What is Radon and Why is it Dangerous?
If you’re a Calgary homeowner or property manager concerned about air quality, understanding radon exposure is critical. Radon gas is invisible, odourless, and radioactive—yet alarmingly common in Alberta homes. Long-term exposure can lead to serious health consequences, which is why recognizing the risks early and mitigating them effectively is vital for your household’s safety.
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.
Understanding radon gas origin
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water beneath the earth’s surface. As uranium decays underground, radon gets released into the soil and can migrate into homes through foundation breaches. Calgary’s bedrock composition makes the region particularly susceptible to elevated radon levels.
How it accumulates indoors
Once radon enters your home—typically through cracks, construction joints, or gaps in floors—it can accumulate in dangerous concentrations, especially in lower levels like basements. Poor ventilation and sealed windows during Calgary’s long winters worsen the indoor buildup, increasing health risks over time.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, right after smoking.
Health Canada’s classification of radon
According to Health Canada, any home with radon levels exceeding 200 Bq/m³ requires mitigation action. They classify radon as a Class A carcinogen in the same category as tobacco smoke and asbestos. Despite this, many Alberta homes remain undiagnosed, exposing residents to preventable risk.
Don’t underestimate what you can’t see—radon isn’t just a gas; it’s a threat next door.
How Radon Enters Your Home
Radon gas can seep into Calgary homes through basement cracks, making professional radon system installation essential for safety.
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.
You might be surprised at just how easily radon finds its way inside your home. In Calgary—especially older neighborhoods and newer builds with finished basements—the risk of radon intrusion is intensified by everything from construction type to seasonal temperature shifts. Knowing these entry points can help you make informed choices about radon mitigation and home safety.
Cracks in slabs and foundations
The most common entry points for radon gas are structural vulnerabilities like foundation cracks, slab gaps, and poorly sealed wall-floor joints. Even the tiniest fissure can act as an entrance for this radioactive gas. Homes built on concrete slabs or with below-grade basements in Calgary’s shifting soil conditions are particularly at risk.
Sump pumps and crawlspaces
Unsealed sump pits, pipe penetrations, and ventilated crawlspaces can serve as active pathways for soil gases to diffuse upward. Since crawlspaces typically lack tight sealing, radon can accumulate significantly before dispersing into living areas. In these settings, active radon mitigation becomes crucial for maintaining healthy air.
Building pressure differences
Calgary’s cold climate leads to notable indoor-outdoor air pressure differences, especially in winter. Warmer indoor air rises and escapes from the home’s upper levels, creating a vacuum effect in the basement that pulls in radon-laden soil gas from beneath the structure. This “stack effect” significantly enhances radon infiltration rates.
Calgary’s cold winters increase indoor air pressure differences, drawing in radon more aggressively.
Understanding how radon enters your living environment is the first step toward permanent mitigation.
Testing Your Home for Radon
A digital radon detector confirms low radon levels in a Calgary home, demonstrating effective radon system installation.
Concerned about radon but not sure where to begin? Accurate testing is the foundation of any radon mitigation plan. Whether you’re living in an older bungalow in NW Calgary or managing a multi-unit property downtown, identifying elevated radon levels starts with choosing the right testing method—and the trusted professionals who deliver precision results.
Short-term vs. long-term tests explained
Short-term radon tests typically run over a 2–7 day period and are useful for preliminary screening. However, radon levels fluctuate with weather, seasons, and home occupancy patterns. Long-term tests (90 days or more), especially during winter heating months, offer a more accurate reflection of year-round exposure—aligning better with Health Canada’s recommendations.
Why professional testing is more accurate
While DIY radon testing kits are available in retail stores, they often fail to account for the home’s unique layout, pressure differentials, and ventilation habits. Certified professionals like those at Calgary Radon Detection use high-precision continuous monitoring equipment and follow strict protocols, ensuring radon measurements reflect actual exposure risks.
Professional testing captures seasonal variations and indoor factors that test kits often miss.
Free professional testing in Calgary
To increase awareness and promote healthy living, Calgary Radon Detection provides no-cost radon testing for Calgary-area homeowners. With expert technicians assessing your home using certified monitoring devices, you gain peace of mind—and vital data to support any needed mitigation decisions.
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!
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Radon Mitigation Systems Explained
If you’re exploring how to rid your Calgary home of radon gas, understanding the right mitigation systems is the first step toward lasting protection. Every home is different, and Calgary’s unique soil composition and foundation types require specialized solutions. Whether you have a finished basement, crawlspace, or concrete slab foundation, knowing which radon reduction system works best can be the difference between safety and risk.
What is Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)?
ASD is the most effective and widely recommended radon mitigation system for Calgary homes. This method involves inserting a vent pipe system into the soil beneath your foundation, connected to a continuously running fan that actively draws radon gas from underneath your home and expels it safely above the roofline. By creating negative pressure in the soil, ASD systems prevent radon from infiltrating living spaces.
