Did you miss the first REALTips course of 2018? If so, here’s your chance to catch up.

Radon expert Dr. Goodarzi provided a summary of issues concerning household radon gas. Goodarzi discussed the effects of radon on health, current government guidelines, what type of homes contain high radon and how to carry out radon testing and mitigation.  

One emerging trend is clear: awareness and concern about radon is becoming increasingly common and potential buyers may soon be asking for radon readings.

If you missed this REALTips course, check out our high-level takeaways below. 

Radon in homes: 

Almost all homes have some radon gas in them. One in eight Alberta homes test over Health Canada’s maximum acceptable radon limit.

Health effects: 

Breathing in radon damages your DNA, which can lead to lung cancer. Children and teens are particularly at risk. 

Information for home owners: 

Clients who may be selling their home in the next couple of years may consider radon testing and any necessary mitigation as a selling feature. Here’s some information on radon testing you can provide to your clients: 

• Homes built in the past 25 years may contain more than 30 per cent more radon versus older properties;
• Major changes to a home, such as renovations, can change radon readings. It may not be necessary or relevant to conduct a radon test if a property is purchased with plans for a major renovation or a tear down; 
• Changes to building codes in 2015 made it mandatory for new buildings to have a roughed in radon mitigation option; and
• Radon levels are easy to test for and properties with high radon levels can be mitigated down to safe levels by professionals.

Radon testing:

• A proper radon test takes 90 days and should be conducted between Oct. to April;
• After major renovations or a new build, home owners should wait 2 years before testing;
• Rural properties could have possible radon contamination in water wells; and
• It is now mandatory by Alberta law that new landlords complete radon testing on their properties. 

For more information on radon, check out these additional resources:

• Take Action on Radon
• Health Canada – Radon Information & Resources
• Radon Testing Kits
• CREA – Homeowner’s Guide to Radon

To view upcoming CREB^® professional development courses, click here.