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Sub-slab Depressurization System

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Sub-slab Depressurization System

Sub-Slab Depressurization System (SSD): How It Works

A Sub-Slab Depressurization (SSD) system is the most common way to reduce radon in homes with a basement or slab-on-grade foundation.

  • A small suction point is cored into the slab. A technician cores a hole roughly 5 inches wide through the concrete floor.
  • Soil is cleared beneath the hole to create a suction pit. About 5–10 gallons of dirt are removed from under the slab, creating an open pocket of air that lets the system pull soil gas from a wider area.
  • A vertical pipe is set into the hole. This pipe is the pathway that carries soil gas (including radon) from beneath the slab.
  • A fan outside pulls air through the system. A dedicated radon fan creates continuous suction through the pipe – this is what actually depressurizes the space under the slab.
  • The pipe routes up and past the roofline in Schedule 40 PVC. From the fan, the pipe extends above the roof eave so radon is released well above head height and away from windows.
  • A screen caps the vent outlet. A protective screen at the top keeps birds, bugs, and debris from entering the pipe and damaging the fan.
  • A manometer monitors system performance. This gauge, mounted on the indoor pipe, shows whether air is actively flowing.
  • An alarm provides ongoing monitoring. If the fan stops running or airflow drops, the alarm alerts the homeowner.

Frequently Asked Questions about sub-slab depressurization

The system doesn’t need a large opening to work — it relies on suction pulling air through the soil, not on the size of the hole itself. A 5-inch core is enough to fit the pipe and establish a strong vacuum beneath the slab.

Clearing 5–10 gallons of soil creates an open air pocket right at the suction point. Soil is naturally porous, so this pocket lets negative pressure spread out under a larger area of the slab rather than just the spot directly beneath the pipe.

It’s a visual indicator of airflow in the pipe. If the reading looks normal, the fan is pulling air as expected – if it changes noticeably, that can be an early sign something needs attention.

It means the system has stopped moving air – usually because the fan has failed or lost power. Since the system only reduces radon while it’s running, an alarm means it’s time to call for service.

Venting above the roofline releases radon high enough that it disperses into outdoor air rather than collecting near windows, doors, or outdoor living areas at ground level.

It keeps birds, insects, and debris from getting into the pipe and reaching the fan, which could otherwise damage the fan or block airflow.

Yes, SSD systems are designed to run continuously. The fan is what maintains the vacuum under the slab, so ongoing operation is what keeps radon from building up indoors.

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