Your Waterloo home may have a radon rough-in. That is not a system.
South West Radon installs and completes C-NRPP certified radon mitigation in Waterloo homes, new builds and older ones alike, guaranteed below 75 Bq/m3 and verified with a post-install test. Protecting homes. Protecting health.
You have the number. We are the fix.
Most people reach us after a test comes back over Health Canada's 200 Bq/m3, or after a neighbour's did. You do not need to wade through the science or wait on another round of testing to get moving. You need it fixed, verified, and off your mind, and that is the entire job.
You already tested
Bring us the number. We design the system to your result and your Waterloo home, and the post-install test proves where you finished.
Your neighbour tested
Same soil and the same era of construction, but radon varies house to house. A high result next door is a real reason to act, not a guarantee your home is also high. Our guarantee is an absolute number rather than a percentage reduction, so it still means something without a "before" reading: the post-install test shows exactly where your home has landed.
You are buying or selling
A radon result on a conditional does not have to derail the deal. We handle the fix and give you the documentation the transaction needs.
Why does radon matter in Waterloo?
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Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, after smoking.
Roughly 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada are linked to indoor radon exposure.
Bq/m3 is the level at which Health Canada recommends taking action. The WHO suggests a stricter 100 Bq/m3.
References: Health Canada, Radon · Take Action on Radon. Last updated August 2026.
Does a new Waterloo home already have radon protection?
Usually not a working one. Since January 1, 2025 the Ontario Building Code requires new construction to include a soil gas barrier, a whole house ventilation system, and a rough-in for a subfloor depressurization system. A rough-in is a gravel layer and a capped pipe. It has no fan, it is not balanced, and it has never been tested. Until someone completes it, it does not reduce your radon level.
A rough-in is a pipe, not protection
The code asks the builder to leave the option open. It does not ask anyone to prove your air is safe. No fan, no measured result, no guarantee.
Most Waterloo homes predate it entirely
The requirement is recent. The subdivisions built through the 2000s and 2010s, and every older home in the city, have no barrier and no rough-in at all.
We complete rough-ins properly
We verify the pipe actually reaches permeable fill, seal the entry points, fit and balance the correct fan, then test to prove the number came down.
Why can two Waterloo houses on one street test differently?
Because the ground under them is not uniform. Waterloo sits on the Waterloo Moraine, roughly 30 to 120 metres of permeable sand and gravel laid down over carbonate bedrock. Radon forms from the decay of uranium in soil and rock, and permeable ground gives that gas easy paths to travel. Where it surfaces depends on your soil, your foundation and how your house is heated.
Your neighbour's result is not your result
Two identical houses side by side can measure very differently. A radon level cannot be predicted, inherited or assumed. It has to be measured in your own home.
Winter is when it concentrates
A heated home in a Waterloo winter acts like a chimney, pulling soil gas up through the lowest level. That is why long term testing is done over the heating season.
The basement is where it collects
Radon is heaviest where the house meets the ground. A finished basement, a rec room or a lower level bedroom is where exposure actually happens.
Does radon matter in a Waterloo rental or basement apartment?
Yes, and more than in most rooms of the house. Waterloo has a large rental and student housing stock, and radon collects in the lowest occupied level of a building. A finished basement unit is exactly where a tenant sleeps and exactly where the level is highest. Testing a lower level unit is not optional diligence, it is where the actual exposure is.
Landlords and property owners
We test and mitigate rental properties, student houses and multi unit conversions, and give you the post-install reading in writing for your records.
One system covers the building
A properly designed system protects the whole structure, not one unit. It runs quietly, costs a few dollars a month in electricity, and needs almost no attention.
Documented for real estate
Buying, selling or refinancing, you get a certified result and system documentation, so radon stops being an open question in the transaction.
What is the site inspection?
It is a paid, educational walkthrough of your home with a C-NRPP certified professional. We look at your foundation, your test result and the routes radon is actually using, explain your options in plain language, and leave you with a firm written price. If you go ahead with the mitigation, the inspection fee is credited back in full against the job.
An assessment, not a sales call
You get a certified professional's time and a proper look at your Waterloo home. Nobody is there to pressure you, and you keep what you learn either way.
