One of the biggest misconceptions we discovered is that people assume radon only affects certain types of homes.

Many homeowners believe things like:

• ● “My house is new, so I’m safe.”

• ● “My neighbor doesn’t have radon, so I probably don’t either.”

• ● “Opening windows should fix it.”

None of those assumptions are reliable.

Radon levels depend on several factors:

• ● the soil beneath the home

• ● how the house is constructed

• ● how well the foundation is sealed

• ● how air flows through the building

Two houses sitting side-by-side can have completely different radon levels. Yes, and age of home does not matter.

Continuous monitoring is the only way to know.

Discovering high radon levels is stressful.

When we saw our radon test results, we suddenly had dozens of questions.

• ● Can we fix this ourselves?

• ● How much will this cost?

• ● Who can we trust to help us?

Finding trustworthy radon mitigation specialists was surprisingly difficult.

Maybe because of all the questions we had, and maybe it had a bit to do with how frustrated, angry, disappointed we were.

Feeling these natural feelings and figuring out what to do can be frustrating, but dealing with radon doesn’t need to be. 

There were only a few contractors we could find who truly specialized in radon mitigation.

One only did commercial properties.  

The others seemed more interested in taking advantage of our situation and we felt uncomfortable with their approach.

All I wanted was a simple place to get answers.

• ● What does radon mitigation cost?

• ● Can I mitigate radon myself?

• ● How long will addressing my radon issue take?

• ● What are the risks if I wait to address the radon levels?

The lack of clear information, and a trusted network to turn to was frustrating.

We only got more frustrated the more radon questions we realized we needed answers to with no central comprehensive resource to get them from.

I was frustrated because of the guilt of thinking "I should have known about radon sooner." 

I wish I had been warned about radon by anyone, the cashier at the grocery store even.

Particularly since radon testing and mitigation are ultimately not complicated, nor expensive.

But it is dangerous, and needs attention. Health Canada's website says "Don't ignore it! Radon is a serious health issue".

Costs vary depending on the home and the severity of the problem.

From our research and discussions with contractors:

DIY mitigation projects can cost roughly:

$2,000 – $10,000

Professional installation (All included) typically ranges from:

$6,000 – $20,000+

In extreme cases involving very large homes or extremely high radon levels, costs can go even higher.

But it’s important to keep perspective.

Radon mitigation systems dramatically reduce the presence of a lung-cancer causing agent.

There is no cost that shold deter anyone from eliminating this risk.

This is part of home ownership. It just historically has not been spoken about widely.

Radon needs to be more talked about, and this cost needs to be factored into any home buying decision. Our health and longevity is not something to be traded off here.

Additionally, we spend a fortune on nutrition and exercise, but what's the point if your house health is negating all those efforts.

Your health is woven into the health of your home. Period.

This makes so much sense that it’s shocking radon isn’t more widely talked about. 

After going through this process, there are several things I now tell everyone.

1. Your homes health is YOUR health.

• ● We spend enormous energy on diet, fitness, and sleep.

• ● If the place where you spend 90% of your time is filled with toxins, those efforts are being completely undermined.

• ● Your home environment needs to be factored into your health plans.

2. Use continuous radon monitoring.

• ● Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year.

• ● Continuous monitoring allows you to track trends and verify whether mitigation systems are working.

• ● Radon detectors should be as common as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• ● Radon tells you more about your environment than just whether it’s making you sick. It gives you an indication of what is structurally going on inside your home. 

3. Get connected with knowledgeable communities.

• ● One of the best things you can do is connect with groups that understand home health and radon mitigation.

• ● Online communities, homeowner groups, and experienced contractors can provide guidance and share valuable insights.

• ● The more you learn, the easier the process becomes.

4. Don’t panic — most homes can be fixed.

• ● Radon mitigation is incredibly effective.

• ● Most homes can be brought down to safe levels relatively quickly.

• ● With the right guidance and monitoring, the process can be much simpler than people expect.

5. Spread the word

• ● The hardest part about radon isn’t fixing it.

• ● The hardest part is not knowing about it.

• ● Most homeowners have never heard about radon until they discover it in their own home.

That changes with you!

Our interest in radon started when we tested our own home and discovered levels of 2000 Bq/m³, ten times higher than the recommended mitigation guideline.

After months of research, continuous monitoring, and conversations with contractors, we learned how radon enters homes and how mitigation systems dramatically reduce levels.

That experience is what led us to WellNest.

Their goal is simple:

Make sure homeowners understand the hidden risks inside their homes and have access to the information and resources they need to protect their families.

Learn >> Test >> Act 

Now you know. You've found your community. Stay healthy. A healthy home is a healthy family.

-The Sullivans

Ontario, Canada