604-710-5567
Keith Klapstein, C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program)
Kootenay Radon Services is located in Kimberley, BC and serves the East Kootenay region.
Owner and operator, Keith Klapstein, is a C-NRPP Certified Radon Measurement and Mitigation Professional.
Contact Keith for a free consultation at 604-710-5567 or info@kootenayradon.ca
WHAT IS RADON?
Radon comes from the mineral uranium that occurs naturally in soil. As uranium breaks down, it releases radon. Radon is a radioactive gas without colour or odour. It is found in every home, though not always at elevated levels. Since Canadian homes are sealed against the weather, radon levels inside homes can build up to levels that Health Canada considers to be dangerous. Over time, exposure to elevated levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
How much radon is too much?
Some areas of BC, including the East Kootenays, are known to have high levels of radon. BC Radon Map
The Government of Canada recommends that any home with a radon level above 200 Bq/m3 should take action to lower their level. Most homes can be reduced to levels well below this.
TESTING & MONITORING
The only way to know how much radon is in your home is to conduct a test.
Testing is recommended for all homes, especially those in areas with higher levels of radon.
Testing can be done with a do-it-yourself radon test kit or by hiring a certified C-NRPP professional.
LONG-TERM TESTING
Radon levels can vary greatly from season to season, and even day to day, so the most accurate way to find out if your home has a problem is to do a long-term test over a period of at least 90 days.
This test uses a small device that measures the radioactive particles emitted by radon. After the testing period, the device is then sent to a lab for analysis.
SHORT-TERM TESTING
Short-term testing takes days to weeks.
Useful in instances where a home has had a known high level of radon in the past and you want to confirm that the level of radon has dropped after being fixed.
Since radon levels can vary day to day, short-term testing should not be used alone to determine if a home has elevated radon levels.
An initial short-term test is usually followed up with long-term monitoring.
WHERE CAN I GET A TEST KIT?
Kootenay Radon provides long-term testing kits, and advice as to where to position them in your home. We also review test results and make recommendations for mitigation, if required.
If you prefer, test kits can be purchased online or from home improvement stores, or through the BC Lung Foundation
Short-term test kits are also available for loan at some public libraries in the Kootenays through the Radon Detector Library Lending Program
TEST RESULTS
Once the test phase is complete, results are sent to a lab for analysis. Results are sent directly to the lab the homeowner.
Health Canada recommends that home improvements take place within two years if radon levels are above 200 Bq/m3, and within one year if the levels are above 600 Bq/m3, though homeowners may choose to improve their home at any level.
MITIGATION
Techniques to lower radon levels are effective and can save lives. Radon levels in most homes can be reduced by more than 80% for about the same cost as other common home repairs such as replacing the furnace or air conditioner.
Improving radon levels in the home typically requires the installation of a depressurization system to draw radon from underneath the home and vent it outside before it can enter the house. There are a number of different types of depressurization systems - we can help you decide which is best for your home and budget.
Our Process
Perform diagnostic testing in the lowest level of the home to determine the size of fan required to sufficiently remove radon from under the slab.
Seal any accessible radon entry points.
Install fan and piping and vent to the exterior of the home.
Ensure the system is working correctly - conduct additional tests and verify that all radon entry points have been properly sealed.
Monitor radon levels to confirm that the system has reduced levels to below 200 Bq/m³
All mitigation systems will be installed in accordance with C-NRPP standards, as recommended by Health Canada.
CONTACT US
Ready to get started? Have some questions?
We’d love to hear from you. Fill in the form here, or give Keith a call at 604-710-5567
