Schedule Radon Testing for Your Calgary Home
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and has been shown to kill over 3,200 Canadians every year. Radon combined with smoking is even worse!
Radon gas is odourless, tasteless, and invisible. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THE RADON LEVEL IN YOUR HOME IS TO TEST! Homes in the greater Calgary area have a high incidence of radon.
Fortunately, testing for radon gas is easy and inexpensive. To test for radon gas or install a radon mitigation system in your home, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with RADONreduction.
RADONreduction is an owner-operated company certified in radon mitigation by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program. Call 587-998-1596 to schedule your appointment today.
Certified Radon Testing in Calgary
Every building that is in contact with the ground should be tested for radon. Treehouses and houseboats are the only homes that need not worry!
Radon is a naturally occurring soil gas that comes from uranium deposits slowly decaying in the ground. During the decay process, radon gas is released, which can enter a building.
Radon is an inert gas and can enter through the concrete slab basement floor and into the breathing space. Gaps, cracks, and openings in the basement slab make it easier for radon gas to enter, but it can enter either way.
Due to a phenomenon known as the “stack effect” or “chimney effect,” houses are almost like a vacuum—creating negative pressure in relation to the area below the basement floor that gently “sucks” the toxic gas into the house.
Radon is heavier than air and, therefore, collects in the highest concentration in the lowest level of a house. Although it is generally most concentrated at the lowest level, radon will still be present on the floors above, just in a lower concentration due to the stack effect mentioned above.
For this reason, it is recommended that you schedule RADONreduction to test at least the lowest level of your house. Even if the basement is not currently in use, it could be in the future. Testing the floors above is a good idea, too.
Types of Radon Testing
There are two main types of consumer radon testers: alpha-track testers and digital radon monitors.
- Alpha-track testers are the industry standard, as they are known for their accuracy and low cost. The downside to alpha-track testers is that they are required to be deployed in excess of 90 days and then sent to a lab to be analyzed—and are a one-time use.
- Digital monitors are becoming very common. They give almost immediate readings without lab analysis and often do other air quality measurements as well.
The accuracy of most digital monitors is very good. Digital monitors start around $175 and go up from there, depending on the features. Another great benefit of digital monitors is that they can be loaned to neighbours, friends, and family.
Radon Testing Basics
- Deploy the radon tester in an area where someone does, or could, spend at least 4 hours per day. Test in a home office, spare bedroom, TV room, or home gym. It isn’t recommended to test mechanical/furnace rooms, storage rooms, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.
- Keep the tester in the room’s breathing space. Keep it off the floor and ceiling and away from exterior walls, open windows, and excessive moisture and/or dust.
- Test for a period of time before acting as radon levels fluctuate due to a number of factors. A very short test of a couple of days is not an accurate representation of radon gas exposure. Health Canada recommends a test in excess of 90 days.
- Don’t rely on the neighbours. If your neighbour has tested for radon and received a low or high result, that doesn’t mean you will too. Every house is different in proximity to uranium deposits, geological pathways below the house, and the way that the occupants ventilate and heat/cool, which can all affect radon levels.
- Test every couple of years, especially if you renovate, upgrade or change your heating/cooling systems, or have a basement excavated nearby.
- Follow the manufacturer’s placement instructions. Many devices have slightly different placement requirements, so follow the directions specific to your device.
Radon Testing Products in Calgary
Ready to test? The RADONreduction online store offers several testing options. RADONreduction has narrowed the field down to what they feel are the best devices for accuracy, affordability, and ease of use. As always, if you have any radon questions, please feel free to reach out at any time.
If your home does have a radon problem, it can easily be fixed with a radon mitigation system. A radon mitigation system vents radon gas out from below the basement floor and exhausts it into the atmosphere before it can enter your Calgary home.
The installation of a radon mitigation system can be done in one day and, on average, costs around $2,100-$2,500. It’s a small price to pay to have peace of mind knowing that you’re not exposing your household to a cancer-causing gas! Visit RADONreduction for more information on installing a mitigation system.
Call for a Free Quote
If you have tested for radon and would like to schedule a free, no-obligation site visit to receive a quote for a radon mitigation system in your Calgary home, please fill out this form or call RADONreduction at 587-998-1596 for more information.
Alpha Plumbing customers receive a $50 discount on radon mitigation systems by simply mentioning that you heard about RADONreduction from Alpha Plumbing!