Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil and collects inside homes. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it — the only way to know your level is to test. In Waterloo Region, that matters because homes here are built on the same kind of ground that produces elevated readings elsewhere in the province. The Cross-Canada Radon Survey found elevated results turning up across radon in Ontario, and Waterloo Region is not exempt. Two houses on the same street can read very differently depending on soil, foundation, and how the home is sealed and heated — so a neighbour's result tells you nothing about your own.
Because radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked, Health Canada recommends every home be tested. Whether you live in a century home in Galt, a newer subdivision in north Waterloo, or a rural property near Elmira, the risk comes down to your specific building — and the only way to find out is to measure it.
Communities we cover
We serve homeowners across Waterloo Region and the surrounding Grand River area. If you live in one of these communities, start with your local guide:
We also test homes in nearby Waterloo, Elmira, and Fergus, along with the townships and rural properties throughout the region. No matter where in the area your home sits, the testing process is the same — and so is the reason to do it.
How radon testing works
Radon levels rise and fall dramatically from day to day and season to season, so a quick snapshot doesn't tell you much. That's why Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, ideally run over the heating season when homes are closed up and levels tend to be highest.
The process is straightforward. Place the detector in the lowest level of your home you spend time in — a finished basement, or the main floor if you don't use the basement — about 1 to 2 metres off the floor and away from drafts, exterior walls, and humidity. Leave it in place for the full period under normal living conditions, then mail it in.
Our radon test kit is built for exactly this. It includes a C-NRPP-approved detector, prepaid two-way shipping, analysis by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab, and an emailed report — plus reminders throughout so you never lose track of the return date. When your results come back, they're measured in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). Health Canada's action guideline is 200 Bq/m³: the point at which reducing your level is recommended. It's important to understand this is an action guideline, not a line between acceptable and harmful — any amount of radon carries some risk, and there is no known level free of risk.
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 reduce it. The next step is to contact a C-NRPP-certified radon mitigation professional for an assessment and quote. Most homes are fixed with a system called sub-slab depressurization, which draws radon out from beneath the foundation and vents it above the roofline before it can enter your living space. A properly installed system typically reduces levels substantially.
After mitigation, retest to confirm the system is working and that your level has come down. Testing first — before you spend anything on a system — is what tells you whether you need mitigation at all.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my home for radon in Waterloo Region?
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 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.
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 after to confirm it worked.
Is your kit certified?
The kit uses a C-NRPP-approved detector and is analysed by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab — the long-term approach Health Canada's guidance recommends. Certification applies to the lab and approval to the detector, never to a company.
Test your Waterloo Region home
Don't guess — measure. Order our radon test kit and find out where your home stands.