Resources
Practical reference material to go alongside the Learn Hub.
Testing Guide
Short-term testing
2–7 days · Charcoal canister or electret detector, or a continuous radon monitor
Suits quick screening and real estate transactions, but may miss seasonal variation.
Long-term testing
90+ days · Alpha-track detector or continuous monitor
Preferred by Health Canada for accuracy, since it accounts for seasonal swings a short test can't see.
Testing should happen in the lowest livable level of the home, with windows and doors closed, away from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Mitigation Methods
- Sub-slab depressurization is the standard approach for most homes with a basement or slab foundation.
- Crawlspace foundations require a sealed membrane rather than a sub-slab suction point.
- Sealing cracks alone is a supplementary measure, not an effective standalone fix.
- Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) manage air exchange but aren't a reliable standalone radon solution.
System Maintenance
- Check the system's warning indicator (manometer or gauge) monthly.
- Listen for unusual fan noise quarterly — it can signal a failing fan before it fully stops.
- Have the system professionally serviced annually.
- Retest every two years to confirm the system is still holding levels down.
A well-maintained system typically lasts 15–20 years; fans may need replacement every 10–15 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's no federal mandate requiring a radon test before every sale, but Health Canada recommends every home be tested, and B.C. real estate transactions increasingly involve a radon disclosure or buyer request.
Yes. Tighter, more energy-efficient construction reduces natural air exchange, so if radon does get in, it has fewer ways to escape than in an older, draftier home. Newer isn't automatically safer.
Nothing. Radon exposure causes no immediate symptoms — no cough, no headache. The risk is a long-term increase in lung cancer risk after years of exposure, which is exactly why testing, not how you feel, is the only reliable way to know your level.
No. Radon levels drift over months and years with weather, soil moisture, and changes to the home. Health Canada recommends retesting every 2–5 years even after a safe result.