Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil and bedrock beneath a home. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, and the only way to know how much has accumulated in your house is to measure it. For homeowners across Halton Region — from the lakeshore neighbourhoods of Oakville and Burlington to the fast-growing subdivisions of Milton and the rural properties around Halton Hills — testing is the one reliable step that turns an invisible question mark into a clear number you can act on.
Why Halton Region homeowners should test
Radon levels depend on local geology, how a house is built, and how tightly it is sealed against the weather — and those factors vary from street to street, not just region to region. The federal Cross-Canada Radon Survey found that elevated results turn up in homes across Ontario, in every kind of community and every era of construction. Newer, energy-efficient homes are not exempt: the same air-tightness that lowers heating bills can also trap radon indoors over a long Ontario winter.
That is why a next-door neighbour's result tells you very little about your own home. Two houses side by side in the same Burlington or Milton subdivision can measure very differently depending on foundation cracks, sump configuration, and how the basement is used. The only way to know your number is to test your own home.
Communities we cover
We help homeowners test across Halton Region and the surrounding communities. If you live in one of the following areas, start with your local guide for context, then order a kit:
We also serve the northern parts of the region, including Halton Hills, Georgetown, and Acton. Wherever you are in Halton, the testing process is the same, and for the wider provincial picture see our overview of radon in Ontario.
How radon testing works
Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, ideally spanning the heating season when windows stay closed and radon concentrations are typically highest. A short-term test can miss the swings that happen from day to day, which is why the long-term measurement gives the most accurate picture of what your household actually breathes over a year.
The process is straightforward. Our radon test kit includes a C-NRPP-approved detector, prepaid two-way shipping, and analysis by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab. You place the detector in the lowest level of your home that you use regularly — a finished basement, or the main floor if the basement is unfinished and rarely occupied — about 1 to 2 metres off the floor and away from drafts, exterior walls, and humidity. Leave it in place for the full test period under normal living conditions, then mail it back in the prepaid envelope. Your report arrives by email once the lab completes its analysis.
Health Canada's action guideline is 200 Bq/m³. This is the level at which reducing your radon is recommended — it is not a line between acceptable and harmful. Any amount of radon carries some risk, and there is no known level that is free of risk, so the guideline is best understood as a threshold for taking action rather than a pass-or-fail mark.
What to do if your level is high
If your result comes back at or above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action to lower it. Contact a C-NRPP-certified radon mitigation professional for an assessment and a quote. The most common fix for Halton homes is sub-slab depressurization — a system that draws radon from beneath the foundation and vents it above the roofline before it can enter the living space. A properly installed system typically reduces levels substantially.
After the work is done, retest your home to confirm the mitigation worked and that your new level sits below the guideline. Testing before and after is the only way to verify that the investment did its job.
FAQ
How do I test my home for radon?
Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, ideally over the heating season. Place the detector in the lowest level you spend time in, leave it the full period, then mail it to a lab. Our kit includes the C-NRPP-approved detector, prepaid two-way shipping, analysis by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab, and an emailed report.
Is there an acceptable level of radon?
Any radon carries some risk, and there is no known level free of risk. Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ is an action guideline — the point at which reducing your level is recommended — not a line between acceptable and harmful.
Where should I place the radon test kit in my Halton home?
In the lowest level of your home you use regularly — a finished basement, or the main floor if you don't use the basement — about 1 to 2 metres off the floor, away from drafts, exterior walls, windows, and humidity, under normal living conditions.
How long does a radon test take?
For an accurate annual picture, at least 91 days. Short-term tests of two to seven days are less reliable because radon levels swing from day to day, so Health Canada recommends the long-term test.
What do I do if my radon level is high?
At or above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action. Contact a C-NRPP-certified radon mitigation professional for a quote; a properly installed system typically reduces levels substantially. Retest afterward to confirm it worked.
Test your Halton Region home
Ready to find out your number? Order our radon test kit and test your Halton Region home today.