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bairz
Feb 4, 2006, 11:20 AM
Can radon just be vented out the roof just like a soil stack vent with out use of a power fan? Any comments are welcome Thanks for your time

dmrlook
Feb 4, 2006, 11:52 AM
Can radon just be vented out the roof just like a soil stack vent with out use of a power fan? Any comments are welcome Thanks for your time

I would say probably not. A true radon venting system has a porus bulb that is placed underneath the basement slab. Then, the bulb is connected to PVC piping (typically 3 or 4 inches) that goes up through the house and out the roof. A fan is required in the system to create a negative pressure in the bulb that is under the basement slab. The negative pressure gives the radon gas an easy escape route (it takes the path of least resistance) into the radon system and out through the roof. Without the fan, I don't think the radon would have any reall pull towards the vent, and therefore would still seep through the foundation/slab and into the house.

Hope this helps!
Rob

speedball1
Feb 4, 2006, 11:53 AM
Can radon just be vented out the roof just like a soil stack vent with out use of a power fan? Any comments are welcome Thanks for your time

Continuous fans are used on radon vents to insure the movement of air out the vent. Without a fan the vent would not be nearly as effective.
Let me give you a alterative to installing a radon vent, Click on,
http://www.radonseal.com/radon-mitigation.htm
Good luck, tom

labman
Feb 4, 2006, 12:32 PM
Trust Tom. Radon is actually heavier than air and is forced up into the house. If it didn't mix with the air, it would actually sink. Only a powered vent will keep the EPA happy.