What is Radon and Why It’s a Concern in Calgary?
As a homeowner or property manager in Calgary, understanding indoor air quality risks is critical—especially those you can’t see or smell. Radon gas poses a serious health hazard across Alberta, and Calgary’s geology places it among the most affected regions in Canada. Unmitigated radon can silently accumulate under your home, especially in basements, rendering long-term exposure dangerous without any immediate symptoms.
High radon levels in your home? Calgary Radon Detection provides professional Radon Mitigation in Calgary with proven systems that reduce radon to safe levels. Our certified technicians handle everything from installation to post-mitigation testing. Get a free quote today.
Definition of Radon Gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it undetectable without professional radon testing in Calgary. Once radon seeps into a property—typically through foundation cracks or gaps—it can become trapped and build up to hazardous levels.
How Radon Affects Your Health
Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels significantly increases your risk of developing lung cancer. In fact,
“Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in Canada.” – Health Canada
Health Canada sets the radon safety guideline at 200 Bq/m³, but many Calgary homes far exceed this threshold without homeowners realizing it. This is why long-term radon testing is highly recommended.
Unique Risks in Alberta’s Geography
Calgary is uniquely positioned over uranium-rich sandstone and gravel soil beds, which emit higher-than-average radon levels into the surrounding air. Combined with below-grade living spaces and sealed foundation designs, this geological composition creates ideal conditions for radon accumulation.
Radon levels in Alberta are among the highest in Canada due to the region’s geology.
These regional risk factors necessitate not only awareness but also tailored solutions for radon remediation.
Protect your home with accurate testing and expert assessment before radon becomes a long-term threat to your family’s health.
Why Calgary Homes Require Custom Radon Mitigation
Radon doesn't fix itself. If your levels are above 200 Bq/m³, professional radon removal in Calgary is the only proven solution. Calgary Radon Detection installs mitigation systems that lower radon levels by up to 99%. Request your free estimate.
A heatmap visualizes radon concentration across various soil types in a Calgary residential area, highlighting the need for custom radon mitigation.
If you’re searching for a radon mitigation system in Calgary, a box-store setup simply won’t cut it. Calgary’s complex soil types, building architecture, and climate call for customized mitigation strategies designed to address localized soil gas entry and compliance with municipal guidelines. A one-size-fits-all solution can leave dangerous gaps—literally and figuratively—in your home’s protection.
Calgary’s Soil Composition and Radon Retention
Given the prevalence of clay-heavy soil in many Calgary neighborhoods—including areas like Tuscany, Arbour Lake, and McKenzie Towne—radon tends to linger underground. Clay impedes natural gas diffusion, causing elevated concentrations to push into building foundations.
“Clay-heavy soil in Calgary often traps more radon, increasing the need for aggressive mitigation systems.” – Certified Installer Insight
This underlines the importance of a custom mitigation plan designed for specific site conditions.
Impact of Foundation Style on Radon Entry
Whether a home uses slab-on-grade, crawlspace, or full basement construction has a direct influence on how radon enters. Homes in Calgary with full basements are particularly vulnerable due to sub-slab voids and joints. Creating airtight seals in the foundation and implementing sub-slab depressurization are techniques adjusted according to your home’s design and age.
Local Building Codes and Airflow Requirements
Calgary adheres to specific requirements regarding air movement, pressurization, and exhaust systems. HRVs (heat recovery ventilators) and pressurization techniques must be configured within these standards, especially when dealing with radon. A C-NRPP certified installer understands how local codes impact radon system design and can create optimized airflow solutions without compromising indoor air quality.
Don’t trust your family’s health to generic systems—choose a profession-designed, property-specific approach from certified Calgary experts.
Seasonal Radon Levels in Calgary: Why Timing Matters
A Calgary home with effective custom radon mitigation, ensuring safety and comfort through winter.
If you’re thinking about radon testing, Calgary’s winter is the most accurate—and crucial—season to do it. Cold air means tighter indoor environments, and that translates to an increased risk of radon infiltration. Radon doesn’t take a break during winter; in fact, it multiplies its danger. Understanding how seasonal trends affect radon behaviour can help you plan mitigation before your family is at risk.
