What is Radon and Why is it a Concern in Calgary?
As a Calgary homeowner or property manager, it’s crucial to understand why radon gas poses a hidden yet serious health risk—especially in your basement. Alberta’s geology combined with household air pressure imbalances makes properties across Calgary susceptible to elevated radon levels. Whether you’re planning renovations or simply aiming to protect your family, recognizing radon’s nature and behavior is your first step in prevention.
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What is Radon Gas and How It Forms
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. It’s invisible, odorless, and tasteless—yet it can easily infiltrate indoor environments through foundation cracks, floor drains, or gaps around service pipes. Radon tends to accumulate in lower areas of buildings, especially basements, where ventilation is limited and pressure differentials draw soil gases upward.
Health Risks: Lung Cancer and Prolonged Exposure
Once inhaled, radon decay products release radiation that can damage lung tissue over time. This cumulative damage may result in lung cancer—even in non-smokers. In fact, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, after smoking, according to Health Canada. Children and the elderly face heightened vulnerability due to more frequent exposure indoors.
Why Calgary’s Geology Increases Risk
Calgary’s underlying bedrock and glacial soils are rich in uranium, which amplifies natural radon emission. When combined with cold winters that drive homeowners to tightly seal buildings—reducing ventilation—the risk greatly increases. Health Canada and C-NRPP-certified experts consistently report that elevated radon levels affect nearly 1 in 2 Calgary homes, regardless of age or construction type.
Local Insight: Homeowners in established Calgary neighborhoods like Canyon Meadows and Brentwood have detected radon levels well above recommended safety thresholds, even in well-maintained properties.
Remember: Knowing that Calgary has one of the highest radon potentials in Canada empowers you to test, monitor, and mitigate risk effectively.
How Renovations Affect Radon Exposure
Planning a basement renovation in Calgary? It’s important to remember that upgrades can unintentionally increase radon exposure by altering your home’s structure, airflow, and pressure dynamics. Understanding how these construction changes create new radon entry points helps you avoid elevated levels post-renovation—and ensures any energy-efficient improvements don’t come at the cost of indoor air safety.
Common Renovation Activities That Increase Risk
Basement remodeling activities such as installing sump pumps, floor drains, or in-floor heating systems often involve cutting into or altering the concrete slab. Each penetration becomes a potential entryway for radon gas. Similarly, finishing a previously open basement reduces fresh airflow, allowing radon concentrations to build rapidly.
“Cutting into foundation slabs, adding sump pumps, or floor drains can create open pathways for radon gas.”
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- Framing new walls against foundation surfaces
- Adding new HVAC zones or ductwork
- Sealing windows or improving insulation
Impact of Foundation Work on Soil Gas Flow
Excavations, underpinning, or structural repairs beneath or around the basement slab disturb soil gas equilibrium. These changes can actually redirect radon gas flows toward your home’s interior. Even sealing cracks without proper radon evaluation can trap gas beneath the slab, building pressure that finds its way in elsewhere.
Mitigators often see higher indoor radon levels following improperly planned DIY foundation work, especially in older homes across inner-city Calgary.
Altered Air Pressure and New Radon Entry Points
Finishings like new exhaust fans and well-sealed walls lower the interior air pressure—creating a vacuum-like effect that pulls radon from the ground. Known as the “stack effect,” this phenomenon is magnified in winter, where temperature and pressure differences between indoors and outdoors are most extreme.
“Basement renovations often alter air pressure, unintentionally drawing more radon from the soil.”
Expert Reminder: Any change to a basement’s envelope—flooring, walls, plumbing, or HVAC—must be paired with updated radon testing and consultation with C-NRPP professionals.
Mitigation Options for Renovated Basements
If you’ve recently renovated your basement or plan to, understanding your mitigation options is essential—especially with rising Calgary radon levels. Renovations often shift air pressure, seal new radon entry points, or disturb foundations, making post-reno mitigation a smart, proactive move. Whether you’re a homeowner in Bridgeland or managing multiple rental units in Nolan Hill, radon safety must be a cornerstone of your modernization efforts.
Sub-slab depressurization systems: active vs. passive
Sub-slab depressurization is the gold standard in radon mitigation for Calgary homes. There are two main types:
- Passive systems involve vent pipes that allow radon gas to escape without mechanical assistance. They’re built into newer homes but are less effective after renovations that alter pressure dynamics.
- Active systems utilize a fan to pull radon from beneath the slab and vent it above the roofline. This method is highly effective in post-reno scenarios, especially when renovations include new flooring or foundation changes.
Active sub-slab systems reduce radon levels by up to 99%, according to Health Canada.
Sealing and ventilation: which ones work?
Properly sealing cracks in floors and walls helps to minimize radon entry, but it’s not enough on its own. Air pressure differentials caused during renovations can actually draw more radon in if only sealing is used. Augmenting this with balanced ventilation—like HRVs (heat recovery ventilators)—can help dilute and exhaust radon indoors. However, only when combined with an active mitigation system do these solutions significantly reduce radon risks in finished basements.
