Comments for Radon Specialists of WI Inc.Radon Specialists of WI Inc. http://www.newiradonspecialist.com Healthy Homes - Healthy People Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:16:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Unbelievable Day by David Daniels http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/unbelievable-day/#comment-479 David Daniels Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:16:36 +0000 http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/?p=733#comment-479 We normally do not insulate a pipe to keep it from freezing up in the garage. Its never happened. What's important is that if there is any horizontal run in the garage or attic that the pipe is pitched properly, at least 1/4" per foot. That way with any condensation it will flow down towards the suction point. We have insulated pipe in garages though where it condensates on the outside of the pipe in hot humid weather. We've noticed if the home owner likes to leave their overhead door open a lot the pipes tend to have more condensation which will cause water to drip at the bottom of the pipe at the wall. Also mold can start to form on the pipe, which can just be wiped off. We normally do not insulate a pipe to keep it from freezing up in the garage. Its never happened. What’s important is that if there is any horizontal run in the garage or attic that the pipe is pitched properly, at least 1/4″ per foot. That way with any condensation it will flow down towards the suction point. We have insulated pipe in garages though where it condensates on the outside of the pipe in hot humid weather. We’ve noticed if the home owner likes to leave their overhead door open a lot the pipes tend to have more condensation which will cause water to drip at the bottom of the pipe at the wall. Also mold can start to form on the pipe, which can just be wiped off.

]]> Comment on Unbelievable Day by Bob Smith http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/unbelievable-day/#comment-475 Bob Smith Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:00:21 +0000 http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/?p=733#comment-475 David, Thank you for your website! I have read almost all of it and have learned a great deal. Your website performs a great service to the public. I have one quick question that I didn't find in the FAQ section. I recently bought a home that was built 5 years ago. It has an active radon system installed. The test results were good (1.6) and everything looks like it was installed well based on what I learned on your site. However, the inspector I hired before buying the home said that the fan & pipe, which is located in an unheated attic above my garage, must be wrapped with insulation so moisture doesn't freeze in the pipe and block air flow. Is this really necessary? I live in an area with about the same weather you have in NE Wisconsin (very cold winters). The outside diameter of my pipe is about 3 1/2 inches. Do you insulate all your pipes/fans that run through unheated areas? Thanks. David,

Thank you for your website! I have read almost all of it and have learned a great deal. Your website performs a great service to the public.

I have one quick question that I didn’t find in the FAQ section. I recently bought a home that was built 5 years ago. It has an active radon system installed. The test results were good (1.6) and everything looks like it was installed well based on what I learned on your site. However, the inspector I hired before buying the home said that the fan & pipe, which is located in an unheated attic above my garage, must be wrapped with insulation so moisture doesn’t freeze in the pipe and block air flow. Is this really necessary? I live in an area with about the same weather you have in NE Wisconsin (very cold winters). The outside diameter of my pipe is about 3 1/2 inches. Do you insulate all your pipes/fans that run through unheated areas?

Thanks.

]]> Comment on Unbelievable Day by John http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/unbelievable-day/#comment-454 John Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:56:03 +0000 http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/?p=733#comment-454 I had a system like this and had to pay to get it replaced when I sold my home last year. I should not have had to pay for this. It was not my fault the system was not installed right. Beware, check out contractors credentials, know what you are getting for your money. Don't take the lowest bid at face value or you will get what you pay for. Plus I wonder. When you get the cheapest system, how motivated is that company to stand behind their system? Bet they would never show up if something went wrong, or they would want to charge an outrageous price to come fix it. I had a system like this and had to pay to get it replaced when I sold my home last year. I should not have had to pay for this. It was not my fault the system was not installed right. Beware, check out contractors credentials, know what you are getting for your money. Don’t take the lowest bid at face value or you will get what you pay for. Plus I wonder. When you get the cheapest system, how motivated is that company to stand behind their system? Bet they would never show up if something went wrong, or they would want to charge an outrageous price to come fix it.

]]> Comment on Unbelievable Day by David Daniels http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/unbelievable-day/#comment-441 David Daniels Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:06:00 +0000 http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/?p=733#comment-441 Good question, and a common misunderstood item with Radon systems. With a Radon system the vent needs to be above the lowest roof line or the discharge needs to be above the lowest eave, not the highest peak. Each system in our pictures meet this requirement. With gable end installs you can be above the roof line without having to run the pipe all the way up the side of the home where the system is. Doing this would serve no purpose. You can draw an imaginary line from the roof line in front or back, and around the house to be above the roof line. You still have to be a minimum of 10' above grade and 2' above openings or 10' from them. If the vent pipe will be very close to the soffit & vent then you will want to extend the pipe past the facia to make sure you are not blowing moist air and Radon directly into the attic. Some states are regulated, ours (WI) is not. For instance in IL you do have to be above the highest peak. In regulated states their laws superseed the EPA's guidlines. It would be nice if the EPA would regulate this nationaly. That way everyone could be assured they are having their system installed properly. Good question, and a common misunderstood item with Radon systems. With a Radon system the vent needs to be above the lowest roof line or the discharge needs to be above the lowest eave, not the highest peak. Each system in our pictures meet this requirement. With gable end installs you can be above the roof line without having to run the pipe all the way up the side of the home where the system is. Doing this would serve no purpose. You can draw an imaginary line from the roof line in front or back, and around the house to be above the roof line. You still have to be a minimum of 10′ above grade and 2′ above openings or 10′ from them. If the vent pipe will be very close to the soffit & vent then you will want to extend the pipe past the facia to make sure you are not blowing moist air and Radon directly into the attic. Some states are regulated, ours (WI) is not. For instance in IL you do have to be above the highest peak. In regulated states their laws superseed the EPA’s guidlines. It would be nice if the EPA would regulate this nationaly. That way everyone could be assured they are having their system installed properly.

]]> Comment on Unbelievable Day by Kenneth http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/unbelievable-day/#comment-439 Kenneth Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:06:56 +0000 http://www.newiradonspecialist.com/?p=733#comment-439 Hi David, Quick question, In reading EPA papers, guidelines require all Radon systems exhaust above the roof (shingles). There are pictures of I think three outside systems (in your gallery) that do not have the exhaust ending above the roof. I'm doing my research on Radon systems, and area contractors, can you help me understand why these systems do not follow protocol? Hi David,

Quick question,

In reading EPA papers, guidelines require all Radon systems exhaust above the roof (shingles). There are pictures of I think three outside systems (in your gallery) that do not have the exhaust ending above the roof. I’m doing my research on Radon systems, and area contractors, can you help me understand why these systems do not follow protocol?

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