Replies

1. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Nov 17, 2017 04:21pm | #1

   Short answer: No

   Slightly longer answer: Pressurizing or depressurizing a plumbing vent with a fan can defeat the P-traps on the drain plumbing. The drain traps are only keeping out the gases by the liquid in the trap. Fans powerful enough to depressurize a basement slab can often drive 2-4 water-inches, sometimes more, and interfere with the operation of the drain traps.

2. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Nov 18, 2017 06:02am | #2

   Jerry,
   Dana is right. You can't use a plumbing vent stack for a radon mitigation system. For more information, see this article: All About Radon.

3. 
   user-1137156 | Nov 18, 2017 01:56pm | #3

   Martin & Dana,
   When I asked the question I was thinking only of a passive system which I'll be installing as a precaution. If it turns out that a fan must be added it certainly must be separate but if passive is sufficient fewer holes in the roof is desirable. In the article "All About Radon" Martin specify s PVC pipe for the Radon vent. Is there any reason that ABS pipe should not be used for this purpose?

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Nov 19, 2017 05:34am | #4

   Jerry,
   Whether the system is active or passive, you still need to keep the riser for the radon mitigation system separate from your drain-waste-vent (DWV) plumbing system.

   You can use either PVC or ABS for your radon riser. Even copper would work, but copper is expensive.

5. 
   user-1137156 | Nov 19, 2017 03:26pm | #5

   Martin,
   Thank you!