Why Choose Us: Radon Experts for a Safer Environment
What makes MB Radon Solutions stand out among the competition?
"In the business world, sometimes it's the small things that make a world of difference."
Below are some of the things that make the difference:
MB Radon Solutions
Valid General Contractor's Licence
MB Radon Solutions holds a valid General Contractor’s Licence issued by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec.
RBQ#: 5633-6548-01
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Competitors
Contractor's Licence?
The Competitors say they have a Contractor’s Licence issued by the province but in many instances, cannot provide any proof of that. Clients shouldn't be shy to ask for proof of that licence or can verify themselves to see if they have a licence on the Régie du bâtiment du Quebec's website.
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MB Radon Solutions
Licence Security
In order to maintain a valid Contractor's licence with the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec, MB Radon Solutions must maintain Licence Security which is a financial guarantee that any contractor holding a licence must provide as a security for the performance of contractual obligations toward its clients.
For consumers, this requirement provides better protection as it ensures compensation for damages as a result of faulty performance or non-performance of construction work.
Competitors
Licence Security?
The Competitors who do not hold a valid Contractor's Licence with the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec are not required to have this type of security.
Therefore, the clients are not protected against damages as a result of faulty performance or non-performance of construction work.
MB Radon Solutions
General Liability Insurance
MB Radon Solutions maintains a $2 million dollar commercial general liability insurance policy that covers claims arising from damage or injury (caused by negligence or acts of omission) during the performance of his or her duties or business. An added piece of mind for the Clients.
Competitors
General Liability Insurance?
The Competitors may have some sort of general liability insurance but the protection of the Client's property may be limited, especially in the province of Quebec if the contractor is from another province.
MB Radon Solutions
Post Mitigation Radon Testing
Following the installation of a radon mitigation system, MB Radon Solutions provides the homeowners for a limited time period free of charge, with a Continuous Radon Monitor which monitors the post-mitigation radon levels on a continuous basis. This type of radon monitor provides a digital readout which allows the homeowners the opportunity to visually verify the changes in the radon levels on a daily, weekly and long-term basis if required. MB Radon Solutions can also provide follow up testing for radon-in-water issues if further testing is required or requested by the clients.
MB Radon Solutions also provides a life-long support to the homeowners for any questions or concerns they may have concerning their installation.
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Competitors
Post Mitigation Radon Testing
Some Competitors will specify in their contracts that the Client must purchase a digital radon monitor to do the post-mitigation testing with and therefore puts the emphasis on the shoulders of the Client to do the post-mitigation radon testing rather than on themselves.
Other Competitors will make arrangements with another firm to get a short term radon test done in the home following the radon mitigation system installation. In some cases, the client may be responsible to pay for those additional testing services. Depending on the type of short term radon test provided, the homeowner will normally get a report with only (1) number which will represent the average radon levels during the test period. This does not provide the client with the opportunity to see the daily and weekly fluctuations in the radon levels during that post-mitigation test period.
Clients should be aware of these possible additional costs.
MB Radon Solutions
Pipe Supports
MB Radon Solutions now uses a patented floor flange that is sealed and bolted to the floor to ensure a solid and permanently sealed installation for all of their sub-slab radon mitigation systems (whenever feasible). This ensures a sturdy installation at the base and ensures that the piping always stays vertical and straight.
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Competitors
Pipe Supports
The Competitors still use the method of sealing their pipes penetrating through the concrete floor with simple foam backer rod and polyurethane caulking. Even though this technique is still acceptable, this method is not as sturdy and durable as the new technique using the patented floor flange.
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Competitors
Electrical Connections
Most Competitors supply only an extension cord for the hookup of the radon fans which in many instances goes against the Canadian Electrical Code which specifies that extension chords (>6 feet) are for temporary uses only and not for a permanent installation.
Homeowners are then required to hire an electrician after the installation to get a permanent plug/switch installed. (~$150 - $200)
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MB Radon Solutions
Aesthetics
As a General Contractor, MB Radon Solutions is aware that correcting the radon problem for the client is extremely important but also realizes that for many clients, aesthetics is just as important as the correction of the radon problem itself. MB Radon Solutions therefore strives to always make their installations not only efficient at reducing the radon levels but also strives to make them as aesthetically pleasing as possible in the process.
