If you’ve never had contractors drilling into your foundation before, it’s fair to wonder what a radon mitigation install actually involves. Here’s the honest, step-by-step version — no surprises.
Before the crew arrives
You don’t need to do much to prep. Clear a path to the area where the suction point will go (usually a basement or utility area) and let us know about anything fragile nearby. Most systems don’t require you to leave the house, though some prefer to be out for the noisier parts.
The walkthrough
Every install starts with a walkthrough of your test results and foundation. We’re confirming the foundation type (slab, basement, or crawlspace), looking for the best suction point, and planning the pipe route before anything gets drilled.
Drilling the suction point
A small hole — typically 4 to 6 inches — gets cut into the slab, usually in a low-traffic spot like a utility closet or corner of the basement. A pit is hollowed out beneath it to give the system room to pull air from a wider area of soil.
Running the pipe
PVC pipe runs from that suction point up through the house — through a closet, garage, or exterior wall — to a termination point above the roofline. Routing is planned to stay out of sight wherever the house layout allows.
Installing the fan
The fan sits in the pipe run, usually in an attic, garage, or exterior wall section — never inside living space, both for noise and safety. It runs continuously, pulling radon-laden air from beneath the slab and venting it above the roofline, away from windows and doors.
Sealing
Cracks, the sump lid, and any other visible slab penetrations get sealed as part of the job. An unsealed gap elsewhere in the slab can undercut an otherwise well-built system.
Verification test
Once everything’s running, a follow-up radon test confirms the number actually dropped. That’s included in the job, not billed separately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does installation take?
Most systems are installed in a single day.
Will it be noisy?
Drilling and coring are loud for a short stretch. Once running, the fan itself is quiet — most homeowners barely notice it.
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily, but someone should be reachable in case we find something unexpected once we’re into the foundation.
Got a high test result and want to know what a system would look like in your specific house? Get a quote — we’ll walk you through it before anything gets scheduled.