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We purchased a home a few years ago and it has a radon mitigation system. I just happened to go downstairs and look at it and noticed this reading. What should I check? Should I be alarmed?

meter photo

EDIT

Thank you for the link to the manual. The fan is on a pipe coming out of the house and is plugged in to the outlet on the side of the house. I can't tell (tried both listening and feeling for vibration) if it's running and I checked to ensure that the breaker hadn't been flipped.

As for checking the oil - I haven't quite been able to figure out how to do that.

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    I'm guessing this system has a fan. Is it still running?
    – BMitch
    Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 21:19
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    The fan would have to run backwards to get that reading. Disconnect the supply tube and try to adjust to zero. If you can't, try the fill button. If that doesn't work, you probably need more gauge oil.
    – bcworkz
    Commented Nov 10, 2012 at 22:15
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    Here is a link to the manual; dwyer-inst.com/PDF_files/mark2_iom.pdf
    – timquinn
    Commented Nov 12, 2012 at 7:56
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    To check if the fan is working, you can put a plastic bag over the end of the exhaust pipe and see if it inflates. Gauge oil is just the orange fluid that goes in the manometer (pressure meter) tube that indicates the pressure difference being driven by the fan. If it is missing or low, then it could give the negative reading. It should go to zero when the fan if off (as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard).
    – littleturtle
    Commented Nov 24, 2012 at 18:34
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    @BMitch ultimately what happened was that the fan had stopped running. I don't know why/how it stopped working, but we had someone come out and check it and they unplugged it and plugged it back in and it started working.
    – swasheck
    Commented May 16, 2013 at 14:33

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To check if the fan is working, you can put a plastic bag over the end of the exhaust pipe and see if it inflates.

Gauge oil is just the orange fluid that goes in the manometer (pressure meter) tube that indicates the pressure difference being driven by the fan. If it is missing or low, then it could give the negative reading. It should go to zero when the fan if off (as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard).

Even if the bag inflates, it may not be creating a strong enough pressure difference, so you should make sure there is the proper amount of gauge oil in the manometer.

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