DIY Radon Guide
Test kits, digital monitors, and mitigation supplies — with guidance on what to buy and when.
What describes your situation?
I've never tested
Start with a mail-in test kit — quick, inexpensive, and what Health Canada recommends.
Go there →I want ongoing monitoring
A digital monitor gives you live readings and long-term trend data, year-round.
Go there →My results were high
Above 200 Bq/m³? You need mitigation. Browse supplies or find a certified professional.
Go there →I have a system already
Verify your fan is working and check for pressure with a manometer or re-test kit.
Go there →1. Placement
Place the detector in the lowest lived-in level of your home, away from drafts and exterior walls.
2. Duration
Leave the device undisturbed for at least 3 months, ideally between October and April.
3. Action
If your result is above 200 Bq/m³, contact a certified mitigation professional immediately.
Section 1
Mail-In Test Kits
The simplest way to measure radon. Buy a kit, place it, mail it to the lab, and get results in 1–3 weeks. Health Canada recommends long-term kits (91+ days) for mitigation decisions.
First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit
Best for: Getting a fast baseline reading before a home sale or after initial concern
- Accuracy
- Moderate — results reflect a 2–4 day window only; not recommended for mitigation decisions alone
- Process
- Place in lowest liveable area, leave for 48–96 hours, then mail to the EPA & NRPP certified lab using the included prepaid envelope. Lab fee included. Results within 3–5 business days of lab receipt.
- Typical cost
- $47.50 CAD (lab fee included)
Lab reports results in pCi/L — multiply by 37 to convert to Bq/m³. Supplement with a long-term kit for mitigation decisions.
Shop on Amazon.caSection 2
Digital Monitors
C-NRPP Approved = listed on the official C-NRPP approved device list
Which monitor is right for me?
Want a simple display, no app required? Airthings Corentium Home or Aranet RN+.
Want app-connected real-time data? Airthings View, Wave Radon, or Wave Plus.
Need the fastest initial reading? Ecosense EcoQube or RadonEye (10 hours vs. 24+).
Need C-NRPP approval for documentation? Corentium Home, Airthings View, Aranet RN+, or Ecosense models.
Airthings Corentium Home
Best for: Getting a reliable long-term baseline without app dependency
- Accuracy
- ±10% after 7 days at 200 Bq/m³; ±5% after 2 months
- Reading frequency
- 12 hr, 24 hr, 7 day averages (first reading takes 24 hrs)
- Display
- Short-term and long-term average shown on device display.
- Power
- Battery
Airthings View
Best for: Connected monitoring with detailed history and multi-room setups
- Accuracy
- ±10% on 7-day avg; ±5% on 2-month avg (after 30 days at 200 Bq/m³)
- Reading frequency
- Hourly
- Display
- Short-term average on device display; long-term average in app.
- Power
- Battery or USB-C plug-in
Airthings Wave Radon
Best for: Minimalist users who prefer colour LED alerts over numbers
- Accuracy
- ±10% on 7-day avg; ±5% on 2-month avg (after 30 days at 200 Bq/m³)
- Reading frequency
- Hourly rolling average; new value calculated every hour
- Display
- Motion-activated colour LED ring on device (no screen); full numeric history in app.
- Power
- 2× AA battery (~12–18 months)
Airthings Wave Plus
Best for: Full indoor air quality monitoring alongside radon (CO₂, VOCs, humidity)
- Accuracy
- ±10% on 7-day avg; ±5% on 2-month avg (after 30 days at 200 Bq/m³)
- Reading frequency
- Hourly rolling average; new radon value calculated every hour
- Display
- Motion-activated colour LED ring; full readings for radon, CO₂, VOCs, temp, humidity, and pressure in app.
- Power
- 2× AA battery (~16–18 months)
Aranet RN+
Best for: The most accurate C-NRPP approved continuous reading with no subscription required
- Accuracy
- ±8% on 24 hr, 7 day, and 30 day averages
- Reading frequency
- Adjustable: 10 min, 24 hr, 7 day, or 30 day
- Display
- Device display shows short- or long-term level (user-selectable); full history in app.
