# Radon System Repair | Radon Mitigation Des Moines

> Radon fan replacement, alarm and error code diagnosis, pipe and joint repair, and existing system inspections in the Des Moines metro. 24/7 support.

URL: https://radonmitigationdesmoines.com/radon-system-maintenance/

![Technician replacing a radon fan on the exterior pipe of a Des Moines-area home](/images/misc/radon-technician-on-a-ladder-replacing-an-old-rado.webp)

Alarms, fan replacement and inspections

# Radon System Repair, Fan Replacement and Inspections in Des Moines

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Error codes, fans, pipes and joints, and inspections for existing radon systems, including ones we didn't install. Iowa HHS-credentialed radon testing and mitigation for the Des Moines metro, backed by a 5-year warranty and 24-hour support.

-   verifiedIowa HHS credentialed
-   shield5-year warranty
-   support\_agent24/7 support
-   event\_availableSince 2016

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

Pricing: Service-call pricing on request.

-   verified Iowa HHS Credentialed
-   workspace\_premium NRPP / NRSB Certified Techs
-   shield 5-Year Warranty
-   support\_agent 24/7 Support

Sound familiar?

## Signs Your Radon System Needs Service

A radon system only protects you while it's running. Watch for these warning signs.

notifications\_active

### The fan alarm is going off

An audible alarm or error code means the system lost suction. It could be power, the fan motor or a disconnected pipe.

speed

### The manometer reads even

If both sides of the U-tube are level, the fan isn't pulling soil gas. Your home is unprotected until it's fixed.

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### New noise, rattles or dripping

A loud fan, a rattle or water in the housing often points to worn bearings, poor pipe slope or a missing condensation bypass.

home\_repair\_service

### You inherited someone else's system

Bought a home with a system already installed? An inspection tells you if it still works and what it needs.

Maintenance & Repair radon services

## What Is Radon System Maintenance?

A radon system only protects you while the fan runs and the seals hold. Fans wear out, rubber couplings crack in Iowa freeze-thaw cycles, and a sump lid that gets pulled for pump service often goes back on loose. None of that is obvious unless you look.

We diagnose audible fan failure alarms and manometer readings that look wrong. On a U-tube manometer, even liquid levels mean the system has no suction. We find out why, whether it's a tripped breaker, a failed fan motor, a frozen exhaust or a disconnected pipe.

Repairs cover the whole system. We replace failed or noisy radon fans, replace cracked Fernco rubber couplings and broken pipe, add condensation bypasses where water is pooling in the fan, clear blocked exhausts and fix exhaust vent screens that clog or trap ice, and re-seal slab cracks and sump lid gaskets. Then we run a smoke stick leak test to confirm the system is tight again.

Bought a home with a system already in place? We inspect systems installed by other companies too. You'll get a written summary of what's working, what isn't and a retest recommendation, so you know the system you inherited is actually lowering your level.

### Services in this category

-   Error Codes & Indicators
-   Fans, Pipes & Joints
-   Existing System Inspections

![U-tube manometer with even liquid levels showing a radon system with no suction](/images/features/close-up-of-u-tube-manometer-on-a-basement-radon-p.webp)

### What's included

-   check Error code and alarm diagnosis
-   check Radon fan replacement
-   check Pipe, coupling and joint repair
-   check Re-sealing slabs and sump lids
-   check Existing system inspections
-   check Service for systems installed by others

Is your radon system still doing its job? It’s easy to forget about a fan that hums along in the garage or attic.

That’s why radon system maintenance is worth a few minutes of your attention. In Iowa, the stakes are high. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says EPA has placed every county in the state in Zone 1, and the average indoor level here is 8.5 pCi/L, compared to 1.3 pCi/L nationwide.

So when a fan stops, you want to know fast.

Below is a quick checklist of what we see most often, followed by what we do about each problem. Grab your phone, walk over to your manometer, and let’s go through it together.

## Is Your Radon System Working? A Quick Symptoms Checklist

Most radon system problems show up in a few predictable ways. If you notice any of these, call us.

| What you notice | What it usually means | What we do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Audible fan failure alarm sounding | Fan has stopped or suction dropped | Check power and fan, replace fan if failed |
| Manometer liquid levels are even | No suction in the pipe | Find the cause: power, fan, disconnected or blocked pipe |
| Fan is louder or rattling | Worn bearings or loose mounting | Replace fan, re-mount on isolation couplings |
| Water dripping from the fan | Condensation pooling in the housing | Fix pipe slope or add a condensation bypass |
| Ice at the exhaust in winter | Frozen exhaust restricting airflow | Check pipe size and vent screen, re-route if needed |
| Retest came back high | Leaks, failed seal or undersized design | Inspect, smoke test, re-seal or add suction |
| Sump lid missing or cracked | Soil gas bypassing the system | Install a gasketed airtight lid |

Winter ice deserves a closer look. A 2025 article from fan maker Vilpe explains that freezing usually comes from too much moisture in the system, not a bad motor. The ice can throw the blades off balance and wear out the bearings, so don’t wait for spring to deal with it.

