Has Your Home Been Tested for Radon?

What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium soil, rock and water. It moves up through the ground and into the air above. It can get into your home through any foundation cracks or holes. It can also enter your home through well water.
According to the Health Canada, nearly 1 in 8 homes in Alberta has an elevated radon level of more than 200 bq/m3 and noted that you start to cancer risk at 100bq/m3. Unfortunately, due to Canada’s geology, on average we have some of the highest levels of radon gas in homes, world wide. Any type of home can have a radon problem, even those without basements.
Even if your home is in a low level zone (most of Alberta is in a high-level zone), you should still get your home tested. For example, homes that are next door to each other can have different indoor radon levels.

Testing for radon is actually easy and not complicated. It’s important to test the lower levels of your home, i.e. those below the third floor.
You can purchase or order online devices to test for radon, or you can hire a qualified radon tester to come to your home. Some devices may be more appropriate for your needs and testing conditions. Make sure you are getting a reliable testing device.

Types of testing devices:
Passive devices – Don’t require power and are exposed to the air in your home for a specified period of time and then sent to a lab for analysis. Some devices are better at resisting test interference or disturbances. Includes charcoal canisters, alpha-track detectors, charcoal liquid scintillation devices, electret ion chamber devices.
Active devices – Require power and measure and record the amount of radon or its decay products in the air. Many can provide a report and also indicate if there are any swings in radon levels during the test period. Some also have anti-interference features. These active devices cost more than the passive ones. Includes continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors.
Short-term testing is typically from a minimum of 48 hours to 90 days. This type of testing may be something that a home buyer may request before purchasing a home, or if there are other time restraints rather than a real estate transaction.
Long-term testing typically lasts more than 90 days, and will usually provide a year-round average radon level.
No matter what type of testing you conduct, it’s important for family members to follow directions carefully and to keep any interference to a minimum so you can get reliable results.

Fixing High Radon Levels
Health Canada recommends fixing your home if levels are above 200bq/m3. Remember that high levels of radon in your home is a health risk and a leading cause of lung cancer.
Don’t think that it’s complicated or expensive to fix any radon problems. It can be done without making major changes to your home, and the cost can be comparable to other home repairs.
High levels can be reduced several ways, including sealing cracks or installing venting pipes and fans or sub slab suction. Get estimates from radon mitigation contractors. They can determine the most appropriate system for your home.

Radon and Home Renovation
Before you embark on any major home renovation, get your indoor radon levels checked. This is especially true if you are renovating a basement or lower level room in your home. And test your radon levels after you have completed any work since levels can change.
Also, it is better and less expensive to install a radon-reduction system during your renovations than afterward.
Let me know if you have any questions about radon testing, especially if you are thinking of selling in the near future. 

For more information on radon:
Health Canada Radon Resources
Great West Radon
CREA- Homeowners Guide to Radon

• Homes built in the last 25 years often contain over 30 per cent more radon than older properties.
• Major changes to a home, such as renovations, can change radon readings. It may not be necessary or relevant to conduct a radon test if a property is purchased with plans for a major renovation or a tear down.
• Changes to building codes in 2015 made it mandatory for new buildings to have a roughed in radon mitigation option.
• Radon levels are easy to test for and properties with high radon levels can be mitigated down to safe levels by professionals.
• A proper radon test takes 90 days and should be conducted between October and April.
• After major renovations or a new build, homeowners should wait two years before testing
• Rural properties could have possible radon contamination in water wells.
• In Alberta, it is now mandatory for new landlords to complete radon testing on their properties.