What Is Radon and Why Is It a Health Concern?
As a Calgary homeowner or property manager, understanding the dangers of radon gas is essential for protecting your family’s health. Often undetectable without proper testing, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes—particularly in basements and lower floors. According to Health Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country, right after smoking. In fact, over 1 in 6 homes in Calgary exceed the safe radon threshold of 200 Bq/m³, making this an urgent indoor air quality issue for many neighborhoods across the city.
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.
Where radon gas comes from
Radon is produced from the natural decay of uranium found in soil, rock, and groundwater. Calgary’s geology, with its sedimentary bedrock and clay-rich soils, makes the region especially vulnerable. Once formed, the gas seeps upward through porous earth and can enter homes through openings in the foundation, collecting over time to dangerous levels if not properly mitigated.
What is alpha particle radiation?
When radon decays, it emits alpha particles—a form of ionizing radiation. Though these particles cannot penetrate skin, they are hazardous when inhaled. Inside the lungs, radon progeny attach to tissue, emitting radiation that can cause direct DNA damage. This cellular disruption is a key factor in the development of lung cancer among long-term radon exposure cases in residential environments.
Radon’s link to lung cancer risk
Long-term radon exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, even more so for smokers. Health Canada estimates that radon is responsible for approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths annually, with many of those influenced by indoor accumulation. Because radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, routine testing is the only reliable method to assess and manage this risk in homes throughout Calgary.
Don’t underestimate radon’s silent threat—learning where it originates and how it harms the body is the first step in safeguarding your indoor air quality.
How Radon Enters Calgary Homes
Radon typically enters Calgary homes from the soil beneath the foundation, especially during colder months when buildings are tightly sealed. Most homeowners are unaware that the same cracks, joints, and utility openings that let in moisture or cold can also serve as radon entry points. Calgary’s freeze-prone climate and foundation types—often slab-on-grade or full basements—can put properties at higher risk for radon infiltration, particularly in older or unsealed homes.
Cracks in foundation slabs or walls
Structural flaws such as small cracks in basement slabs, wall-floor joints, or around service pipes can allow radon to seep inside. Given Calgary’s seasonal ground movement (frost heave and soil settling), these gaps can expand over time, enabling continuous radon entry even in newer builds. Radon concentrations are typically highest in basements and enclosed crawlspaces—areas with the least ventilation and closest contact with the soil.
Sump pump pits and crawl spaces
Openings like sump wells and untreated crawlspaces act as direct channels for radon gas. Water mitigation systems without airtight lids or vented crawlspaces without sealing barriers provide easy paths for radon to rise into living areas. Given the number of homes in Calgary with basements and pump systems due to seasonal runoff, these are high-priority risk zones for indoor radon accumulation.
Seasonal changes and pressure differences
Radon entry is largely influenced by pressure differentials between indoor and outdoor air. In winter, heated indoor air rises and escapes through the upper levels of the house, creating a vacuum effect (the stack effect) that pulls radon-laced soil gas upward. During Calgary’s long, sealed winters, this effect becomes more pronounced—leading to elevated radon levels in homes with otherwise small openings.
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.
Radon enters from the soil through openings in your home’s lowest level—often unnoticed. Calgary winters increase indoor radon levels due to closed ventilation and stack effect.
Identifying how radon infiltrates your Calgary property is critical—especially before sealing mistakes become health risks.
Testing for Radon in Calgary: Professional vs DIY
Before you can protect against radon, you need to know it’s there—and how much of it. Calgary homeowners often ask whether to use an at-home test kit or call a certified professional. The answer comes down to accuracy, reliability, and peace of mind. While both options can detect radon, only certified testing provides detailed, actionable insight that aligns with Health Canada’s remediation criteria—especially in a local market where up to 20% of homes test above acceptable limits.
How a continuous radon monitor works
Professional radon detection typically involves a continuous radon monitor (CRM), which tracks radon levels hourly over a 5- to 7-day period. These C-NRPP-approved devices are strategically placed in your home’s lowest livable area and provide minute-by-minute data. This high-resolution tracking captures fluctuations during day-night cycles, appliance usage, and temperature changes, giving a realistic snapshot of actual exposure risk within the Calgary climate and home style.
