Radon Testing & Mitigation in Exshaw, Alberta
Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats are small Bow Valley communities near Canmore. With so few homes, there is no useful neighbourhood number, so your own 91-day test is the one that counts.
What does your test say?
Enter your radon result to see where you stand.
Health Canada recommends action when the long-term average is above 200 Bq/m³. Short tests are only a snapshot. 1 pCi/L ≈ 37 Bq/m³.
What radon means for Exshaw homeowners
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It seeps into homes through cracks, drains and gaps, you can’t see or smell it, and breathing it for many years raises your risk of lung cancer. Testing is the only way to know your level. Here is what matters for homes in Exshaw.
Homes in Exshaw
Homes in Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats can be older or newer, with different foundations, so we look at each before we decide where to test.
What to know in Exshaw
Industry nearby does not affect indoor radon, which comes from natural soil and rock. Neighbouring lots can differ, so a neighbour’s result does not tell you your own. Exposed valley sites are also windy and cold, so we design pipe and fan locations for that.
Does nearby industry affect radon indoors?
No. Indoor radon comes from natural uranium in the soil and rock under a home, not from nearby plants or industry.
Other communities we serve nearby
Radon testing in Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats
Small communities
There is no large local data set, so we do not quote one. Each home gets its own 91-day test, placed 30 cm or more above the floor and away from doors and windows. Radon changes from day to day, so a proper test runs at least 91 days.
Basements and crawlspaces
We test the lowest level, and consider any crawlspace beneath. Detectors go 30 cm or more off the floor and away from doors, windows and exterior walls. Every test is set up and read by C-NRPP certified professionals.
Attached and multi-unit buildings
We test the lowest level of each unit, plus any other space the layout calls for, and explain the results to the owner. Health Canada’s guideline is 200 Bq/m³ (5.4 pCi/L), and 1 pCi/L equals 37 Bq/m³. Above that, it recommends reducing radon within one year, sooner if the level is higher.
Radon mitigation in Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats
Slab or crawlspace
We assess the foundation and design a system to match: a suction point under a slab, or a sealed membrane with suction under a crawlspace. Every system is designed and installed by C-NRPP certified professionals.
Pipe and fan for mountain weather
The fan mounts on the pipe above the suction point inside the house, and the pipe exits through the side of the house. Exposed sections outside are insulated, and the pipe slopes so condensation drains instead of freezing.
Gauge and retest
A manometer on the pipe shows the fan is running. We recommend a 91-day retest after install to confirm the number dropped. In most homes a system can reduce radon by up to 95%.
How much does radon testing and mitigation cost in Exshaw?
Quotes for Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats are written after a site look, because foundation types vary from house to house. Both services are done by C-NRPP certified professionals.
One price for a full 91-day radon test. If your results show you need mitigation and you choose First Choice Radon, the $99 is reimbursed on your mitigation quote.
What’s included
- Set up
- 91-day test and pick up
- Your results, explained
- Honest next steps
Thinking about a DIY radon test?What to know before you buy a kit
- Choose a long-term testHealth Canada recommends testing for at least 91 days, ideally 3 to 12 months. Short-term kits, including many library kits, only give a rough idea and aren’t appropriate for deciding on mitigation.
- Use an approved deviceHealth Canada recommends long-term devices that have passed C-NRPP performance testing. For electronic monitors, it strongly recommends only devices on the C-NRPP consumer list.
- Know the kit typesAlpha track detectors and electret ion chambers are sent to a lab for results. Electronic radon monitors show readings on a screen or app, but check that they store at least three months of data.
- Place it correctlyUse a bedroom, living room or office on the lowest lived-in level, at least 30 cm above the floor and 30 cm from walls, and 1 m from windows, doors and vents. Avoid kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, sump holes and foundation cracks. One detector is enough.
- Follow the instructions exactlyDon’t move or tamper with the device. Mail lab kits back promptly and before the expiry date. If a device is dropped or damaged, repeat the test with a new one.
Your written quote lists exactly what’s included for your home.
What’s included
- Pre-install assessment
- Communication test
- Sub-slab depressurization system
- Sealing and electrical
- Gauge and post-mitigation test
Some homes need extras such as a crawlspace membrane, a second suction point, a radon dome sump lid or a fan upgrade. Most homes don’t.
Get a Mitigation QuoteRadon questions from Exshaw homeowners
Does nearby industry affect radon indoors?
No. Indoor radon comes from natural uranium in the soil and rock under a home, not from nearby plants or industry.
Are the radon professionals serving Exshaw C-NRPP certified and licensed?
Yes. Our radon professionals are C-NRPP certified, the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program, which is the national standard for radon measurement and mitigation in Canada, and we are licensed to work in Alberta. Your test and your system in Exshaw are handled by C-NRPP certified professionals, and you can ask to see our certification at any time.
Do you serve Exshaw?
Yes. We travel to Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats from Cochrane.
How much does radon testing cost in Exshaw?
$99 for a 91-day test with set-up, pick-up and your results explained, reimbursed on a mitigation quote if you choose First Choice Radon.
Do I need to test if my neighbour’s result was low?
Yes. Nearby lots can differ because of foundations, soil contact and ventilation.
How long does a radon test take?
91 days, which gives a long-term average. A short test is only a snapshot, and radon changes day to day.
Do you serve Dead Man’s Flats?
Yes. This page covers both Exshaw and Dead Man’s Flats, and Canmore is nearby.
Can high radon be fixed in a mountain home?
Yes. Systems work on slabs and crawlspaces, and we plan the pipe and fan for wind and cold.
Want to learn more? Visit our radon articles and videos.