Graikos 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Hello everyone, I did an inspection today on a 2005 house. In the basement, toward the front of the house I found this pipe sticking up from the floor. It is PVC and it is tee'd into another pipe running under the floor. I have no idea why it is there. There is wet fiberglass sitting at the bottom so I know water is flowing through it. Any help would be appreciated. I feel like a dummy posting this but I just can't seem to connect the dots. Click to Enlarge 28.65 KB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben H 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Was it open like that in the basement? Could you smell sewer gas coming from it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ghentjr 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Probably a passive radon system without a cap. Builders put them in as a "just-in-case" selling point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graikos 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 There was no sewer gas smell to it. I put my nose right up to it. A passive radon system sounds right. I would have never thought of that. Thanks a lot for your replies!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark P 6 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 A Passive radon mitigation system that vents into the basement? I guess you just put your mother-n-laws favorite chair over it and invite her over a lot...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben H 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 A Passive radon mitigation system that vents into the basement? I guess you just put your mother-n-laws favorite chair over it and invite her over a lot...? I'm with Mark. That just doesn't seem very smart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Amaral 7 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 If you did a radon test... you should have plugged that sucker up.. Fitchburg/Leominster area is the birthplace of PVC tubing by the way.. " Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bain 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Well, but it isn't necessarily a passive system. The builder probably installed the piping before pouring the slab premptively, like John G. suggested. If there were a radon issue once the house was completed, the builder could have connected the piping to a fan to mitigate the radon without having to tear into the slab. I assume there was an easy-enough method by which to extend the pipe to the exterior in the OPs house. Here, I often see the same set-up, with a pipe installed in a chase, and terminating in the attic. Builders have learned it's easier--and more attractive--to address installation of the piping during construction rather than after. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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