Your Radon Questions, Answered:
Straight From the Experts
Radon is one of the most serious – and most overlooked – health risks facing Canadian homeowners. Whether you’ve just heard about radon for the first time or you’ve already received a concerning test result and aren’t sure what to do next, you’ve come to the right place. At Radon Doctors, we believe that an informed homeowner is a protected homeowner, which is why we’ve put together a comprehensive FAQ list of the most common inquiries we receive.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about radon, testing, mitigation, and more? We’re always happy to explain the science.
Why is radon dangerous?
The real danger with radon happens when you breathe it in over an extended period of time. When radon gas is inhaled, it decays inside your lungs and releases alpha particles, which are highly energetic radioactive particles that can damage the DNA in lung tissue cells. This DNA damage, accumulated over months and years of exposure, can lead to mutations that trigger the development of lung cancer.
Radon is officially classified as the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in Canada and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, responsible for approximately 3,200 Canadian deaths every year. The risk increases significantly when radon exposure is combined with cigarette smoking, making mitigation even more critical for smokers or households with smokers. The danger is entirely preventable – which is why testing and mitigation exist.
Is radon a problem in Calgary and Alberta?Â
Yes, radon is a very serious and well-documented concern across Alberta – Calgary in particular sits in one of the highest-risk regions in the country. Alberta’s geology is rich in uranium-bearing soils and bedrock, which means the conditions for radon production are consistently present beneath homes and buildings throughout the province.
Health Canada’s cross-Canada radon measurement surveys have repeatedly shown that Alberta has among the highest proportion of homes exceeding the 200 Bq/m³ guideline of any province.
In some Calgary-area communities, studies have found that more than 20% of tested homes had radon levels above the recommended action level. This is not a minor or isolated issue – it’s a widespread public health concern that affects a significant number of Alberta households.
How does radon enter my home?
Radon enters homes through the path of least resistance – meaning any gap, crack, or opening that connects the interior of your home is vulnerable. Common entry points include cracks in concrete foundation walls and floors, gaps around service pipes and utility penetrations, construction joints where different materials meet, sump pits and floor drains, and even through porous concrete block walls.
The driving force behind radon entry is a pressure difference. The air pressure inside most homes is slightly lower than the pressure in the soil beneath, which makes it act like a vacuum, drawing radon-laden soil gas upward and into the living space. This “stack effect” is especially pronounced in colder months when heating systems pull warm air upward and out of the home, creating an even stronger negative pressure at the foundation level.
Homes with basements, crawl spaces, or slab-on-grade foundations are all susceptible, though entry points and concentrations will differ. Understanding how radon enters is key to designing an effective mitigation strategy.
Which floors of my home have the highest radon levels?
Radon concentrations are consistently highest in the lowest levels of a home because radon enters from the soil below and accumulates where airflow is most restricted. Basements, crawl spaces, and ground-floor areas directly in contact with or adjacent to the foundation typically have the greatest exposure risk.
As you move to upper floors, radon levels naturally dilute due to increased distance from the source and greater air mixing with the home’s overall ventilation. However, this doesn’t mean upper floors are entirely safe – in homes with very high basement levels, radon can still migrate upward to main and upper floors through stairwells, ductwork, and interior openings.
Can I tell if my home has radon without a test?
No – in fact, this is what makes radon so uniquely dangerous compared to many other household hazards. Radon is completely invisible and has no smell, no taste, and no physical sensation associated with its presence, even at very high concentrations. There are no warning signs, no health symptoms in the short term, and no environmental clues that would tip you off to elevated radon levels in your home. Even long-term radon-related lung damage doesn’t present with obvious symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed, which is why radon is often called a “silent killer.”
The only reliable, scientifically valid way to determine your home’s radon level is through proper testing using a calibrated radon detector placed in your home for the appropriate duration of time.
Are newer homes safe from radon?Â
This is one of the most common misconceptions about radon – that newer, well-built homes are somehow immune. The truth is that radon can affect any home, regardless of age, construction style, or how modern the building materials are. In fact, newer homes can sometimes have higher radon levels because they are built to be more airtight and energy-efficient, reducing the natural air exchange that would otherwise dilute radon concentrations.
When is the best time of year to test for radon?
The optimal period for radon testing is October through April – the colder months when Canadian homes are sealed up tighter with windows closed and heating systems running. During this time, the pressure dynamics that drive radon entry into homes are at their most active, and reduced ventilation means radon has less opportunity to escape or dilute before being measured. Testing during spring or summer, when windows are frequently open and conditions are warmer, can result in artificially lower readings that don’t reflect the true risk your family faces during the majority of the year.
What happens after I get my radon test results?
Once your test is complete, Radon Doctors provides you with a clear, easy-to-understand report that outlines your radon concentration level and what it means for your household’s health risk.
- If your results come in below 200 Bq/m³, we recommend retesting every 2–5 years, or after any major renovations that could affect your home’s foundation or ventilation characteristics.
- If results come in at or above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action within 2 years, and sooner if levels are significantly elevated – for example, at or above 600 Bq/m³, action is recommended within 1 year.
Radon Doctors will walk you through all available mitigation options, explain the expected outcome of each approach, and recommend the most effective solution based on your home’s specific construction and conditions. We believe in transparent, pressure-free consultations.
What is radon mitigation?
