Radon testing in red deer

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without specialized testing.

Radon is present beneath every home and can enter throughout the year. During the heating season, the stack effect increases the pressure difference between the home and the soil beneath the basement slab, drawing more radon-bearing soil gas into the home. Although radon can enter through cracks, joints, sump pits, and service penetrations, it can also migrate through the concrete slab itself. Because every home is different, the only way to know your home's radon level is through testing.

Long-term testing provides the most accurate assessment of a home's average radon level.

Health Canada recommends testing for a minimum of 91 days, with the testing period occurring during the heating season whenever possible. Winter testing captures the period when the stack effect is typically greatest, providing the most representative assessment of a home's annual radon exposure.

A 48 hour test is handy when you require immediate results or when needed for real-estate transactions. While short-term testing offers a reliable snapshot of radon levels during the testing period, results can vary due to weather and seasonal conditions.

Yes. Any home can have elevated radon, including a brand-new one. Radon comes from the soil under the house, and it can enter through the concrete slab, cracks, sump pits, and gaps around pipes and wiring. New homes are also built to be very airtight, which can let radon build up instead of escaping. Your home's age and quality of construction don't predict its level, and the only way to know is to test.

Some new homes are built with a radon rough-in (a pipe through the slab that can be turned into a mitigation system later). That's a helpful head start, but it doesn't tell you what your radon level is, and it doesn't reduce radon until a system is actually installed. If you've bought a new build, we recommend a long-term test of 91+ days during the heating season for the most accurate result. If you're buying and need an answer quickly, a 48-hour test is available.

When you book our 91+ day test, Quantum Property Inspections performs a ventilation assessment, including the home's HRV or air exchanger (where applicable), and evaluates visible ventilation components that may influence indoor air quality.