Credited back in full
Proceed with the work and the fee comes straight off the price of your mitigation, so the inspection ends up costing you nothing.
You leave with a firm price
Not a range and not a guess. A written number for your specific home, so you can make the decision on real information. Note: the quoted price is based on what we find during the site inspection. In the rare case that diagnostic tests on-site reveal additional scope, we will explain the change and give you an updated written price before any work begins.
What makes a South West Radon system different?
Two systems can both move radon and still be very different to live with. We design for what happens after we leave: whether your sump stays serviceable, how loud the fan is in your living space, and whether you can get ahold of us if something needs attention.
Your sump pump stays fully serviceable
We cap sump pits with a dome that lets you get at the pump without dismantling the radon system. A failing sump is an emergency, and the last thing you should be doing is taking a radon system apart to reach it.
Designed for noise, not just radon
Every system gets designed twice: once to move the radon, once to stay quiet. Fan sizing follows from the ambient pressure calculations. Get those wrong and you get a system that is louder than it needs to be, works harder than it should, and costs you more in the long run: a larger fan draws more electricity, and the stronger suction pulls more conditioned air out of your home with it (the energy penalty). The difference between a correctly sized #1 fan and an oversized #4 fan can mean roughly $20 a year versus $180 a year to run. Over 10 to 15 years, that adds up.
You get a person, and a fast one
Response time is a service standard here rather than an afterthought. Radon questions tend to arrive with a deadline attached, whether that is a sale closing or a family worried about a result.
Maintenance free, and that is deliberate
The system is designed so you can forget it exists. Nothing to service, nothing to empty, nothing to book. The fan is the only part with a service life, which is exactly why we specify a good one instead of the cheapest that meets spec, and swapping one is a simple job.
A certified partner, not a handyman with a fan
Radon work is health work, and the only proof it worked is a measured number. We are certified under the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program, we carry substantial liability and pollution insurance, and we put the guarantee in writing before we start.
C-NRPP certified and fully insured
We are certified under the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program and carry substantial liability and pollution insurance, so the job is done to standard and you are protected.
A guarantee with a real number
We do not say "improved air quality" and hope. We commit in writing to below 75 Bq/m3, far under Health Canada's 200 limit, and we prove it with a post-install test.
Local to Waterloo and the region
We live and work here. We know the housing stock, the soil, and why Waterloo basements test the way they do, and we are minutes away, not hours.
Systems built to last the life of the home
Once the pipe and system are in there is almost nothing to maintain except the fan years down the road. It is a one-time fix for permanent peace of mind.
From radon number to a safe home in four steps
You want it fixed
Your test came back high, a neighbour's did, or a sale depends on it. Call us with your number, or without one.
Site inspection
A paid, educational walkthrough of your home with a certified professional. You get your options explained and a firm written price, and the fee is credited back in full if you proceed.
One-day install
A typical residential system goes in within a day, clean and tidy, with the vent routed properly to the exterior.
Verified below the limit
We run a post-install test and hand you the reading that proves where your home landed.
Radon mitigation across Waterloo and the surrounding region
We serve every Waterloo neighbourhood, from the century homes near Uptown to the newest subdivisions on the west side. If you are just outside this list, call and ask.
- Uptown Waterloo
- Westmount
- Beechwood
- Laurelwood
- Vista Hills
- Clair Hills
- Columbia Forest
- Eastbridge
- Lakeshore
- Lincoln Heights
- Conservation Meadows
- Northdale
- Erbsville
- St. Jacobs
- Elmira
- Bloomingdale
Reviews from real Waterloo area customers
These are unedited Google reviews from homeowners we have worked with. Nothing here is written by us.
We recently moved to a new place, and decided to do radon mitigation after a few months of testing. We've had several other contractors through in the past few months, and South West Radon was by far the best experience overall. The entire process with South West Radon was outstanding. Phil took the time to do a thorough visit and consultation, explaining the options, steps, showed us examples of different units, noise level, etc., without any feeling of upselling or pushing. During the install, we discovered an issue with the layout of our home that required a modified plan, and they offered us several alternatives. Installation was quick, professional, and competitively priced. We've done continued testing and our radon levels have absolutely plummeted, and are comparable with outdoor ambient levels, with virtually no negatives like noise.
