Reading the UTube of a Radon Mitigation System

Curt Drew, President of National Radon Defense, demonstrates how to read the UTube and understand what may need correcting if the reading changes.

[@thielees]

The “U-tube” gauge… I see what you did there!

[@kurchak]

Just came to make this same post hahaha. I was like "KZbin gauge... nice" lol

[@Jitom7]

So if the manometer is reading a high suction of 4 then its restricted. Mine happens to be that way currently (brand new system) but the earth below the slab is packed sort of moist dirt and not loose stone due to the age of the slab so how do u correct this as u don't mention anything about solving that issue. Seems to me u are limited in corrective action because the earth under that slab is just not good pourous breathable material and u have limited options. I'd love for people with radon installation experience to weigh in on this. I know the system works being it went down from 5.5 Pcl to 0.4 but is the fan working too hard in this case?

[@m.s.dickerson3139]

I have the same issue when I installed a fan on our passive radon piping under the slab. But since the slab is very sealed, and the dirt below the pea gravel layer which the pipes reside in, I get a very high water column and hi radon. So I am going to ventilate the pea gravel hoping to increase the air flow under the slab. Anyone with thoughts?

[@kittenaroni]

Thank you for this video! It was very helpful :]

[@Simmymind360]

Hi mate.my reading is down to a level 0-0 on the u shape tube.i went outside and low and behold ice on the outside pipe ,so i guess a ice jam.my question to you ,how do i deal with the icejam as its been -12 temps its winter here of course in South Dakota. Thank you for any advice.

[@Jitom7]

Just a thought but if u have pipe running through varying climates in the home and outside it could be creating condensation from temp differences and causing that to freeze up. Wrapping the pipe exposed to colder temps in insulation can help reduce this issue. It may also be pulling a lot of moisture from under the slab if it gets wet under your foundation and lastly u could have moisture coming down through the top of the pipe that's outside when it rains if u don't have a strong enough air flow to deflect the rain. Tough to say without seeing it but I figured I could at least share those ideas to get u looking for a cause since no one else has commented. Good luck

[@medicalminute4927]

Thanks