Should You Test Your Home for Radon? YES!

Should You Test Your Home for Radon? YES!

What is Radon?

It is a radioactive gas, formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. When radon is released from the ground into your home through the basement, it is diluted and low in concentration but some Alberta home have higher levels than recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection.

Radon is the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers in Canada!

The risk is high. Radon exposure is nearly everywhere in the northwest corner of the continent. The scale of radon exposure in the Canadian Prairies is the second highest on Earth. A recent University of Calgary study, reported that one in eight Albertan homes tested over safe levels of radon gas. Results may not be seen for years but the damage to your DNA is a real concern. Exposure is estimated to be the cause of 16% of lung cancers.

Indoors - Radon can be a Big Problem

When radon mixes with the air outside, it is not a problem: the air outside dilutes the amount of radon. But when radon seeps into a closed-in space like a house, it can be harmful. You and your family can breathe in high levels of radon without knowing it. Every house in Alberta has a yearly freeze-thaw action due to the water underground. This movement causes continuous erosion. If your house is older there could be extensive gaps, fissures and cracks and many other holes allowing the gas to seep in. Testing should be done every five years or after major renovations or changes to the HVAC system. Even if neighbouring homes test low for radon, yours could still have high levels.

How Do You Test for Radon?

If your house is newly built you have to wait until the concrete cures. This takes 18 months. Then a proper radon test takes a minimum of 90 days and should be done in the winter. According to the Canadian Lung Association, web site, you should put the test device on the lowest level of your house that you use regularly at least four hours a day. Make sure it won't get knocked over. Then you mail the test device to the company’s laboratory according to package instructions. The company will analyze the test device in their laboratory and mail or email you the results.

What do I do if I have high radon levels?

Health Canada radon guidelines say that no action is required if radon is below 200 Bq/m3. However, even low levels of radon can be harmful. It is better to try to lower your home's radon level as much as possible. You need to repair your home if your home’s radon level is between 200 and 600 Bq/m3 within in the next two years and if over 600 Bq/m3 then you should repair your home within one year. You may need to hire a contractor to figure out where the radon is coming in so that you can make repairs to block the radon.

Government Mandated - Remediation.

The government has mandated that every home built since November, 2015 should have a sub-slab depressurization rough-in installation site. This allows for an effective form of radon reduction with reduced costs. Your Real Estate agent can tell you if a home that you are interested in has a rough-in depressurization site, has been recently tested, see the copy of the recorded test result and tell you if the necessary remediation has been done to make the home safe. If there is work that needs to be done to reduce radon, the estimated cost is around $2,000 to $3,000 but much less if you have a sub-slab rough-in.

Are Our Calgary Schools Safe? – They are On-To-It

You may soon receive a notice that the CBE will be conducting tests for radon gas in a number of schools across our system. Thankfully they are being proactive about our children's safety.

Christopher Ashby
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
100, 5810 2 STREET S.W.
CALGARY, AB T2H 0H2
Mobile: 403-680-4479
Office: 403-253-5305
Fax: 403-775-5156
E-mail: chris@yourhomeinalberta.com

Website: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com

A New Home for the Holidays

A New Home for the Holidays

Homebuyers - Rushing to get into Market

Canadians are in a rush. An economics strategist, Benjamin Reitzes, at the Bank of Montreal has stated that there is an upward trend in household debt. It may be because homeowners are aware of a change coming. Rietzes believes what is pushing the debt trend is homebuyers rushing to get into the market ahead of the new OSFI rule.

New Rule for Home Buyers Comes into Effect in January of 2018

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has established a new minimum qualifying rate, or "stress test," for borrowers making a down payment of more than 20% of the home's value. Previously, stress test requirements only applied to insured mortgages (those with down payments of less than 20%) and most variable mortgages and terms less than five years.

Stress Test Rule for a Prudent Regime

The stress test requirement means that buyers with uninsured mortgages need to prove that they can afford payments based on the greater of the Bank of Canada's five-year benchmark rate (currently 4.89%) or their contract mortgage rate plus two percentage points. According to Superintendent, Jeremy Rudin this will reinforce a strong and prudent regulatory regime for residential mortgage underwriting in Canada."

Time to Buy a Home?

From most perspectives, a home is one of the best purchases worth going into debt for. Do you have questions? Do you need help to figure out what to do next? Give Chris a call 403-680-4479

Survey Says - Alberta Women Have More Sex

Survey Says - Alberta Women Have More Sex

The Rest of Canada Can Learn from Albertans

According to a survey, not only are women in Alberta more satisfied with their relationships but at least 66 percent of them say they have sex about once a week. The rest of Canada compares at 50 percent. Last year's survey results recently tabulated by Chatelaine Magazine show how women aged 35 were less concerned about money due to the last few years of a robust economy and therefore a subsequently reduced stress level.   

Prairie Provinces More Laid-back

Dr. Trina Read is a Calgary-based author, columnist and sex coach. She says that, “Those people who live in western provinces tend to be a lot more laid-back than people from the east. Without the heavy social pressures and responsibility, she surmises that there is more sex. “Responsibility and good sex just don’t mix.”

Matt Johnson, an assistant professor of family ecology at the University of Alberta says that, “Incomes in Alberta tend to be a bit higher than other provinces and having higher socioeconomic status is linked with having less stress. When couples experience less stress…then their relationships have a better chance of flourishing.” This could mean they have more time to devote to their relationship, and that quality time can spill into the bedroom.

Friendship Promotes Sexual Intimacy

A Calgary-based psychologist, Carolyn Clare, specializing in gender, relationships and sexuality says, “Seventy-one percent of Albertans said that companionship kept them in their relationships, and that was higher than the rest of Canada.” The research supports the idea that deep friendship is the foundation of intimacy and satisfying sex.

Sex is a Version of Adventure

Cheryl McMeeken is a Calgary-based sex and relationship therapist. She says that from her experience in Alberta, “There’s a big focus on making your life the best it can be or maximizing your pleasure.” Overall, the survey claimed that Albertan women yearned for more travel and adventure and sex is a version of adventure.

Ready for adventure? Do you want to live in Alberta too? Are you looking to buy a condo or a home? Give Chris a call #403-680-4479

 

 

Fort McMurray – Help is on the Way!

(photo courtesy of Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images)

Fort McMurray – Help is on the Way!

We are deeply saddened by the loss and devastation forest fires have caused to the people of Fort McMurray. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Many Organizations Helping

From Airbnb helping to coordinate free emergency homes for Fort McMurray evacuees, to Red Cross humanitarian efforts to Radio-thons many are trying to help the victims of this tragedy. Other organizations are offering housing to those who were forced to leave their homes, many of whom escaped the raging fires with just the clothes on their backs. Reports claim that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is saying that 7,000 cots have been provided for Fort McMurray evacuees in emergency shelters, with 13,000 more coming soon.

How Can You Help?

Here are some ideas: When you text the word FIRES to 45678 you can donate $10 dollars or if you text the word REDCROSS to 30333 a $5 donation will be added to your wireless bill and if you text the word REDCROSS to 45678 a $10 donation will be added to your wireless bill.

Governments Matching Donations

To make your donation go twice as far, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the federal government will be joining with Alberta to match individual donations made for Fort McMurray disaster relief. According to news reports by CBC the Canadian Red Cross has received more than $30 million in donations.

About Canadian Red Cross Donations

For more information about how to help and for a larger donation and general inquiries, visit their list of Frequently Asked Questions, contact WeCare@redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111. If you have been affected by the wildfires go directly to their website to register: http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/how-we-help-canadians/red-cross-services/northern-alberta-wildfires-registration