# Radon Mitigation Installation: What to Expect > From virtual estimate to install day: core drilling, pipe routing, fan install, sealing, manometer labeling, post-mitigation test and warranty. URL: https://iowaradonsystems.com/guide/radon-mitigation-installation-what-to-expect/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-10 Tags: radon mitigation installation process Decision Guide // Radon Mitigation # What to Expect on Radon Mitigation Installation Day From virtual estimate to install day: core drilling, pipe routing, fan install, sealing, manometer labeling, post-mitigation test and warranty. Updated October 10, 2026 6 min read By the Iowa Radon Systems team ![Technician core-drilling a basement slab with drop cloths laid down](https://placehold.co/1200x630/0b2545/ffffff?text=Technician+core+drilling+Iowa+basement+slab+for+radon+suction+point+with+drop+cloths+and+tools+nearby) Finding out your property has elevated radon levels is always a stressful moment. Our crews see this every day across the US, and the anxiety usually spikes when a tight real estate closing date is on the line. The good news is that fixing the problem is actually a straightforward, highly predictable construction project. Let’s walk through exactly what the radon mitigation installation process looks like step-by-step so you know exactly how to prepare your home. ## Before Install Day: The Virtual Estimate We start the process long before a truck ever pulls into your driveway. A virtual assessment saves everyone time and helps avoid surprises on the actual installation day. This remote approach to our radon mitigation service [/radon-mitigation/ →](/radon-mitigation/) requires just a few pieces of information from you. Here is exactly what we need to get started: 1. **Send clear photos.** Snap pictures of your basement, crawlspace, sump pump, and utility area. Getting a wide shot of each outside wall also helps plot the best exit route for the piping. 2. **Share your lab results.** Include the official test report if you have one. This confirms the baseline so the right fan size can be matched to your home’s specific radon burden. 3. **Review the design and cost.** You will receive a proposed suction point location, pipe route, fan placement, and a flat-rate price. Standard mitigation systems in the US currently average between $1,200 and $2,000. 4. **Book a convenient date.** There is absolutely zero pressure to commit immediately. Once you approve the quote, the team secures your spot on the calendar. ## Install Day, Step by Step The crew arrives fully briefed on the virtual design for your radon installation day. If you are wondering how long does radon mitigation take, most standard residential installations wrap up in three to five hours. Here are the core radon install steps you can expect: ### 1\. Arrival and walkthrough Properly credentialed technicians, such as those with an Iowa HHS or national NRPP certification, arrive at your door and introduce themselves. They will walk through the property with you to confirm the initial plan. This is the moment to verify the suction point, pipe route, and final fan placement. If any structural details look different in person than they did in the photos, the lead technician will discuss alternative options before any tools come out. ### 2\. Protecting your home We lay down heavy-duty canvas drop cloths along every inch of the work path to catch dust and debris. Moving furniture or stored boxes away from the suction point ensures safe access for the heavy equipment. In finished spaces, technicians take extra care to tape off work zones and protect your flooring from scratches. ### 3\. Core drilling the slab A specialized core drill cuts a 4-inch to 6-inch round hole through the concrete basement floor. Underneath that slab, the technician digs out a small pit by removing roughly five to ten gallons of gravel or soil. This suction pit helps the vacuum spread efficiently. Before finishing the final design, the crew might drill small test holes elsewhere in the slab to confirm the suction reaches far enough, a process called pressure field extension testing. ### 4\. Routing the pipe Thick-walled Schedule 40 PVC pipe drops into the newly drilled hole and gets sealed directly to the slab. This heavy-duty piping meets strict ASTM D1785 standards, making it highly durable against vibrations and temperature shifts. The pipe then follows the planned route up through a garage or closet into the attic, or out through the rim joist and up the outside wall. Installers glue every single joint and secure the run with galvanized steel straps so nothing rattles. ### 5\. Mounting the fan Our installers mount the inline radon fan entirely outside of your interior living space. You will typically see units from trusted US brands like RadonAway or Fantech placed in an attic, a garage, or on an exterior wall. Flexible rubber couplings connect the fan housing to the PVC pipe, which absorbs vibration and eliminates rattling noises. The motor requires a dedicated, weather-rated electrical connection and a visible disconnect switch for future servicing. ### 6\. Roofline discharge The top of the exhaust pipe must end safely above the roofline to prevent concentrated radon gas from re-entering the house. Current EPA guidelines require this discharge point to sit at least 12 inches above the roof surface and a minimum of 10 feet away from any operable windows. If the pipe passes through the roof shingles, a rubber boot flashing is installed and heavily sealed against leaks. ### 7\. Sealing We seal the existing sump pump pit with an airtight, clear Lexan lid that still allows you to inspect the water level. Closing off large slab cracks and expansion gaps prevents the system from pulling conditioned air out of your basement. Professional-grade polyurethane