1. My Home Has Tested High For Radon - Now What??

The next thing is, to talk to a professional mitigator; properly trained, certified and insured. That is where C-NRPP comes in. The Canadian-National Radon Proficiency Program is the only Health Canada recognized training and certification body. They certify individuals that have taken the training, passed the exams and then request licensing. Individuals must consistently work in the business and carry proper insurance. Re-certification is required every 2 years. A list of certified individuals is available by searching C-NRPP on line.

It is really, really wise to check a company reviews at BBB (Better Business Bureau) or “Google Reviews”. Unfortunately, there are numerous companies out there who believe they can do this work or claim to be certified when they are not. The problem is, they do not know, what they do not know, if they have not been properly trained. This is a trade in itself, very different than any other trade. (Example: Plumbing, Heating or Basement Repair)

2. I would like to get my home tested. What should I do?

Testing & Measurement options depend on the type of property and the purpose for testing:

Purchase a DIY test kit: This method would be for testing ones own home over 90 days where you just want to know an accurate long term average. You are not very concerned about extremely high levels. It is a one time use device that is forwarded to a lab to analyses and send you a written report. (These are a minimal cost at $70.00 and include the lab analysis fee.)

Purchase a Continuous Radon Monitor: These are devices such as a Corentium Home (Air Thing) which if you are concerned about high levels which often occur in Southern Saskatchewan and especially the City of Regina, you might consider. These devices will provide short and long term readings in a digital form right on the device starting in a day or so. The benefit of this type of device is that you will find out quickly if your home happens to be one that has significantly elevated radon levels. The device can be used in different parts of the home and is completely re-usable and can be offered to other homes for testing.

This type of device can be unreliable on a short term as radon fluctuates widely from, hour -to-hour, day-to-day, month-to-month, or season-to-season. If the short term says low radon, you simply must understand you need to continue to use it for a longer term 30 to better yet 90 days. (Corentium Home Air Thing devices cost about $180.00 plus tax)

In-Home Professional Short Term Radon Potential Analysis: Master Radon will come to potentially high risk homes and do a quick analysis to determine if your home is showing evidence of really high radon levels. This involves numerous 20 minute simultaneous tests throughout the lower level. It also includes answers all radon related questions. This service will be provided “Free of Charge” to qualifying home owners. Call to find out if your home qualifies. (most do). There is no obligation to do or pay for any further product or service. (Option 3 therefore is no cost. It is simply hoped that should mitigation be required in future that Master Radon will be given an opportunity to quote the work)

Radon Testing for Real Estate Transactions: This type of testing provides an impartial 3rd party method of testing for radon as a condition of sale when purchasing/selling homes. A written report can be provided in less than a week. (The cost of this service in the Regina area is $350.00 and may require a follow up long term test).

Please contact Master Radon to discuss testing options!

3. Is there a quick method for testing?

Although less reliable, testing can be undertaken short term for the purpose of finding out quickly if you are one of the many homes with really high radon levels. Continuous radon monitors such as the “Air Thing” or “Air Thing Wave” and others are readily available through retailers or on line. These cost about $180.00 and are completely re-usable over and over for years. These devices will provide readings within 2 days which (if levels are really high) may prompt you to have your radon mitigated sooner than later.

This type of tester however if indicating low or border line cannot be trusted on short term. Its possible that you are testing in a period when radon is low but could be very much different in a couple days or next week due to the nature of radon levels changing rapidly. Low results simply mean you must test longer (3 months again is desirable).

4. Are there indicators that might suggest my home will test high?

There definitely are indicators. Here is a list of the top 10.

• A new sewer back-flow valve has been installed.
• Cast iron sewer lines have been replaced under the concrete floor.
• The sewer line to the city property has been replaced.
• There are 1 or more sump pits with or without sump pumps.
• The floor in the basement is wooden.
• The concrete basement floor is badly cracked.
• The foundation and/or basement floor has been levelled by some jacking method. (Slab Jacking or Spray Foam)
• New weeping tile has been installed (either inside or outside the home).
• The basement walls are cracked.
• My home has a crawlspace.

5. How is radon mitigated (Reduced)?

The theory of how radon is lowered is, that radon needs to be provided a alternate route of travel to atmosphere than through a home. This is accomplished in some form, by depressurization of the air in the soil below the home.

Air in soil (naturally) is a higher pressure than air in atmosphere (sky) or in a home. Radon is simply trying to go to atmosphere because of that pressure differential. However sometimes it finds it easier to just enter into the home, due to that air pressure differential.

To intercept radon before it enters the home one must provide an even lower air pressure point where the radon will more easily migrate to and be directed by a fan and piping to atmosphere. This is done in various ways depending upon the style of the home. (Example: Full basement, crawlspace, slab on grade, etc) It is a complex building science to achieve good and safe results and proper training is critical to effective and safe systems.

6. Do “Air Exchangers” work for removing radon?

Air exchangers are a great tool for improving air quality in a home if the source of the poor air is from within the home. (Example: Human odor, cooking odor or humidity from showers, etc.) Air exchangers will also help to improve radon levels to some extent. The problem with air exchangers for lowering radon significantly is that they are simply trying to improve the radon that has already entered into the home.

Radon Mitigation Systems are designed to prevent radon from coming into the home in the first place and are therefore much more efficient at reducing radon levels. Radon Systems have the side benefit of preventing odor and humidity as well from coming into the home from the soil below the home.

One further benefit reported is, that crawly type bugs from soil and weeping tiles are also prevented from entering the home.

7. How much do Radon Mitigation Systems Cost?

Of course, it depends on the home style and what needs to be done based on diagnostics. The average cost in Canada per home is $3,000.00. Complete Systems in Regina usually cost between $2,600.00 and $3,200.00. Homes with crawlspaces can add significantly however to the cost of a system depending on many factors.

8. Can sump pits just be sealed to stop radon from coming in?

It can definitely help sometimes, but unfortunately it doesn’t work well due to the fact that radon is coming into the home at an air pressure higher than in the home and stopping it coming in at one spot simply redirects it to the next easiest spot. The next easiest spot often is between the concrete floor and the concrete wall which is usually not accessible for sealing as it is behind a finished wall.

9. Do newer homes have radon problems?

Yes, but not usually extremely high levels. Any age of home can have elevated radon levels. All homes need to be tested.

10. My neighbours has been found to have high radon levels. Does that mean my home will be high too?

No, homes built similarly at the same time may be totally different for radon. The only way to know is to test.

11. Who qualifies for the in-home radon potential risk analysis?

1. My home has at least 2 or more of the “Top Ten Radon Potential Indicators”
2. The home must be in Regina (or be willing to pay a trip fee only, of $1.00 per KM each way from Regina).
3. Be available for daytime appointments (last one being at 2:00 PM)
4. There is no obligation to buy anything. It is only hoped that if and when your home needs a radon mitigation that Master Radon be given an opportunity to quote the work.
5. Long term, Health Canada approved radon test kits will be made available at the time of visit for the cost of $70.00 (tax in). Again, there is no obligation to purchase.
6. Go to “Contact Us” to obtain further information!