
If your radon mitigation system has issues with ice jams, call Radon Defense Midwest about our copper defroster!

The manometer is the U-shaped gauge on the system that evaluates the performance of the system by measuring the pressure inside the pipe.
The issue of radon mitigation systems temporarily clogging due to ice forming in the vent pipe of the radon fan is very common in the winter of cold weather climates. The very nature of a radon system pulling damp air from under structural concrete slabs and crawlspace liners creates this issue.
Radon travels up into a home from deep in the soil, and radon mitigation systems operate continuously, actively drawing radon gas from under concrete slabs, sump pit basins, and crawlspace liners. Moisture vapor and other soil gases also travel up through a radon system since both are present in the soil.
There are many benefits to radon systems pulling the moisture vapor and soil gases out from under a building, like lower relative humidity, reduced odors, and cleaner air. The only downside of a radon system drawing out moisture vapor is the potential for ice jams in cold winter months.
The vapor travels up and exits out into the atmosphere through the vent pipe of a radon system. As the vapor meets the cold air, it’s typical to have condensation form and drip back down. The fan running continuously transfers that liquid condensation back into moisture vapor and sends the moisture back up the vent pipe. The condensation inside the vent pipe cannot be avoided, regardless of the weather, and can then form into ice inside the pipe if the temperature is consistently below freezing, as is quite common in the winter months of the northern United States and Canada.
Radon Defense Midwest has come up with a clever solution to this issue! We call it our copper defroster, and it works to transfer the condensation up and out of the vent pipe so that ice cannot form inside. Contact us if you’d like our team to install a copper defroster to prevent future ice jams from occurring.
The manometer is the U-shaped gauge on the system located around eye level on the extraction point pipe that evaluates the consistent performance of the system by measuring the pressure inside the pipe. This gauge does not measure radon.
Ideally, the liquid inside the glass should present like a ‘J’ with one side pulled up higher than the other. This indicates the radon fan is pulling air through the system properly. The initial reading of the pressure is recorded onto the system. If the reading deviates significantly, especially to above 3.5 or below 0.5, call us as it could be a sign that something has malfunctioned in the system. We will come to evaluate the system and provide service, as necessary.
When the manometer reads 0-0 flat across instead of pulled up on one side like a ‘J’, it is not measuring any pull or airflow from the radon fan. There are a couple of things to check and see if you need us to provide service for your system:
- Is the clear hose that connects the manometer to the extraction point tube bent or pinched shut or otherwise obstructed? (The clear hose is on the end of the U-shaped glass where the liquid is typically pulled up higher when the system is powered on.)
- Is there still power to the fan? Did a switch get turned off, a fuse blown, or the power source otherwise disconnected?
- If you have checked these things and the fan is not responsive, give us a call to schedule a service trip. We also have replacement Manometers available to mail to you in the event the manometer is broken or defective.