caulk is applied around the suction pipe where it enters the concrete to guarantee a perfectly airtight vacuum. ### 8\. Manometer and labels A U-tube manometer gets installed on the side of the PVC pipe in an easily visible spot. It is marked clearly so you know exactly what a normal reading looks like. This gauge measures the pressure difference inside the pipe, confirming that the fan is actively pulling a vacuum under your floor. The system also receives a detailed sticker displaying the installer information and the exact install date. ![Newly installed manometer and system label on a basement radon pipe](https://placehold.co/800x500/0b2545/ffffff?text=Newly+installed+U+tube+manometer+and+radon+system+label+with+install+date+on+basement+PVC+pipe) ### 9\. Testing and safety checks Our team turns on the fan and confirms proper suction pressure across the entire slab. In homes with fuel-burning appliances like gas water heaters, technicians must check for backdrafting. This critical safety step ensures the new vacuum effect is not pulling dangerous carbon monoxide exhaust back down the flue so your furnace vents properly. ### 10\. Cleanup and handoff Technicians sweep up all concrete dust, remove their drop cloths, and clean up debris. You then get a full walkthrough of the system. The crew will explain how to read the manometer gauge, point out where the fan and disconnect switch are located, and discuss what to do if something changes. ![Technician explaining the manometer and warranty paperwork to a homeowner](https://placehold.co/800x500/f4f8f8/0b2545?text=Radon+technician+explaining+manometer+and+warranty+paperwork+to+homeowner+in+basement+after+installation) > **Typical timing** > > Most standard residential installs wrap up in a single visit. Larger properties, homes with both a basement and a crawlspace, and houses that need more than one suction point can take longer and may require a second day. ## What You’ll Notice After Homeowners usually have a few questions about how the new equipment impacts daily life. This quick reference guide covers the most common changes you can expect to see and hear. | What | What’s normal | | --- | --- | | Fan sound | A low, steady hum near the unit, totally silent in main living areas. | | Manometer | Liquid sits noticeably higher on one side and holds steady over time. | | Pipe | Minor interior condensation is completely normal; exterior leaks are not. | | Basement air | Many people report the basement air feels noticeably less damp or musty. | | Electric bill | A minor bump of $30 to $60 per year to run the 40-80 watt fan 24/7. | ## The Post-Mitigation Test We mandate a brief settling period before taking a new air sample. After the system has run long enough for radon levels to settle, a post-mitigation test [/guide/post-mitigation-radon-test/ →](/guide/post-mitigation-radon-test/) measures your new level. Our technicians routinely bring standard US properties, including highly elevated Iowa homes, from above the 4.0 pCi/L action level down to below 1.0 pCi/L. If you are in a home sale, this result is the clearance both buyers and sellers want to see. ## Warranty Paperwork Every professional system and installation carries a standard 5-year warranty. You will receive extensive paperwork describing your specific system and exactly what is covered. A quality radon fan typically lasts 10 to 15 years before needing a replacement motor. If your final post-mitigation results are not where they should be, the crew returns to adjust the system at no extra cost. These warranties are also fully transferable to the next owner if you decide to sell your house. ## How to Prepare Taking a few simple steps the night before makes the actual installation day completely stress-free. Here is a quick checklist to help the crew get straight to work: - Clear a strict 3-foot radius around the planned basement suction area, the utility room, and the attic access hatch. - Move fragile stored items, boxes, and furniture well away from the sump pit and the designated pipe route. - Double-check that the installation crew can easily open and access your main electrical panel. - Keep dogs and cats secured in a separate, closed room while exterior doors are propped open for equipment loading. - Write down any lingering questions about the process so you can ask them right away during the morning walkthrough. Ready to officially get on the schedule? Start with a free virtual estimate. You will have your custom design and guaranteed flat-rate price before install day is even on the calendar. If you would like more background first, see exactly how a radon mitigation system works [/guide/how-radon-mitigation-works/ →](/guide/how-radon-mitigation-works/) . Quick Answers ## Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to be home during installation? Someone needs to let the crew in and show them the basement, attic access and electrical panel. Many homeowners stay for the walkthrough at the start and the explanation at the end. If you can't be there, we can usually arrange access with you ahead of time. Is radon mitigation installation messy? There's some dust from core drilling the slab, but it's contained. Technicians lay drop cloths, use wet coring or vacuum attachments where practical, and clean up before they leave. When is the follow-up test? The post-mitigation test is run after the system has operated long enough for radon levels to stabilize, typically starting at least 24 hours after the fan is turned on. We'll tell you the timing for your home on install day. Related Service ## Radon Mitigation Custom radon mitigation systems for basements, slabs, crawlspaces and well water. Each system is designed after a free virtual estimate and covered by a 5-year warranty. Learn more about Radon Mitigation [/radon-mitigation/ →](/radon-mitigation/)