Use our free 

radon fan operating cost calculator

[/tools/radon-fan-operating-cost/ →](/tools/radon-fan-operating-cost/)

 to see what an older, power-hungry fan is costing you each year. One maintenance guide from Erase Radon estimates that a typical system adds roughly $50 to $100 a year to your electric bill.

## Radon Fan Replacement

Radon fans run every hour of every day. When one fails, your radon level can climb back to where it started within a day or two.

Most fans carry a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. EPA notes they typically last five years or more before needing repair or replacement, and a quality fan on a well-built system often lasts much longer. If yours is getting up there, a quick check now beats a surprise failure in January.

We carry common replacement fans, so most jobs are done in one visit. Where the original fan was oversized, undersized or noisy, we’ll recommend a better match for your soil and pipe.

![Technician checking voltage at a radon fan disconnect box](/images/content/radon-technician-checking-power-at-an-outdoor-rado.webp)

## Pipes, Couplings and Joints

The rubber couplings that hold a fan in place, often Fernco-style fittings, dry out and crack over years of Iowa heat and cold. A cracked coupling on the pressure side of the fan can leak radon into an attic or garage. We replace couplings and broken pipe, tighten clamps, and confirm every joint with a smoke stick leak test.

Pipe slope matters just as much. Vilpe’s guidance on frozen radon fans points to enough slope for condensation to drain, plus insulation on exposed pipe, as two of the best ways to keep moisture from building up.

> **Monthly habit worth keeping**
> 
> Glance at your manometer once a month. It takes five seconds, and an even reading is the earliest warning that something has changed.

## Existing System Inspections

Bought a home with a radon system? You inherited someone else’s work. Our inspection covers:

-   Fan operation, age and electrical connection
-   Manometer reading and whether it’s mounted where you can see it
-   Pipe slope, supports, couplings and labeling
-   Exhaust location above the roof edge and away from windows and doors
-   Sump lid, floor cracks and the floor-wall joint
-   A retest recommendation with timing

You’ll get a written summary. If we find a problem, we’ll quote the fix before doing it.

On timing, EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon suggests retesting your home every two years after a system goes in, so you know levels are staying low. Not sure the system is lowering your level at all? Book a 

radon test

[/radon-testing/ →](/radon-testing/)

 along with the inspection.

## When Repair Isn’t Enough

Sometimes a system was never designed for the house. A single suction point under a split-level, pipe routed through a cold attic with no slope, or an open crawlspace next to a mitigated basement can all keep levels high.

EPA’s action level is 4 pCi/L, and the agency also suggests considering a fix when results fall between 2 and 4. If your retest still lands above those numbers, our 

residential radon mitigation

[/residential-radon-mitigation/ →](/residential-radon-mitigation/)

 team can redesign the system. We’ll explain the options and the trade-offs plainly.

Whether it’s a quick fan swap or a full radon system maintenance tune-up, our 

Des Moines radon mitigation

[/ →](/)

 crews are happy to help. Call (515) 218-7447 any time, or 

request service

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 online.

Why homeowners choose us

## Why Choose Radon Mitigation Des Moines for Radon Repair?

support\_agent

### 24-hour support line

Alarms don't wait for business hours. Call any time and get a real answer and a booked repair.

home\_repair\_service

### We service any system

Installed by us, by another contractor or by a previous owner, we'll inspect it and fix it.

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### Credentialed technicians

Every repair tech is Iowa HHS-credentialed and trained through NRPP, NRSB, CERTI or ICA School.

shield

### 5-year warranty

Replacement fans and repair installs are covered by our 5-year warranty on systems and installs.

How it works

## How Does Radon System Maintenance Work?

1.  01 support\_agent
    
    ### Call 24/7
    
    Tell us what you're seeing: an alarm, a manometer reading, a new noise or a high retest. We'll triage it on the phone.
    
2.  02 troubleshoot
    
    ### Diagnose
    
    We check power, fan draw, suction at the manometer, pipe joints, the exhaust and the sump seal.
    