Winter and Trapped Indoor Air
During winter, homes are typically sealed tight to conserve heat, which disables the natural ventilation that may otherwise dissipate radon. This creates negative pressure in the basement, acting like a vacuum from below your slab—drawing in radon gas.
Radon levels can increase by up to 60% during Calgary’s coldest months.
Hence, the colder the weather, the more urgent testing and remediation becomes.
Heating Systems’ Impact on Air Pressure
Furnace-driven air circulation systems often exacerbate radon entry by creating localized suction at the lowest levels of a home. This differential pressure not only encourages gas to enter but distributes it throughout living areas. That’s why pressurization techniques and HRV systems are often essential components in Calgary radon mitigation approaches.
When to Test and Why Early Action Pays Off
Health Canada recommends long-term radon testing during the heating season, typically between October and April. Acting early helps homeowners identify peak exposure periods and implement effective mitigation before complications arise.
Testing in winter provides the most accurate worst-case baseline.
Don’t wait for a symptom—detect and manage elevated radon in basements before it’s too late.
Schedule your winter testing now and create a healthier indoor environment before radon has the chance to accumulate.
Custom Radon Mitigation: Process, Cost, and What To Expect
A Calgary Radon Detection expert installs a custom radon mitigation system for safer homes in Calgary, AB.
If you’re a Calgary homeowner or property manager dealing with elevated radon levels, understanding the mitigation process can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, with localized expertise from certified professionals, custom radon mitigation becomes a strategic and stress-free step toward a healthier home environment. Tailored systems, designed with Alberta’s unique gravel and clay soils in mind, can reliably reduce radon concentrations below Health Canada’s 200 Bq/m³ guideline — and keep your indoor air safe year-round.
Step-by-step: From testing to installation
Every successful radon mitigation project begins with accurate testing. At Calgary Radon Detection, the journey unfolds like this:
- Step 1: In-home radon testing – A free, no-obligation test determines if radon levels exceed national safety thresholds.
- Step 2: Site inspection and design – Our C-NRPP certified professionals assess soil composition, foundation type, and home layout to craft a fully customized system.
- Step 3: System installation – Most homes benefit from a sub-slab depressurization system cleverly routed through utility rooms or sealed exterior lines.
- Step 4: Post-installation validation – We retest to confirm effectiveness, ensuring that radon levels are brought well below the Health Canada radon guideline.
Sub-slab depressurization and other techniques
Calgary soil types — from sandy loam to dense clay — directly affect mitigation design. While sub-slab depressurization (SSD) is the gold standard and works by creating a pressure void beneath the concrete slab to vent gases safely outside, alternative techniques may be used in certain builds:
- Sump pit modifications for homes with existing drainage systems
- Block wall suction where hollow concrete blocks are involved
- Crawl space encapsulation with passive or active ventilation
Our systems are built to Canadian standards — All our installations meet the C-NRPP standards for Canadian homes — so you can trust the solution is reliable and long-lasting, even through Calgary’s harsh winter months.
Average pricing in Calgary and influencing factors
The cost of a custom radon mitigation system in Calgary typically ranges from $2,500 to $3,500. Variables that can influence pricing include:
- Foundation design and age of the home
- Soil gas pressure and type (e.g., gravel, clay, sandstone)
- Interior layout and pipe routing complexity
- Power or fan requirements for continuous airflow
“Most Calgary mitigation systems range between $2,500 to $3,500, depending on home size and soil gas pressure.” – Calgary Radon Detection
Ultimately, the right solution is one that fits your home — not a one-size-fits-all kit.
DIY vs hiring a C-NRPP certified installer
While DIY radon mitigation kits are available, they fall short when it comes to engineered airflow, precise sealing, and guaranteed results. Calgary homes, with their cold climates and diverse construction styles, demand the attention of a certified radon professional trained in Canadian mitigation protocols. Certified installers:
- Ensure compliance with Health Canada and C-NRPP requirements
- Use diagnostic tools to map sub-slab pressure and airflow paths
- Offer warranties and post-installation monitoring
A professional solution doesn’t just reduce radon — it ensures long-term peace of mind for your family or your tenants.
Worried about radon? We’re offering no-cost testing for homes in Calgary and surrounding areas. Protect your health — book your free radon test today!