Case study: Calgary bungalow retrofitted post-renos
In Cranston, a homeowner noticed radon levels spiked to 480 Bq/m³ after their basement suite was fully finished. We installed an active sub-slab system that brought levels down to 40 Bq/m³—well below Health Canada’s 200 Bq/m³ guideline. The transformation not only made the space safer but increased its rental appeal.
Choosing the right radon mitigation system after basement renovations in Calgary is not just a safety measure—it’s an investment in long-term peace of mind.
Why Choose a Certified Radon Professional
After major renovations, you don’t want to leave radon testing or mitigation to chance. Hiring a certified radon expert ensures every air sample, slab penetration, or subfloor vent meets national safety standards. In Calgary, where radon problems can vary by elevation and soil type, trusting a C-NRPP certified professional is simply non-negotiable.
Why C-NRPP certification is crucial for radon work
The Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) is the national authority on radon measurement and mitigation. C-NRPP certified professionals are trained in best practices for identifying hidden radon entry points, installing sub-slab depressurization systems, and interpreting air data accurately. This means you’re not getting guesswork—you’re getting science-based, code-compliant service tailored for Calgary basements.
All of our technicians are C-NRPP Certified — the national standard for radon professionals.
Calgary Radon Detection: who we are and how we help
At Calgary Radon Detection, we specialize in radon testing and mitigation throughout Calgary, AB—including communities like Tuscany, Auburn Bay, and Kensington. Using professional-grade equipment and continuous monitoring systems, we detect short- and long-term spikes, especially after home renovations that alter air pressure or disturb foundations.
Expert qualifications, service areas, and local testimonials
Our team includes licensed radon measurement experts, contractors familiar with Calgary soil conditions, and local inspectors trained in city-specific building codes. With over 500 Calgary families served, our reputation is built on results:
- “After renos, our radon was dangerously high. Calgary Radon Detection brought it down safely and quickly.” – Hillhurst homeowner
- “The team explained everything clearly—testing, options, and timelines. We felt confident throughout.” – Varsity resident
Book a certified radon inspection with Calgary Radon Detection today—protect your newly renovated space and everyone in it.
Renovation Boom in Calgary: Why Homeowners Must Act Now
The real estate and renovation boom sweeping across Calgary post-pandemic has transformed homes—but also unearthed a silent health threat: elevated radon gas levels. If you’re restoring an older home in Ramsay or finishing out a Kensington suite, now is the time to test radon levels before your upgrades lock in unhealthy air.
Calgary home renovation trends by year
City permit data shows a 27% increase in basement finishes and structural renos across Calgary since 2022. Communities like Seton and Evanston have seen a surge in basement suites, secondary entrances, slab excavations, and new HVAC layouts—all of which impact how radon enters your home and circulates inside.
Basement renos are up 27% across Calgary post-2022, according to local permit data.
Why 2024–2025 is a critical period for radon awareness
Renovation activity spikes in fall and winter—a time when windows are closed, and radon levels accumulate fastest. What’s more, untested renos can trap radon beneath freshly sealed floors, new insulation, or behind drywall. With the city’s average radon levels above national norms, homeowners cannot afford to overlook radon testing before and after finishing their basements.
Early mitigation = safer and more affordable homes
Homeowners who include radon detection in their renovation planning often avoid costly retrofits later. Early mitigation allows integrated piping, fan placement, and precise venting during construction—saving time, money, and stress. Plus, documented mitigation improves resale value and health confidence for future buyers.
Most homeowners wait until symptoms hit—testing early avoids costly mistakes and health risks.
Renovating soon? Schedule a pre-reno radon test today with Calgary Radon Detection before you seal in unsafe air.
Conclusion and Call to Action: Test Before and After Reno
Now that you know what’s at risk and what solutions exist, it’s clear: your renovation timeline must include radon testing. Whether you’ve already knocked down walls or are just sketching a new floorplan, you have the power to act early and create a healthy home for years to come.
Quick checklist: test timing + mitigation steps
- Before starting renos: Test radon baseline levels so you know starting conditions.
- During construction: Monitor any major structural or foundation changes.
- Immediately after reno: Retest to identify radon spikes before occupying.
- Hire certified experts: Use C-NRPP professionals for safe, lasting mitigation.
Benefits of early radon risk detection and planning
Integrated mitigation costs less, works better, and ensures improved indoor air quality without post-construction headaches. Early radon detection also prevents health concerns such as long-term lung exposure linked to carcinogenic radon particles—especially critical for families with children or elderly residents.
One small test today protects your family’s health for years to come.
Next step: Calgary’s trusted testing and mitigation experts
Calgary Radon Detection brings together certified radon specialists, advanced testing equipment, and localized mitigation solutions for Calgary’s diverse homes. From Inglewood to Mahogany, we’ve helped homeowners ensure their upgraded basements are not only beautiful—but also safe.
Protect your home from hidden radon dangers—book a certified test before renovations begin. Calgary Radon Detection is here to help.
