Do you really believe that all radon systems are silent? Is there a whirring or whooshing noise coming from your radon system? You have an old system is probably that is in need of replacement or maintenance. In most cases, the lifespan of a radon fan is between 5 and 10 years.
Once a fan reaches that age, you need to replace it. The EPA reports that these fans last about 5 years. Checking the fan health will help you sleep easier knowing that your radon levels are under control. It’s not easy for a regular person to replace or examine. You should hire a licensed contractor – like us at Atlantic Radon.
Regular radon mitigation system sounds
There are two common everyday sounds that you need to note. Nothing to be concerned about here, they are just Regular airflow noise and vibrational equipment noise.
These sounds are usually mild and don’t exceed the volume of the blowing wind. The noise that you hear is in proportion to the air pressure on the system.
When water or ice moves around with the fan blades, you hear a normal noise. As a rule, this is the case during the winter and monsoon seasons. These sounds should not alarm you.
Audible red flags in Radon mitigation systems
However, there are sounds that should indicate otherwise. Determine what to do next by learning more about them and making an effort to spot them in your system.
Fan vibration
Extreme vibration of the fan can cause significant noise. Strange noises can be produced by a fan due to faulty wiring or wattage fluctuations. You can either switch to a fan that is less noisy and more stable, or you can check to see if your current fan is too old and needs to be replaced.
Fan motor noise
At times, the fan motor may make some noise. Again, this sound has the potential to cause anxiety. Whenever the blades of the fan are out of sync with one another, this will occur. The solution is to put some distance between the moving parts of the fans, the pipes, and the other parts of the building.
Airflow noise
When you’ve large volumes of air through the system, you will hear an unacceptable amount of noise. Because of the additional load, the system may fail and make noises if subjected to a sudden influx of air. The system may also experience additional stress placed on its pipes, and its efficiency may decrease.
Is there anything you can do to quiet things down?
The radon system produces two types of noise: airflow and vibration. Consider the following factors to reduce background noise:
- The volume of cubic feet per minute (cubic feet of air per minute)
- The amount of air going through the system is directly proportional to the pipe’s diameter. The recommended ceiling for air velocity is 700 feet per minute (feet per minute).
- When too much air goes through a pipe, it causes excessive noise and back pressure. Best practices dictate that a 3″ pipe shouldn’t handle more than 34 CFM of air flow, after which the system becomes too loud and inefficient to be useful.
- Too much airflow through a 4″ pipe results in just as much noise as a 6″ pipe. To prevent unwanted noise and maximize radon abatement, it’s crucial that the pipe be properly sized.
If your radon mitigation system makes too much noise, you can just:
Replace the fan
The typical lifespan of a radon fan is between 5 and 10 years. If yours has lasted longer than that, it’s probably time to replace it. A broken fan is a waste of space in the system and won’t do anything to keep it running.
Substitute or optimize the piping
There are numerous pipe configurations available for radon reduction systems. All of them are rated for a specific weight capacity. Too much commotion can result from a contractor’s shoddy work when he or she uses a smaller diameter pipe than is necessary. A replacement is required for optimal performance.
Contact your radon mitigation company
Installing four anti-vibration limiting rubber couplings instead of two. This is one way to lessen vibration transfer back into the building. To reduce the amount of vibration transmitted back into the building, the rubber should be wrapped around each fastener. This will support the exhaust.
Removing dust and debris from the fan blades is another good way to maintain balance and prevent unwanted vibrations. A properly installed system with pipes of a larger diameter will ensure a peaceful night’s sleep.
If you can’t deal with the noise and are at a loss for how to respond. If you need help with radon, it is best to contact a professional who specializes in the issue.
