
- A recent test came back at or above 4 pCi/L despite having a system
- You bought the home with a system already installed and have never tested
- Visible cracks, disconnected piping, or failed sealing at the suction point
What a repair visit usually involves
A certified mitigator will check suction at the manometer, inspect the fan and piping, confirm the suction point is still sealed, and identify whether the fault is the fan itself or the system around it. If the fan is the problem it is normally replaced the same visit. Expect a follow-up radon test afterwards to confirm the repair actually brought levels down.
Why a failed system is worse than no system
A house with no radon system prompts caution — people test. A house with a dead system looks protected, so nobody thinks to check. Levels can sit above the action level for years while the pipe on the outside wall suggests everything is handled. If you have a system and cannot remember your last test, that is the reason to look now.
Common questions
How long does a radon fan last?
Most radon mitigation fans are rated for 5 to 10 years of continuous operation. They run 24 hours a day, so a fan installed a decade ago is at or past the end of its service life. Many homeowners never realise theirs has failed, because a dead fan is silent and the system looks unchanged from the outside.
How do I know if my radon system is still working?
Check the manometer — the small U-shaped gauge on the pipe. If the liquid sits at the same level on both sides, there is no suction and the system is not working. If the two sides are at different heights, the fan is pulling. The only way to confirm your actual radon level, though, is to re-test.
Why is my radon fan so loud?
Increasing noise, vibration or a humming that changed pitch usually means the fan bearings are wearing out. It is a warning that failure is coming rather than an emergency, but a noisy fan is worth replacing before it stops entirely and your levels climb without you knowing.
How much does radon fan replacement cost?
Replacing the fan alone is typically far cheaper than a whole new system, since the piping, sealing and routing are already in place. Costs vary by fan size and how accessible the mounting is. Repairs to piping, seals or the suction point are usually priced separately.
Should I repair the old system or install a new one?
If the pipework was correctly installed and only the fan has failed, replacing the fan is usually the sensible route. A new system tends to make sense when the original was undersized, poorly routed, installed without a manometer, or is no longer reducing levels below 4 pCi/L even with a working fan.
Do I need to re-test after a repair?
Yes. A repair that looks correct can still leave levels above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Re-testing after the work is the only way to know the system is actually protecting you, and a certified mitigator should expect to do it.
Looking for something else? Browse certified mitigators by state, interpret a test result, or get help with a commercial building.