Problems with DIY radon test kits
While DIY radon kits from hardware stores offer affordability, they often come with limitations: short-term testing biases, mishandling during shipment, and lack of calibration. In Calgary’s variable atmospheric pressure and winter ventilation patterns, short-term kits may miss critical high-emission periods. Moreover, they rarely meet the guidelines set by national radon programs, leaving you uncertain and unprotected despite your efforts.
Why certified testing is more reliable
Hiring a certified radon professional ensures not only accurate measurements but also informed recommendations based on regional norms and mitigation strategies. At Calgary Radon Detection, we use commercial-grade monitors that identify radon concentrations in real time—ensuring data meets diagnostic standards for both residential and multifamily properties. With full reporting and analysis tailored to your property, you’re not just testing—you’re building a safer indoor environment backed by science and regulation.
We use C-NRPP-approved professional-grade monitors for precise 5- to 7-day readings. Professional radon tests provide real-time hourly data—something DIY kits can’t offer.
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!
Radon Removal: How Mitigation Works in Calgary Homes
A professionally installed sub-slab depressurization system ensures effective radon removal for Calgary homes.
If you’re searching for ways to safely remove radon from your home in Calgary, you’re not alone. With many properties testing above Health Canada’s recommended levels, it’s crucial to understand how radon mitigation systems work and what methods deliver lasting results. This guide reveals the top mitigation techniques trusted by certified professionals across Calgary.
Sub-slab depressurization: Calgary’s #1 method
Sub-slab depressurization is the gold standard for radon mitigation in Calgary. This technique involves installing a suction point beneath the foundation slab to redirect radon gas safely outside before it enters your living space. A fan creates negative pressure under the slab, effectively venting dangerous levels of radon out through a PVC pipe system.
Sub-slab depressurization can reduce radon levels by over 90% when installed professionally
This method is highly effective in Calgary’s geology, which typically includes gravel-rich soils that allow radon to accumulate. When performed by a C-NRPP certified contractor, sub-slab mitigation consistently brings radon readings below 100 Bq/m³—well under Health Canada’s 200 Bq/m³ threshold.
Sealing foundation cracks & HVAC integration
Sealing cracks and openings in your foundation complements active mitigation systems by reducing radon entry points. Professional-grade polyurethane sealants are commonly used in Calgary basements to target high-risk leakage areas. For homes with central HVAC systems, radon-resistant upgrades—such as pressure balancing and inline HEPA filters—can be integrated for added protection.
- Sealing gaps in sump lids, floor-wall joints, and utility penetrations
- Combining passive sealing with active suction for optimal results
- Ensuring HVAC systems do not inadvertently redistribute radon-laden air
Ventilation upgrades for healthier airflow
For Calgary homes where sub-slab systems are not feasible—like those with crawl spaces or complex basement layouts—HVAC and mechanical ventilation improvements can significantly reduce radon concentrations. HRVs (heat recovery ventilators) not only improve air exchange but also help dilute indoor radon, leading to safer long-term exposure levels.
Each mitigation plan is tailored to the unique structure of the Calgary home, ensuring that the chosen solution fits both the building’s design and the homeowner’s comfort.
Mitigation is never one-size-fits-all—working with a local, certified expert ensures your system is engineered for maximum safety and efficiency.
Who Can You Trust for Radon Mitigation in Calgary?
A certified radon removal specialist from Calgary Radon Detection explains a newly installed radon mitigation system to a satisfied homeowner.
Choosing the right professional for radon mitigation is critical. Calgary residents need assurance that their contractor is qualified, reliable, and certified to handle radon safely. This section outlines what to look for in a radon contractor—and how Calgary Radon Detection measures up.
What is C-NRPP certification?
C-NRPP stands for the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program. It’s the only Health Canada-recognized credentialing body for radon professionals. Contractors with this certification are trained in the most current testing and mitigation standards and are regularly audited to ensure compliance.
