Maintenance Requirements for Water-Borne Radon Removal Systems
Granular Carbon Filtration
- This is an effective method for treatment of radon in levels less than 5000pCi/L
- We recommend that the carbon bed be backwashed periodically to reclassify the bed. If you don’t do this, the water can channel through the bed leading to ineffective removal of the radon
- The issue is that the carbon bed accumulates radioactivity over time
- Thus the necessity of rebedding the unit about every 3-5 years, the higher the radon level, the more frequently you should rebed
- We recommend testing for radon on both the incoming and the finished water to monitor how the system is performing. For information on testing, go to Recommendations for Testing
Clearadon Aeration System
- This unit is very efficient and the best one we’ve seen. It is capable of 99.9% removal
- Performance is usually trouble free and requires no day-to-day maintenance
- The only problem we’ve seen is that with the right combination of events, you can lose pressure to the house.
- If this occurs, it is most likely due to the pump protection device which shuts the pump down
- Getting the system back up:
- Make sure there is plenty of water in the black aeration tank
- Locate the pressure switch for the pump – small box near the pump with wires attached
- Depress the lever coming out of the pressure switch – this will start the pump. Keep the lever pushed until the pump continues running through its cycle
- You’re now back up and running
Scheduled Maintenance for Clearadon Unit
Once per year
- Change out filter cartridges on pre and post filters
- Unfasten lid on aerator tank
- While the aerator is running and processing water, lift the lid and squirt a stream of chlorine bleach (use only unscented household bleach) into the center of the flow of water coming into the unit. About ½ ounce is all you need. This will successfully sanitize the system. Refasten the lid latches.
- Remove the air filter and blow it out with compressed air or if the filter is particularly clogged, replace it
- Switch the coils on the solenoids (i.e. remove the coil on solenoid #1 and place it on solenoid #2, and vice versa)
- Run water at a spigot until the chlorine has cleared
- We recommend testing for radon on both the incoming and the finished water to monitor how the system is performing. For information on testing, go to Recommendations for Testing
Once about every 5 years replace solenoid valves
Other aeration systems
There are a wide variety of systems available, each with their own requirements. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for service and maintenance.