“ASD systems are the most effective and commonly installed systems in Calgary homes.” — Calgary Radon Detection Team
Sub-slab depressurization systems
This subset of ASD is ideal for homes with poured concrete foundations. A small hole is drilled through the slab, allowing the vent pipe to be inserted and sealed with caulking or radon-resistant materials. The fan system pulls gas from below the slab, and the sealed environment ensures minimal radon entry. These systems are highly efficient and relatively non-invasive for most residential buildings.
Crawlspace sealing and ventilation
In homes with vented or unvented crawlspaces, a combination of plastic sheeting (vapor barrier) and negative-pressure fans is used. The crawlspace is sealed to isolate it from the living areas, and a fan actively vents gas out. Proper system design here is critical — even small tears in a barrier can compromise performance, which is why this method is best left to certified professionals.
DIY vs. professional mitigation: safety and longevity
While DIY radon mitigation kits exist, they often fail due to inadequate sealing, incorrect fan sizing, or poor vent placement. Installing a certified system requires diagnostic testing, precise design, and code-compliant execution. Health Canada strongly recommends using C-NRPP certified radon professionals for mitigation.
“DIY mitigation attempts often fail due to poor sealing and incorrect fan placement.”
Take the guesswork out of your family’s safety—understand your options and choose the system that’s right for your Calgary home.
Radon System Installation Process
If you’re considering a home radon system installation in Calgary, understanding the process can give you peace of mind and confidence in the outcome. From initial inspection to clean-up and testing, here’s what to expect when you hire a certified specialist like Calgary Radon Detection for radon mitigation.
Inspection and system design
The process begins with a detailed home assessment. Technicians inspect foundation conditions, look for radon entry points such as cracks and sump pits, and perform short-term testing if needed. Based on radon levels and your home layout, a suitable mitigation plan is designed. This customized design ensures both code compliance and maximum radon reduction efficiency.
Installation timeline and techniques
Most radon mitigation systems are installed within 1–2 days. Installation includes drilling access points into the foundation slab or crawlspace, setting up piping, and installing a continuously running vent fan. The system is routed through existing chases where possible to preserve aesthetics, often exhausting via the roofline to comply with municipal standards.
“Installations typically take 1–2 days depending on foundation type.”
Typical costs for Calgary homes
While prices can vary depending on home size and structural complexity, the average cost of installing a residential radon system in Calgary ranges from $2,800 to $3,800. This includes materials, fan system, labor, sealing, and post-installation testing. Though a financial investment up front, the health benefits and long-term peace of mind are priceless.
“Average residential system costs range from $2,800–$3,800 in Calgary.”
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!
Maintenance and Monitoring of Radon Systems
Once your home’s radon mitigation system is installed, ongoing maintenance and monitoring ensure long-lasting protection for your family. Calgary homeowners should prioritize system health checks and retesting to verify continued effectiveness year after year.
Radon monitor brands and what they track
Digital radon monitors like Airthings and Safety Siren Pro are popular choices for Calgary residents. These devices track real-time and average radon levels, temperature, and humidity. High-end models offer app-based tracking and alerts, ensuring you’re always informed.
“A digital monitor like Airthings works year-round to ensure radon stays below safe thresholds.”
When to retest your home
Health Canada advises retesting radon levels every 2 years, or sooner if major renovations affect your basement or ventilation. Even perfectly installed systems can encounter environmental changes or wear and tear over time, and periodic checks can confirm continued safety.
“Most homes are retested every 2 years or after major renovations.”
How to identify fan failure or pipe issues
Common indicators of system malfunction include unusual noise from the fan, absence of airflow at the exhaust point, or rising radon levels on your digital monitor. Visual checks for cracks in pipes, loose fittings, or fan power loss should be done seasonally. If anything is amiss, contact a certified technician.
With proper care, your radon system will protect your home for decades—stay proactive and keep your family safe.
Choosing a Radon Mitigation Contractor in Calgary
Hiring the right radon mitigation contractor in Calgary is critical—your home’s air quality and your family’s health depend on it. Knowing which credentials to look for and the right questions to ask can help you make an informed decision that ensures lasting results.
What to look for in a certified radon specialist
Always opt for a contractor certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). Certification ensures they follow Health Canada’s strict guidelines for design, installation, and follow-up testing. Look for clear documentation, insurance, references, and system warranties in writing.
“Always ask if your installer is C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program)-certified.”
Questions to ask before hiring
- Are you C-NRPP certified?
- Do you provide post-installation testing?
- What kind of system warranty do you offer?
- Can you provide references from other Calgary clients?
- Do you handle permits and code compliance?
The value of local experience in Calgary homes
Contractors experienced with Calgary’s foundation styles—from older homes in Mount Royal to new builds in Mahogany—understand common radon entry points and how to navigate frozen soils during winter installs. Local expertise goes a long way in crafting a system tailored to the structure and climate of Calgary homes.
“Local contractors understand foundation types common in Calgary and adapt systems accordingly.”
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!
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