Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon is a naturally occurring gas produced by the decay of radioactive elements found in the soil. 

It can easily seep into your home through foundational cracks, drains, construction joints, and even concrete. The concrete is porous, so gas has no problem leaking through. 

Nearly all buildings globally will contain some level of radon gas, but the only way to really found out is to conduct a radon test. Don't wait until your family gets sick to find out the hard way.

According to the Radon Environmental Management Corp., the relative radon hazard for most of the Central and North Okanagan is considered either Zone 2 - Elevated or Zone 1 - High. 

Click on the Map to the right to check where you live and what zone you are located in.

Radon testing is easy and inexpensive. Initial short-term radon testing can be helpful to find out if potential problems exist. This is common during inspections of new home construction, commercial workspaces, health facilities, real estate transactions requiring building inspections.

Once a short-term radon test is complete it should always be followed up by a long-term test. These are three to twelve-month tests.

Since Radon levels can fluctuate over time, a longer test will give you a more accurate picture of average exposure levels.

This can then be used to determine whether a mitigation plan is required. Not sure where to start? Give us a call.

So you have elevated or high levels of Radon in your home, what now?

Most of us don't live in a bubble, so It's time to consider installing a Radon Mitigation System. The most effective system involves ventilating your home by using piping and a special inline fan to draw radon up from the soil under your home and venting it out. 

Other methods that can reduce radon are:

• Caulking cracks in the foundation, walls, and construction joints with a polyurethane type caulk.
• Installing an airtight cover on your sump pump.
• Cover the soil in crawl spaces with polyurethane plastic sheeting (6-millimeter minimum thickness) and tightly attach it to the wall.

Though these methods at best are a temporary solution and are best left to the Pros at Vernon Air Conditioning Plumbing & Electrical Services.  

Venting the soil with a Radon Fan from under your home is the most effective way of reducing radon levels. 

This entails placing PVC piping in specific areas of your foundation and your sump pit. We then fit a special inline radon fan and vent it out of your home. 

The fan is placed outside of your home to ensure air and Radon are drawn from under your foundation and vented externally. 

Take control of the air quality in your home and keep your family safe by calling the experts at Vernon Air Conditioning and discuss a radon mitigation plan suitable for your home. 

Describe your project to the best of your ability or if it's easier, you can give us a call to discuss it over the phone.