Radon mitigation refers to the process of reducing indoor radon concentrations to below Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³, ideally as low as practically achievable. Mitigation is not a single one-size-fits-all solution – it encompasses a range of techniques and system designs tailored to a home’s specific construction type, foundation, soil conditions, and radon entry points. The most effective and widely recommended mitigation method is Active Soil Depressurization (ASD).
At Radon Doctors, every mitigation project begins with a thorough diagnostic assessment to understand how radon is entering the home and what system design will be most effective. Our approach is rooted in environmental science and engineering, meaning we don’t just install systems – we design solutions that deliver measurable, lasting results.
How effective is radon mitigation?
When professionally designed and properly installed, Active Soil Depressurization systems are extraordinarily effective – typically reducing indoor radon levels by 80–99% in a single installation.
In our experience, properly engineered systems consistently bring radon levels well below the 200 Bq/m³ guideline, with many achieving levels below 50 Bq/m³ or even lower. We don’t consider a job complete until post-installation testing confirms that target levels have been achieved. If results don’t meet expectations, we revisit the system design and make adjustments – our commitment is to your results, not just the installation.
Can radon affect commercial buildings, not just homes?
Radon is absolutely not limited to residential properties – any structure built on or into the ground can accumulate radon, including offices, schools, daycares, retail spaces, hospitals, and industrial facilities.
Commercial buildings often have large open floor plans, multiple foundation penetrations, and complex HVAC systems that can influence how radon moves and concentrates throughout the building. Health Canada encourages testing in all occupied buildings, not just homes.
Radon Doctors offers commercial radon testing and mitigation services, working with building owners and managers to assess risk and implement effective solutions.
If my neighbour has high radon, does that mean my home does too?
Not necessarily – while two adjacent homes may sit on the same general geology, radon levels can vary enormously between neighbouring properties due to differences in foundation construction, age and condition of building materials, degree of air sealing, ventilation systems, and even subtle variations in local soil composition and permeability.
It’s not uncommon for two virtually identical homes side by side to have radon levels that differ by a factor of three or four = one well below the guideline and one significantly above it.
Similarly, a neighbour’s low radon result should never give you false confidence that your home is safe. Every home is unique and every home needs its own independent radon test.
Why should I choose Radon Doctors over other radon service providers?
Radon Doctors was built on a foundation of scientific integrity, transparent communication, and a genuine commitment to protecting the health of Calgary-area families. Our founder is an environmental scientist with hands-on engineering expertise who has personally navigated radon testing and mitigation in his own home – bringing lived experience and real empathy to every client interaction.
As a C-NRPP certified radon service provider, we follow Canada’s recognized best practices for both testing and mitigation, ensuring that every recommendation and installation meets the highest professional standards. We take a diagnostic, data-driven approach to every project – we analyze your home’s specific conditions, design a tailored solution, and verify the results with post-mitigation testing.
We offer free radon testing, clear and jargon-free reporting, honest consultations, and the kind of straightforward advice that puts your family’s well-being ahead of any sales outcome. When you work with Radon Doctors, you’re working with a team that will always tell you the truth – even if the truth is that you don’t need our services right now.
why choose us
Why Radon Doctors Is Calgary’s Choice for Radon Mitigation
Our approach isn’t about quick fixes or high-pressure sales – it’s about diagnosing the problem correctly, installing a system that works, and making sure you understand every step of the process.
Scientist-Led Expertise
Every mitigation system is designed by an environmental scientist with a background in emissions, gas systems, and pressure diagnostics – not a general contractor making educated guesses.
Diagnostic, Not Sales-Driven
We assess your home analytically, measuring pressure fields, identifying entry points, and engineering a solution, so you get a system that actually solves the problem.
C-NRPP Certified
Radon Doctors is certified through Canada’s national radon proficiency program, ensuring all testing and mitigation meets recognized national standards and best practices.
Honest Recommendations
We pride ourselves on providing transparent recommendations, so if mitigation isn’t necessary, we’ll let you know. Our reputation is built on trust – not selling services you don’t need.
Owner-Operated
You work directly with the founder throughout the entire process, ensuring a responsive, personal experience from consultation through post-installation testing.
Free Testing Available
We offer free radon testing, making it easier than ever to know your risk and take proper action. Our priority is homeowner health and awareness – not generating quick revenue.
Client Reviews
Trusted by Calgary Families
Real reviews from real homeowners who chose a science-based approach.
Service Area
Serving Greater Calgary
We provide professional radon testing and radon mitigation across Calgary and to surrounding communities within a 100km radius.
Resources
Learn About Radon in Calgary
Stay informed with our latest articles on radon safety. From initial testing to effective mitigation, we’ll help you protect what matters most.
Breathing Easier: A Complete Guide to Crawl Space Membrane Depressurization
Wrestling Basement Moisture and Gases: A Guide to Sump Pump & Drain Tile Depressurization
Crawl Space Membrane Depressurization vs. Crawl Space Depressurization: Which is Right for Your Home?
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Still Have Questions?
We’re Here to Help – No Pressure, No Obligation.
No FAQ list can cover every situation, and when it comes to something as important as your family’s health, we never want you to feel like you’re left without answers. Every home is different, every radon situation is unique, and Radon Doctors is committed to giving you the personalized, transparent guidance you deserve. Radon reduction doesn’t have to be complicated – and with Radon Doctors by your side, it won’t be.
Learn more about us and why Radon Doctors is the Calgary area’s number one choice for radon services.
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