Frequently Asked Questions
What types of soils does the RadonWell® work in?
The RadonWell® will work in any soil a sub-slab system will work in. We’ve installed it in damp silt, dense clay, as well as soil with sizable rocks mixed throughout due to river and flood deposits. In looser soil types, it’s important to smoke test the disturbed area above the RadonWell®. If the smoke is being pulled into the ground, pour a thin layer of concrete (rat slab) over the top of it and a few inches beyond where you dug into the ground.
How would a RadonWell® work in very tight soil conditions?
Just as tight soil underneath concrete slabs generally requires larger suction points or higher suction fans, the RadonWell® can have additional layers (courses) added onto it to increase the size of the suction point. It’s important to understand that in all cases, the soil will be dried out over time by the airflow created by the fan. This will improve the Pressure Field Extension and effectiveness of the mitigation system.
How deep should the RadonWell® be buried?
It’s recommended that the top of the RadonWell® be placed 12”-14” below the surface. If there are foundational separations in the crawlspace be sure to make sure the RadonWell® is below the bottom of the footer. That way, depending on the soil, you should be able to abate the entire crawlspace with one RadonWell®.
Is the RadonWell® only designed for tight crawlspaces?
No at all. The RadonWell® is used in every crawlspace regardless of the headroom. We’ve installed a RadonWell® in crawlspaces where the floor joists were inches from the ground, and others where the floor joists were 15 feet above the ground. The magic of the RadonWell® is appreciated in crawlspaces where encapsulation is impossible. The more headroom there is, the faster the RadonWell® can be installed.
What size crawlspace can a one-course RadonWell® abate?
The largest crawlspace we’ve installed a single RadonWell® in was approximately 1,800 sqft. We successfully installed a RadonWell® outside a crawl space, near the foundation, of a 2,200 sqft crawl space
When would I use multiple RadonWells®?
Multiple RadonWells® are recommended in complex foundation footprints within a single crawlspace. Please call us with the details of any project where you are questioning the application of a RadonWell®. The chances are very good that we’ve already experienced a similar installation.
How does the RadonWell® work with multiple crawlspace chambers?
Bury one RadonWell® near the center of the crawlspace and make sure it’s below the footing of the foundational separations. Doing that should provide good results with just one RadonWell®. Be sure there’s no pressure loss above the RadonWell®
How well does the RadonWell® work with a slab and a crawlspace?
We run into that type of construction all the time. If the crawlspace is below the slab, or level to it, bury the RadonWell® in the crawl space and bury it below the footing. That will abate the crawlspace and the slab.
Is a vapor barrier needed with a RadonWell®?
No, but it depends on the soil. If there are large fissures in the ground they should be covered or filled with dirt. Just like with a sub-slab system, you’ll want to prevent suction loss. If there’s an existing vapor barrier, leave it in. A vapor barrier will only help the system. If you do lay plastic out, you only have to cut it in: no encapsulation required.
What fan is used with a RadonWell®?
You’d size the fan just like you would a sub-slab system. We’ve used fans that pull 2″ WC and Eagle Extremes and GX5’s. It all depends on the soil you’re pulling through.
Does the Radonwell® also remove moisture from the crawlspace?
In addition to radon, VOCs, methane, and other soil gases, the RadonWell® removes an enormous amount of moisture from the crawlspace ground. We’ve measured the moisture content from crawlspaces with very dry soil, which still showed about 4 gallons of water a day coming out of the vent pipe. We’ve measured moist soils at nearly 40 gallons of moisture a day.
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