Holes in Radon Pipe

[Jim Katen]

Any idea why these radon exhaust pipes would have holes in them? 

[Bill Kibbel]

The installer wears Crocs.  The holes let all dignity drain out.

[Jim Katen]

Everybody's a comedian. . . 

[Chad Fabry]

plumber bees

 

[Erby]

Initially, when I read it, I thought condensate drains but those holes aren't how condensate bypasses are done on radon systems.

On the pressure side of the fan, I'd guess air is coming out the holes, not getting sucked in.

I think Chad has the best answer!

[Jim Katen]

One of my partners ended up talking with the tech who installed it - it's a condensate drain: 

https://www.radonpds.com/shop/all-accessories/hydro-sep/

He said that they've stopped using them because they felt that the 2" pipe caused a restriction in airflow and because they figured that condensation isn't going to be the limiting factor in the fan's service life anyway. 

[Bill Kibbel]

Here in radon central, I've never seen it.  I've seen plenty of condensate bypass systems though.

[Erby]

Around here, if they put it in at all, they use a condensate collector coupling above the fan with a tube from it back into the pipe below the fan.

No restriction of air flow.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2017 by Erby

[Jim Katen]

How does the "special coupling" collect the condensate without creating a narrower interior cross-section? 

[Erby]

It does create a slightly narrower interior cross section with the collector ring.

[Les]

I learn something every day!  And, I do forget a few things.

 

[Jim Katen]

Looks like it works the same as the one in my picture, only shorter. 

Also, I can't see the benefit of routing the condensate back into the radon pipe below the fan. Why not let it drip on the ground or plumb it to a rain drain or other place of disposal? 

[Erby]

Beats the hell out of me, Jim.  I'm not a radon mitigator, but I see a lot of them around here given Mother Nature's propensity for spitting it out in Central Kentucky.  
The cold weather times around here have created some ice mounds around the fan when it's not routed back into the pipe to go back into the ground at the base of the pipe. Easiest place to dispose is right back into the pipe below the fan.

[Tom Raymond]

How is condensate being sucked through a fan differ from condensate dripping through from the other side? The fan is wet either way.

[Les]

how is the vacuum affected by the bypass?

 

[Marc]

4 hours ago, Tom Raymond said:

How is condensate being sucked through a fan differ from condensate dripping through from the other side? The fan is wet either way.

The fan moves only the vapor.  Any liquid condensation that forms goes downwards as per gravity.  The bypass tube simply allows the condensation to bypass the fan.

I'm guessing.

[Erby]

I'm guessing you're right Marc.

Les:  I'm not sure about the bypass affecting the vacuum, but I've seen them pulling a couple of inches of water column with the bypass present, so I'm guessing the affect is minimal.