Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, and your exposure builds up along with your associated health risk. Cumulative radon exposure especially in homes with elevated levels increases your risk of lung cancer and its entirely preventable. This risk is even more significant for smokers, former smokers, and children, whose lungs are more vulnerable to radiation damage. With so much at stake, it’s essential that your reduction system is designed and installed with precision, using high-quality materials and proven radon mitigation strategies in Canada – by professionals with the experience to get it right the first time.
If you haven’t yet tested your home, you can order a radon test from our online store. Already know your levels are high? Learn more about our radon mitigation services and how we can help.
Common Radon Mitigation Techniques
Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in Canada and it’s entirely fixable. High radon levels can be fixed in any building. Whether you live in a century-old farmhouse, a brand-new infill, or a commercial unit with limited access and a complicated floor plan, there is always a solution. At RadonCare, we pride ourselves on successfully mitigating homes and buildings of all shapes, sizes, and construction styles including those with DIY renovations, crawl spaces, strip footings, in-floor heating, sump pits, suspended floors, and every quirk in between.
Rather than choosing a mitigation method off a menu, we tailor our design to your structure’s unique needs. Many factors influence this, whether soil conditions, foundation type, building usage, and even how additions were constructed. We draw from a toolbox of techniques, often using several in combination, to ensure your radon levels are brought as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle) and remain low over time.
Radon Reduction Strategies
- Sub-Slab Depressurization (SSD): The gold standard for most homes. This involves installing one or more suction points below your slab and using a radon fan to draw radon, other soil gases, humidity and odours safely outside.
- Sub-Membrane Encapsulation: For crawl spaces which require mitigation or for , we install a gas-impermeable membrane over the exposed earth or gravel, then draw radon from beneath it using active suction.
- Sump Pit Depressurization: In homes with sump basins, we can often integrate the pit into a depressurization system – provided it’s sealed and airtight. Learn more about sump sealing techniques
- Multiple Suction Points & Gophering: Larger homes or homes with multiple foundation sections may need more than one suction point, sometimes connected with short trenches or “gopher tunnels” beneath the slab to unify airflow beneath the structure. These additional points help us to extend the pressure field or air communication underneath the home and treat additional areas in the building.
- Perimeter Sealing: We seal penetrations, joints, perimeter cold joints, and other radon entry points to support active systems. While sealing alone won’t solve a radon issue, it enhances system efficiency and lowers the load on the fan.
- Hanging Furnaces: Many homes (especially in and around the Calgary area) were initiatly constructed with a hanging furnace as original HVAC work and home construction was completed. Unfortunately this building technique can inadvertantly increase the radon levels in the home leaving large open areas for radon entry, especially when connected to an active furnace exterting pressure on the aggegate below.
- Sub-slab Ductwork: While overall a rare occurence some homes were constructed with HVAC ductwork in the aggregate underneath the home prior to pouring the concrete. While initially this ductwork works quite well as the ductwork ages opportunities for cracks and gaps which draw soil gases into the home exist. While techniques required vary our experienced team has effectively reduced radon levels in these homes.
- HRV Balancing & Optimization: While an HRV or ERV (Heat Recovery Ventilator or Energy Recovery Ventilator) may help with air changes, we rarely recommend HRV/ERV-based radon mitigation. These systems often don’t reduce radon consistently across all seasons, floor levels or as low as they could be. These systems typically only activate above certain thresholds and can cost more in heating, electricity, and maintenance without offering the same sustained reduction as a properly designed SSD system.
*Note: Sealing Radon Alone Is Not Effective
It’s important to know: radon cannot be sealed out entirely. While sealing is a useful part of a comprehensive strategy, where there is a source for radon gas, it will find a pathway to enter and accumulate which is why we always pair sealing with active mitigation techniques. Sealing foundation cracks, openings around pipes, and other entry points can help reduce radon levels. While not a standalone solution, sealing can positively impact other mitigation strategies.
How Effective is Radon Mitigation in Reducing Radon Levels?
According to studies by Health Canada and other scientific bodies, these methods commonly lower indoor radon levels by a substantial margin. Independent tests frequently show reductions up to 95%, offering peace of mind and a healthier living environment.
How Does Radon Mitigation in Canada Differ?
Radon mitigation systems in Canada follow specific guidelines that differ slightly from those in the U.S., particularly when it comes to fan placement and vent discharge location. These standards are designed to prevent radon re-entry and protect neighbouring properties.
Can we install the mitigation system year round? Absolutely! The most Canadian of worries – will the technicians be able to complete the mitigation system during the winter? Yes. We install mitigation systems summer, fall, winter and in spring.
For a full breakdown of discharge requirements and what’s considered compliant here in Canada, check out our Radon Mitigation Discharge FAQ.
Post-Mitigation Questions?
Not sure what to expect after the tools have been packed away and the technicians have left? Here’s what to expect after your mitigation system has been installed.
Breathe Easy With A Healthier Home: Contact RadonCare
Radon gas exposure is a serious health hazard but exposure is entirely preventable. Need to test your home? Check out our webstore to purchase an approved home radon test or read more on our blog about selecting the right radon test for you. Already tested or have questions? Request a free quote for mitigation. Together, we can create safer, healthier homes for all Canadians. You may also learn about our refund return policy.
FAQ
AT WHAT LEVEL SHOULD RADON BE MITIGATED?
Health Canada recommends corrective actions for buildings with radon levels over 200 Bq/m³. The higher the levels of radon, the sooner you should take action.
WHERE DOES RADON COME FROM
Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas that results from decay of uranium. While it may sound like science fiction, uranium is found in all types of rocks and soils. Radon gas is present in all environments, indoors and outdoors and can enter through the smallest of entry points and accumulate in our outdoor spaces.
DO CEILING FANS REDUCE RADON?
Ceiling fans can help circulate air within your home, but you will need to run the fan with your windows and doors open to have any effect on the air quality itself. Simply running a ceiling fan without a place for air to escape will not lower radon levels in your home.