How Long Does a Radon Test Take?
Most people assume testing for radon means waiting months before they know anything. That's not the full picture — and if you're in Regina, you don't have to sit on a question mark for three months before deciding what to do.
Here's how radon testing actually works, and how Begone Radon can give you a clear direction within 24 to 48 hours.
The Problem With Waiting
Radon levels fluctuate constantly — hour to hour, day to day, with the weather, the season, and how sealed up your home is. That's the reason Health Canada recommends a minimum 91-day test for a confirmed annual average. Three months of data smooths out those swings and gives you a number you can confidently act on.
But here's the reality: most homeowners don't want to place a device in their basement in October and wait until January to find out if they have a problem. They want to know now
That's exactly what a professional assessment visit is for.
What Begone Radon Does Differently
When we come out to your home, we bring a professional-grade continuous radon monitor. Within an hour of setup, it starts logging readings. Within 24 to 48 hours, we have enough data to give you a clear, actionable answer — one of three outcomes:
Your levels are fine. You're well below Health Canada's guideline of 200 Bq/m³. We'll recommend a long-term test to confirm your annual average, but you can breathe easy in the meantime.
Your levels are elevated but not alarming. We'll recommend a proper long-term test — minimum 91 days — to nail down your annual average before making a mitigation decision.
Your levels are high. We can tell you with confidence that mitigation is the right next step. No need to wait three months to confirm what the data is already showing clearly.
One visit. One to two days. A clear direction — instead of months of uncertainty.
The Two Formal Test Types (And When They Matter)
For the record, here's how the standard testing options break down:
Long-term test (91 days minimum) — the gold standard. A passive alpha track detector or electronic monitor logs your home's radon level over a full heating season. Results give you a reliable annual average. Required if you're making a mitigation decision based on a DIY kit.
Short-term test (2–7 days) — useful for real estate transactions where a quick conditional reading is needed. Results can swing significantly from actual averages and aren't recommended by Health Canada as the basis for mitigation decisions on their own.
A professional assessment with calibrated equipment sits above both — faster than a long-term test, far more reliable than a short-term kit, and interpreted by someone who can tell you exactly what the numbers mean for your home.
When Should You Test?
Fall and winter are ideal in Regina. When your home is sealed up for heating season, radon has the best conditions to accumulate — meaning a test done October through April gives you the most accurate picture of your actual exposure.
That said, radon doesn't take summers off. If you want to know now, any time of year is better than waiting.
Where the Test Gets Placed
Whether we're doing a professional assessment or setting up a long-term detector, placement matters:
Lowest lived-in level of the home — wherever your family spends at least four hours a day
0.5 to 2 metres from the floor (breathing zone)
Away from exterior walls, windows, doors, vents, and appliances
Not in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or unfinished basement storage areas
Leave it undisturbed for the full test period. Moving it affects the result.
What Your Result Means
Results come in Bq/m³ — Becquerels per cubic metre. Here's the Health Canada breakdown:
Below 200 Bq/m³ — below the guideline. Retest every 2–5 years or after major renovations.
200 Bq/m³ or above — mitigate within one year. Higher levels mean sooner.
Significantly elevated — don't wait. Book mitigation now.
Regina's Radon Reality
Research by the Evict Radon National Study found 1 in 2 Regina homes exceeded Health Canada's guideline. Researchers called Regina the most radon-exposed city on the planet. There's no way to predict your home's level based on your street, your neighbourhood, or how old your house is. The only way to know is to test.
The faster you know, the faster you can act.
Book a Professional Assessment
Begone Radon comes to your home, sets up our monitor, and gives you a clear answer within 24 to 48 hours. No waiting three months to find out if you have a problem worth solving.
