As many visitors to this site know, there is a tab discussing the issue of Radon gas being a concern in the Canadian Shield. It is the number one cause of Lung Cancer after smoking, and anyone living on Chandos year round should be aware of the their Radon levels.
In Ontario, new builds are required by the 2024 Building Code, effective January 1, 2025, to include “radon rough-ins” with a subfloor depressurization system, protective soil gas barriers, and a sump pump with a sealed cover to prevent radon and soil gas ingress. These measures provide a system for easier installation of an active radon mitigation fan if future testing reveals unsafe radon levels, reducing risk in new homes.
Anyway, on my “walkabout” today I noticed some workers preparing a base for a concrete slab, and noted that they had installed piping to be used for Radon Mitigation if ever needed.
It involves installing a pipe during construction, a sealed sub-slab membrane, a granular drainage layer, and a capped pipe extending from the foundation to allow for the future installation of a fan-powered system if radon levels are found to be high.
(The thingy with the gauge beside it is preparation to pressure test water and septic lines prior to pouring concrete.)
Three cheers for our Chandos building construction community!
Chandos Lake Science 2 