HillsideGoogle reviewPhil and his team are the definition of class act! When I contacted him initially, he was patiently explaining of how we shouldn't rush our decision in mitigating and get proper testing for our finished basement. I am very impressed of his professionalism. When we finally decided to mitigate, he showed up early, explained everything that him and his team were going to do. Throughout the day he made sure we were properly informed of all the procedure, and he also cleaned up the house afterward as well. Our radon level now is like barely around 5 bq/m3. If you need someone to take care of your basement radon, contact Phil!
Michael SuryaGoogle reviewProfessional from start to finish. The team clearly knows their business, communicated consistently, and provided transparent, detailed quoting with no surprises. The installation was completed with clean, precise workmanship, and the entire experience reflected a high level of expertise and integrity. Have already referred to others and highly recommend.
Glen BergenGoogle reviewRadon mitigation FAQ
Does my new Waterloo home already have a radon system?
Almost certainly not a working one. Since January 1, 2025 the Ontario Building Code requires new construction to include a soil gas barrier and a rough-in for a subfloor depressurization system, plus whole house ventilation. A rough-in is a capped pipe over granular fill. Without a fan, balancing and a verification test it does not reduce your radon level. We complete rough-ins into active, tested systems.
Why do you charge for a site inspection?
Because it is a real assessment by a C-NRPP certified professional rather than a sales visit. You get a paid, educational walkthrough of your home, an explanation of your options, and a firm written price for the work. If you go ahead with the mitigation, the inspection fee is credited back in full against the job, so it ends up costing you nothing.
Do I need to test before you can fix it?
No. Most people come to us with a result already in hand and that is the most direct route, but you do not have to wait for one. Plenty of homeowners mitigate because a neighbour tested high, or simply because they want the protection in place. Because our guarantee is an absolute number rather than a percentage reduction, it still means something without a "before" reading: the post-install test shows exactly where your home has landed.
Will the system need maintenance?
Almost none, and that is deliberate. The system is designed so you can forget about it: there is nothing to service, nothing to empty and nothing to schedule. The fan is the only component with a service life, which is why we specify a good quality one rather than the cheapest that meets spec. If one ever does fail it is a straightforward replacement. We suggest retesting every couple of years or after major renovations, simply because that is good practice.
I have a radon rough-in. Can you just add a fan?
Sometimes, but not blindly. We first confirm the rough-in actually terminates in clean permeable fill, that the slab and entry points are properly sealed, and that the pipe can be routed out through the side of the home. Then we size and fit the right fan and run a post-install test. Adding a fan to a rough-in nobody verified is how homes end up with a system that runs but does not work.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Waterloo?
Most residential radon mitigation systems in the Waterloo area run about $3,200 to $4,000. Completing an existing code rough-in can be less. Larger, commercial or complex homes can be higher. You always get a firm written quote before any work begins.
Can radon be a problem in a basement apartment or student rental?
Yes. Radon accumulates in the lowest occupied level of a building, which in Waterloo is very often a finished basement unit. That is where a tenant spends the night and where the level is highest, so it is the level that matters most to test.
What radon level is considered safe?
Health Canada recommends taking action to reduce radon when the level is above 200 Bq/m3, and the World Health Organization suggests a stricter reference level of 100 Bq/m3. We design every system to bring your home below 75 Bq/m3, well under both, so you have real margin.
How long does the installation take?
A typical residential system is installed in a single day. We then run a post-install radon test, a minimum of three days, to verify your home is below the 75 Bq/m3 guarantee before we call the job done.
Do you guarantee the radon level will drop?
Yes. We guarantee your home will measure below 75 Bq/m3 after mitigation, or as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) in the rare case that a building restriction physically prevents reaching that number. Either way it is confirmed by a post-install verification test, and if the result is not where it should be, we make it right.
Book your Waterloo site inspection
Tell us a bit about your home and your radon result, and we will book your site inspection: a paid, educational walkthrough with a C-NRPP certified professional, your options explained, and a firm written price. The fee is credited back in full if you proceed. Prefer to talk now? Call (519) 807-1995.
Book my site inspection
We reply the same day, most days.
A capped pipe is not protection.
Let us turn the rough-in in your basement into a working system with a measured number behind it.