- Power
- Battery
Ecosense EcoQube
Best for: Fastest accurate readings — results within 10 hours, not 24
- Accuracy
- ±10% at 370 Bq/m³ after 10 hours of measurement
- Reading frequency
- Measurement every 10 min; displays an hourly rolling average
- Display
- Hourly level on LED display; short- and long-term averages + hourly data points in app.
- Power
- Plug-in
Ecosense RadonEye
Best for: Sharp OLED display readings with quick initial measurement
- Accuracy
- ±10% at 370 Bq/m³ after 10 hours of measurement
- Reading frequency
- Measurement every 10 min; displays an hourly rolling average
- Display
- Hourly level on OLED display; short- and long-term averages in app.
- Power
- Plug-in
Section 3
Mitigation Supplies
Sub-slab depressurization systems are the most effective solution for elevated radon. These are the components a certified installer will use — or that handy homeowners can research before getting quotes.
Mitigation system installation is best left to a certified professional. Improper installation can be ineffective or create new problems. Find a certified professional near you.
XYFAIR 4" Radon Fan DIY Kit
Best for: Complete beginners — everything needed to install your own sub-slab depressurization fan in one box
4" inline radon fan with 85W motor, up to 260 CFM airflow, and 1.72" max suction pressure. ABS+PC fire-resistant housing with mechanical timer included. Fits standard 4" PVC pipe.
Professional installation recommended. Improper installation can create new air quality issues.
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RadonAway RP145c Fan
Best for: Homes up to 2,500 sq ft — industry-standard reliability from the most trusted radon brand
4" inlet/outlet, 166 CFM, 41–72W. Rated for continuous operation. Fits standard 4" Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Widely used by certified radon professionals across Canada.
Size your fan to your home's square footage and soil type.
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Radon Mitigation Fan (150 CFM)
Best for: Budget-friendly outdoor-rated replacement fan — plug-in or hardwired installation
4" inline duct fan, 150 CFM, 40–50 dB. IP-rated waterproof housing for indoor or outdoor installation. Includes 2 rubber couplings. Plug into an outlet or wire via terminal block. 2-year warranty.
Verify fan sizing matches your home's square footage before purchasing.
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XYF Air U-Tube Manometer
Best for: Budget-friendly visual check to confirm your radon fan is maintaining negative pressure
Easy-read blue U-tube manometer. Includes tubing and self-tap screws for mounting to your PVC riser pipe. Does NOT measure radon levels — it confirms your fan is working.
Pressure should read negative relative to the room. Zero reading means your fan may need replacing.
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RadonAway Easy Read Manometer
Best for: The most trusted U-tube manometer — includes AARST-compliant OM&M documentation
Blue U-tube reads 0–4.5" WC. Non-toxic fluid with adjustable zero. Includes tubing, self-tap screws, and a 10-page OM&M system guide meeting current AARST requirements. Does NOT measure radon levels.
Commonly included by certified professionals as standard on every installation.
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Aluf Plastics 6-Mil Poly Sheeting
Best for: Covering exposed crawlspace soil — 10' × 100' roll covers large areas in one shot
6-mil clear polyethylene sheeting, 10' × 100'. Heavy-duty vapor and moisture barrier for crawlspace soil coverage. Reduces radon entry when combined with sub-slab depressurization. Made in the USA.
Seal seams and edges with radon-rated tape for best results.
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Titebond 3251 Radon Sealant
Best for: Sealing foundation cracks, pipe penetrations, and slab joints to block radon entry points
10.1 oz gray latex-based radon sealant. VOC-compliant, paintable in 2–4 hours. Allows ±25% joint movement. For use on foundation cracks, pipe penetrations, floor-wall joints, and damp-proofing membranes.
Sealing alone rarely solves high radon — use as part of a complete mitigation system.
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Got your reading back?
Use our free result interpreter to understand what your Bq/m³ level means and what to do next.
Need a professional test or mitigation?
For real estate transactions, levels above 200 Bq/m³, or post-mitigation verification — a certified professional is the right call.
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