The good news is that radon gas is generally not a problem in the lower mainland. The bad news is that is does still occur in some locations in Metro Vancouver and the ugly news is that it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.

Radon Gas in Metro Vancouver

In the Metro Vancouver area, radon gas has been known to occur in one house but not the one next door.  It’s a radioactive gas that is formed naturally by the breakdown of uranium in soil. Radon is slowly released from the ground and will build up concentrations in well-sealed buildings; It’s colourless, odourless, and tasteless.

If found, there are steps that need to be taken.  An upgrade to a more rigorous sub-slab soil gas barrier is one option.  A 6 inch layer of gravel promotes the breathability and movement of gases under the slab.  These gases are then drawn through a pipe in the floor slab that vents through to the roof.  A mechanical fan could be added to increase the draw of the gases.

For each home we build, Clay Construction performs a free test to determine if radon is present.  If we find concentrations during our testing, we can take the above measures to mitigate the radon gas.  If radon gas is not an issue, the homeowners have piece of mind at no cost.

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