Preventing Radon Problems - Your Guide with Flood Ready

Your Radon Prevention Checklist

Follow these actionable steps to prevent radon problems in your GTA home. Each item includes practical tips, maintenance advice, and how Flood Ready can assist.

1. Test Your Home for Radon

Testing is the only way to know if radon is a problem in your home.

• Conduct a Long-Term Test: Use a Health Canada-approved radon test kit (available for $50–$75 CAD) or hire a professional for accuracy. Test in the lowest livable area (e.g., basement) for 91 days or more, ideally during winter when homes are sealed.
• Understand Your Results: Levels below 200 Bq/m³ are safe; above this, mitigation is recommended. Levels between 200–600 Bq/m³ should be addressed within 2 years; above 600 Bq/m³, act within 1 year.

Flood Ready Solution: Book a Radon Testing Service ($200–$400 CAD) for certified testing and a detailed report. Schedule via our scheduling page.

2. Seal Entry Points

Prevent radon from entering your home by sealing potential pathways.

• Inspect Your Foundation: Check basement floors and walls for cracks, gaps, or openings where radon can seep in. Look for unsealed joints around pipes, drains, or sump pump pits.
• Apply Sealants: Use high-quality caulk or polyurethane sealant to close cracks and gaps (cost: $10–$50 CAD for materials). Ensure sump pump pits have airtight lids.
• Ventilation Considerations: Avoid sealing areas that require ventilation (e.g., crawl spaces) without professional advice.

Flood Ready Solution: Our Home Safety Consultation ($350–$450 CAD/year) includes a foundation inspection and sealing recommendations to block radon entry.

3. Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation reduces radon buildup in your home.

• Increase Air Circulation: Use exhaust fans in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens to promote airflow. Open windows when weather permits to dilute indoor radon levels.
• Install a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV): An HRV exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, reducing radon concentrations. Cost: $1,500–$3,000 CAD for installation.
• Avoid Negative Pressure: Ensure fireplaces or high-powered exhaust systems don’t pull radon-rich soil gas into your home.

Flood Ready Solution: We offer ventilation assessments as part of our Radon Mitigation Services to optimize air quality.

4. Install a Radon Mitigation System (if Needed)

For homes with high radon levels, a mitigation system is the most effective solution.

• Sub-Slab Depressurization: A vent pipe and fan draw radon from beneath your foundation and exhaust it outside. Cost: $1,500–$3,500 CAD, depending on home size and complexity.
• Other Systems: Crawl space ventilation or active soil depressurization for specific home types.
• Post-Installation Testing: Retest after installation to confirm levels are below 200 Bq/m³ (cost: $150 CAD).

Flood Ready Solution: Our Radon Mitigation Installation includes system design, installation, and follow-up testing for lasting results.

5. Maintain Your Radon Systems

Regular maintenance ensures long-term radon prevention.

• Check Mitigation Systems: Inspect the fan and manometer (pressure gauge) monthly to confirm operation. Replace fans every 5–8 years (cost: $300–$500 CAD).
• Reseal Entry Points: Reapply sealants every 3–5 years or after renovations.
• Retest Radon Levels: Test every 2–5 years or after major home changes (e.g., basement finishing).

Flood Ready Solution: Join our Radon Maintenance Plan ($200–$350 CAD/year) for professional inspections, testing, and system care.

6. Prepare for Renovations

Home changes can affect radon levels—plan accordingly.

• Assess Impact: Renovations like basement finishing or adding extensions can trap or increase radon. Check with a professional before altering your foundation or ventilation.
• Retest After Renovations: Conduct a new radon test post-project to ensure levels remain safe.
• Incorporate Prevention: Use radon-resistant materials (e.g., vapor barriers) during construction.

Flood Ready Solution: We offer pre- and post-renovation Radon Testing to keep your home safe during upgrades.

7. Stay Informed and Educated

Knowledge is key to ongoing radon prevention.

• Learn About Radon: Visit Health Canada’s Radon Page for resources. Understand local risks, especially in Markham’s Oak Ridges Moraine area.
• Monitor Health: Be aware of lung cancer symptoms, especially if you’ve lived in a high-radon home.
• Engage Your Community: Encourage neighbors to test for radon to create a safer neighborhood.

Flood Ready Solution: Explore our Blog for articles like Radon Testing Basics or download our Home Safety Guide.

Common Radon Prevention Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t let these errors compromise your efforts:

• Skipping Testing: You can’t detect radon without a test—it’s invisible and odorless.
• Assuming New Homes Are Safe: Modern homes can still trap radon if not properly vented.
• DIY Mitigation: Improper systems can worsen exposure or fail to reduce levels.
• Ignoring Maintenance: A neglected mitigation system may stop working effectively.

Costs to Expect

Preventing radon problems is an affordable investment in your health and home:

• DIY Testing: $50–$75 CAD for a long-term test kit.
• Professional Services:
  • Radon Testing: $200–$400 CAD.
  • Radon Mitigation: $1,500–$3,500 CAD.
  • Annual Maintenance: $200–$350 CAD.
  • CCTV Sewer Inspection (if related to drainage): $350–$600 CAD.
• Rebates: Limited for radon, but we explore energy efficiency grants or tax credits.
• Savings: Avoid health costs from radon exposure, which can exceed $10,000 in medical expenses.

Get a personalized quote via our scheduling page.