Ownership
Existing Radon System Maintenance Checklist
A radon system needs very little from a homeowner, but it does need attention. Most of the work is observation: knowing what the system looked like when it was working, and noticing when something differs.
The checklist
| Item | What to look for | If something looks wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | Running continuously; no new noise, rattle or vibration. | Do not disconnect it — request an evaluation. |
| System monitor / manometer | Fluid levels offset as they were originally; note the normal position. | A level reading generally means no suction. Have it assessed. |
| Piping | Intact, supported, no cracks, no disconnected joints, no crushed sections. | Do not patch with tape; have the run inspected. |
| Exhaust | Clear termination above the roofline; no nests, debris or ice obstruction. | Have it cleared professionally rather than from a ladder. |
| Seals | Sealant at the suction point and around penetrations intact. | Deteriorated sealant is a common cause of lost suction. |
| Sump cover | Sealed and gasketed, penetrations sealed, pump still serviceable. | Reseal properly rather than improvising after service work. |
| Crawl space membrane | No tears, seams still sealed, still attached at walls and piers. | Repair with compatible materials, or have it repaired. |
| System labels | Present and legible so future owners and trades understand the system. | Ask your contractor to re-label if missing. |
| Documentation | Installation records, warranty terms, and every radon test result. | Rebuild the file — it matters at resale. |
| Periodic radon testing | A current measurement, not just a running fan. | Retest and compare against your post-mitigation baseline. |
After any work on the house
Certain projects interact with a radon system even when they seem unrelated. Retesting after them is the cheapest insurance available:
- Foundation, slab or drainage work.
- Finishing a basement or adding a room.
- Replacing HVAC equipment or significantly changing ventilation.
- Air sealing or insulation work that tightens the building envelope.
- Sump pump replacement, which usually means the cover was removed.
- Roof work near the exhaust termination.
How often to retest
We do not publish a universal maintenance or retesting interval. Follow the interval in current official guidance and in your installer's documentation, and retest whenever the building, the system or the way the home is used changes.
Source: US EPA — A Citizen's Guide to Radon · United States · guidance · Last verified: verification date not recorded
Source: Pennsylvania DEP — Radon Division · Pennsylvania · guidance · Last verified: verification date not recorded
What homeowners should not do
- Turn the fan off to reduce noise or save electricity.
- Cap, restrict or reroute piping.
- Remove a sealed sump cover and leave it off.
- Seal a crawl space membrane opening with unsuitable materials.
- Assume a running fan means the radon level is acceptable.
Request a system check from a radon professional
Share your test result, foundation type and project details. We pass your request to independent radon professionals — we do not perform the work ourselves.