3.  03 handyman
    
    ### Repair or replace
    
    Fan replacement, coupling and pipe repair, condensation bypass, vent screen and re-sealing, done on the spot when possible.
    
4.  04 fact\_check
    
    ### Confirm & retest
    
    A smoke stick leak test and manometer check, plus a retest recommendation so you have proof it's working.
    

## Alarm going off? Call us any time.

Our 24-hour line triages the problem on the phone and books the repair. Replacement fans and repair installs are covered by our 5-year warranty.

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

 

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Our work

## Repair and Inspection Work

Real installs and testing jobs across the Des Moines metro. Click any photo to enlarge.

 

 

Client Verification

## What Customers Say About Our Radon System Maintenance

starstarstarstarstar

> "Fan alarm went off on a Sunday night. I called the 24-hour line, got answers right away and a fan replacement booked for Monday."

Dana R. · Urbandale

starstarstarstarstar

> "We bought a house in Grimes with a system from the old owner. They inspected it, found a cracked coupling in the garage and fixed it the same visit."

Mark H. · Grimes

starstarstarstarstar

> "Our fan had gotten loud and rattly. They replaced it with a quieter model and added a condensation bypass. It's silent now."

Leah F. · Pleasant Hill

Read our reviews on Google open\_in\_new

[https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJRTO3QJee7ocRgEpZOJOW_-U →](https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJRTO3QJee7ocRgEpZOJOW_-U)

Straight Answers

## Radon System Maintenance Questions, Answered

### What should I do if my radon fan alarm goes off?

expand\_more

Check that the fan's breaker or outlet is on and look at the manometer. If the liquid levels are even, the system has no suction. Call our 24-hour line and we'll book a repair or fan replacement.

### How do I read my radon manometer?

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A U-tube manometer has colored liquid in a U-shaped tube. When the fan is pulling suction, one side sits higher than the other. If both sides are even, the system isn't working and needs service.

### How long do radon fans last?

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Many fans run for years, but they work 24 hours a day, so motors and bearings eventually wear out. A louder fan, a new rattle or a dropping manometer reading are signs it's time to check it.

### Do you service radon systems installed by another company?

expand\_more

Yes. We inspect, repair and replace fans on systems installed by other contractors, including systems that came with a home you just bought.

### Why is water dripping from my radon fan?

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Warm, moist soil gas condenses in the pipe, especially in Iowa winters. Pipe that doesn't slope back toward the suction point, or a fan without a condensation bypass, can collect water. We correct the slope or add a bypass.

### Can my radon exhaust freeze?

expand\_more

Yes. In hard cold, condensation can build ice at the exhaust and choke airflow. We check pipe size, slope and the vent screen, and re-route or resize where needed.

### How often should I have my system inspected?

expand\_more

Check your manometer monthly, retest every two years, and have the system looked at if the reading changes, the fan gets noisy or you finish the basement.

### My sump lid was removed for pump work. Does that matter?

expand\_more

Yes. An unsealed sump pit lets soil gas bypass the system. We reinstall or replace the lid with a gasketed seal so the system keeps full suction.

Still have a question?

Our support line answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

phone\_in\_talk (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

 

Send a Question

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Try it yourself

## Free Tools for Radon System Maintenance

Quick, private estimates you can run before you call. No sign-up needed to see your result.

boltRadon Fan Operating Cost CalculatorEstimate what your radon fan costs to run each month and year based on fan wattage and your electricity rate. Use the free tool arrow\_forward

[/tools/radon-fan-operating-cost/ →](/tools/radon-fan-operating-cost/)

Keep exploring

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[/residential-radon-mitigation/ →](/residential-radon-mitigation/)

monitor\_heartRadon TestingCRM, short-term, long-term, real estate and post-mitigation radon testing by credentialed testers. Learn more arrow\_forward

[/radon-testing/ →](/radon-testing/)

constructionNew Construction Radon SystemsPassive system installs for builders, post-construction testing and passive-to-active upgrades. Learn more arrow\_forward

[/new-construction-radon-systems/ →](/new-construction-radon-systems/)

![](/images/hero/radon-technician-loading-white-pvc-pipe-and-radon-.webp)

24/7 booking & support

## Ready to Book Radon System Maintenance?

Credentialed radon system maintenance across Des Moines and 25 nearby cities, with a written quote, a post-mitigation test where it applies, and a 5-year warranty on systems and installs.

Request a Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

phone\_in\_talk Call (515) 218-7447

[tel:+15152187447 →](tel:+15152187447)

-   verifiedIowa HHS credentialed
-   shield5-year warranty
-   fact\_checkPost-mitigation test