How to Use a Foundation Drainage System to Remove Radon Gas

Determine if your home has drain tiles that form a loop around the house. Although you can use this method of radon mitigation -- called drain tile suction -- in homes where there is only a partial loop, the highest level of mitigation occurs when the drain tiles surround the home's perimeter.

If your home plans do not detail the drainage system, you can make a few test digs around the perimeter to determine how expansive the drainage system is. To make it easier to find the drain tiles, work backwards from where the collection pipe empties.

Dig a trench to expose the collection pipe to which the drain tiles are tied. Extend the trench another 10 to 12 feet longer, to make room for the additional collection pipe you'll need to add as part of the radon mitigation process.

Attach an exhaust fan between the collection pipe and the drain tiles, using PVC cement. Position the fan so it sucks air from the drain tiles, rather than forcing air in.

Connect the collection pipe to the other side of the exhaust fan, using PVC cement.

Cap the collection pipe with a water-filled trap. This is a PVC addition, and is connected with PVC cement. The water-filled trap prevents outside air from being drawn into the drainage tiles.

Cover the collection pipes and exhaust fan with soil.