Calgary Radon Detection is fully certified under Canada’s National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP)
This means your home’s safety is handled by experts who follow proven best practices—offering both peace of mind and optimal radon reduction results.
Key questions to ask your radon contractor
- Are you C-NRPP certified?
- Can you provide before-and-after radon test results?
- What type of system would best suit my home?
- Do you offer post-mitigation retesting and monitoring?
- Is your work covered by a performance guarantee?
Asking these questions helps separate inexperienced contractors from certified professionals with proven local expertise.
Local testimonials and mitigation success stories
Thousands of Calgary homes have already been made safer thanks to professional mitigation. Take John from SE Calgary, for example:
“My home radon levels went from 650 Bq/m³ down to just 38 Bq/m³ after Calgary Radon Detection installed our system. I sleep better knowing my family is safe.”
Stories like John’s demonstrate the measurable impact experienced contractors can make in protecting local families from this invisible hazard.
Don’t leave something as critical as your indoor air safety to chance—choose certified local experts who are backed by results.
After Mitigation: Retesting and Long-Term Monitoring
Advanced radon detection and monitoring technology ensures safe indoor air quality in Calgary homes.
Mitigation doesn’t end when the system is installed—post-installation retesting and ongoing monitoring are essential for continued protection. Calgary homeowners need to verify their radon levels stay well below Health Canada thresholds through careful follow-up steps.
When and how to retest for radon
It’s recommended to retest your radon levels within 30–90 days after mitigation to confirm effectiveness. This is typically done using long-term alpha track tests placed in the lowest livable area of your home. After confirmation, retesting should occur at least every two years—or sooner if you renovate or upgrade HVAC systems.
Health Canada recommends retesting two years after mitigation—and again if changing HVAC systems
Calgary’s seasonal shifts also mean that winter testing can provide the most accurate measurement due to lower ventilation rates.
Smart monitors for peace of mind
Continuous radon monitors—like those from AirThings or RadonEye—now allow Calgary residents to track radon levels in real-time. These Wi-Fi-enabled devices provide alerts via smartphone apps and store historical data for trends analysis.
With smart monitoring, families stay alerted to any rises in radon, giving them the power to act quickly if levels spike after construction or environmental shifts.
Seasonal radon fluctuations in Calgary
Due to Calgary’s harsh winters and tightly sealed homes during cold months, radon levels often rise between November and March. This is why professionals recommend both mitigation and ongoing monitoring strategies tailored to Alberta’s climate.
- Winter months show the highest indoor radon concentrations
- Basement usage increases exposure risk in colder seasons
- Smart monitoring helps you stay ahead of seasonal changes
Keep your home radon-safe year-round by combining expert mitigation with smart, continuous monitoring tools.
Get Started with Certified Radon Removal in Calgary
A Calgary family enjoys peace of mind at home after radon removal and air quality improvements.
You’ve learned the risks, the solutions, and what to expect—now it’s time to take control of your home’s air quality. Calgary Radon Detection makes it easy to get started with expert testing, honest analysis, and proven mitigation.
What to expect when you contact us
From the first call or email, our team guides you through each step:
- Scheduling a free radon test at your convenience
- Installation of a Health Canada-approved test unit
- Detailed results and mitigation recommendations within 7 days
- No-pressure conversations and transparent pricing
Our free expert test includes setup, data analysis, and a no-pressure action plan
Areas we serve around Calgary
In addition to central Calgary, we proudly assist homeowners in:
- Airdrie and Chestermere
- Okotoks and Cochrane
- Springbank, Bragg Creek, and surrounding rural areas
We’ve helped hundreds of Calgary homeowners achieve safe indoor air in under two weeks
Why professional testing makes the difference
DIY kits often lack accuracy and calibration. Our certified team uses laboratory-grade devices that deliver trustworthy data—allowing you to make confident decisions. Whether you’re in a condo downtown or a two-storey in Tuscany, trust our professionals to get it right the first time.
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!
