Radon Testing & Mitigation in High River, Alberta
High River’s June 2013 flood led many owners to repair or rebuild basements. If yours was renovated, new slabs, sumps and finishes can change how radon enters, so earlier results may not apply.
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 High River 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 High River.
Homes in High River
Along the Highwood River, many homes were repaired or renovated after the 2013 flood, though not all. If your basement was rebuilt, new slabs, drainage and floor layouts can change where soil gas enters and how a mitigation system should be laid out.
What to know in High River
Radon behaviour follows the foundation. A rebuilt basement with a new slab, new sump or new drain openings is a different house for radon purposes. If you tested before the rebuild, or never tested, a fresh 91-day test is the reliable number.
I renovated my basement after the flood. Should I retest?
Yes. Retest after major renovations, since new slabs, sumps and ventilation can change radon levels.
Other communities we serve nearby
Radon testing in High River: rebuilt and renovated homes
Post-flood basements
We test the main lower-level space, finished or not, and note new slabs, sumps and drain openings. They affect both the reading and any mitigation design. Radon changes from day to day, so a proper test runs at least 91 days.
When an earlier result is out of date
If your last test was before the rebuild, treat it as out of date. A renovated foundation can read very differently from the original. Every test is set up and read by C-NRPP certified professionals.
Established streets and newer areas
Both get the same 91-day test. We adjust placement for the layout, whether finished or partial basements. 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 High River homes with rebuilt basements
Working with new slabs
How far suction reaches under a slab depends on the gravel base beneath it. We run a communication test to measure that, then decide how many suction points are needed. Every system is designed and installed by C-NRPP certified professionals.
Sealing sumps, drains and cracks
Sump lids, floor drains, the slab-wall joint and plumbing penetrations are common openings. Sealing them lets the fan pull from the soil instead of from your basement air.
Retest after install
We recommend a 91-day retest once the system is running to confirm the new number, and another after any further renovation, since new slabs and drains change how the system performs. In most homes a system can reduce radon by up to 95%.
How much does radon testing and mitigation cost in High River?
High River quotes depend on the basement as rebuilt: slab layout, sump, finishes and where the pipe can run. Your written quote lists exactly what is included. 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 High River homeowners
I renovated my basement after the flood. Should I retest?
Yes. Retest after major renovations, since new slabs, sumps and ventilation can change radon levels.
Are the radon professionals serving High River 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 High River are handled by C-NRPP certified professionals, and you can ask to see our certification at any time.
Do you serve High River?
Yes. We travel to High River from our Cochrane base.
How much does radon testing cost in High River?
$99 for a 91-day test with set-up, pick-up and results explained. If you choose First Choice Radon for mitigation, the $99 is reimbursed on the quote.
Does flood rebuilding change radon levels?
It can. New slabs, new sumps, changed drains and new ventilation all alter how soil gas enters and how it leaves, so retest after a major rebuild.
Should I test even if I tested years ago?
If the foundation or basement has changed since, yes. Health Canada also recommends retesting about every five years, and we suggest about every two where levels are close to the guideline.
Can mitigation be done in a finished basement?
Usually. We plan the pipe route to minimise opening finished surfaces.
What if my basement has a sump but no rough-in?
The sump can often serve as the suction point once it has an airtight lid. If it does not communicate well, we core a suction point in the slab instead.
Want to learn more? Visit our radon articles and videos.