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Competitors
Aesthetics
Certain Competitors tend to concentrate only on the installation of their mitigation systems for the mitigation of the radon levels in the home and don't think much about the aesthetics side of their work. This attitude often leads to poor workmanship and inferior quality (see picture for crooked pipes).
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MB Radon Solutions
Piping
MB Radon Solutions uses only the best Schedule 40 PVC DWV commercial grade plumbing pipe (grey) containing fire and smoke classifications for all their new radon mitigation installations. This is the only PVC DWV piping that is acceptable for commercial grade construction throughout the province. Be cautious of those that use the cheap white schedule 20 PVC thin wall sewer pipe. Sometimes known as BNQ sewer pipe.
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Competitors
Piping
Some Competitors use the cheap white schedule 20 PVC sewer pipe and try to pass it off as schedule 40 piping. This type of white piping has a very thin wall and is easily damaged both in the truck and out in the field. When mishandled by the contractor, hairline cracks can develop lengthwise in the pipe and may not be noticeable. These cracks could develop leaks which may create elevated radon levels in the home over time. These thin wall pipes also cause condensation on the outside of the pipe in the summer time which may cause mold issues in the home.
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MB Radon Solutions
Protection and Cleanliness
MB Radon Solutions always strives to protect the client's property during their work. They use rubber runners and tarps to protect the client's flooring at all times and makes sure to clean up the work site before leaving. The clients will often comment that "the place is cleaner than it was before". We always treat the client's home as if it was our own.
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MB Radon Solutions
Diagnostics/Communication Testing
MB Radon Solutions is the only radon mitigation company that is fully equipped to do exhaustive and thorough Pressure Field Extension testing (also known as Communication Testing). These tests ensure that the radon mitigation system installed will not only be efficient at reducing the radon levels in the home but will also minimize the loss of heat and conditioned air from inside the home thus saving money $$$ for the homeowner on the long term.
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Competitors
Diagnostics/Communication Testing
The Competitors say they do communication testing but in reality do it only partially since they do not have all the necessary tools to properly measure the airflow requirements for an efficient and properly installed system.
An improperly sized system will cost the homeowner more money over time especially during the winter months because of the loss of the heated air for which the homeowner has paid to heat up and for which the radon system may be simply sucking out of the basement and shooting it outside.
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MB Radon Solutions
Certified Trainer
Marcel Brascoupe, Owner and operator of MB Radon Solutions is the only certified bilingual Canadian Trainer which travels across Canada providing training courses in both French and English to other contractors who want to become certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) to do radon measurement and mitigation work. Over half the certified professionals across Canada have received their certifications through him.
This is a big advantage for many clients since Marcel can explain in detail how radon infiltrates into their homes and how the systems operate to eliminate the radon in the home, and this in a simple language that anyone can understand.
Contrary to other contractors who try and use technical language to intimidate clients from asking too many questions, Marcel encourages questions from clients to make sure they understand exactly what they are getting for their money.
Competitors
Certified Trainer
For the moment, there are no Competitors out there that could say that they have the necessary experience and knowledge to become a national trainer in the areas of radon measurement and mitigation.
In the case of Marcel Brascoupe from MB Radon Solutions on the other hand, we can say that at the present time, over half of the certified radon mitigation professionals across Canada have been certified through him.
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MB Radon Solutions
Sub-Membrane Depressurization Systems
MB Radon Solutions have been installing sub-membrane depressurization systems for radon reduction since 2008. With a 100% success rate at reducing the radon levels below the Canadian Recommended Actionnable level of 200 Bq/m³ in all of the homes they have mitigated over the years, they have developed an expertise in these unique types of installations. MB Radon Solutions doesn't have to brag that they have an expertise (like other companies do on their web sites) with these types of installations, they prove it out in the field with their quality workmanship and materials. Like they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words". Judge for yourselves:
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MB Radon Solutions always seals and mechanically attaches their membranes to the exterior foundation walls for their sub-membrane depressurization systems. This ensures a permanent seal over time.
Competitors
Sub-Membrane Depressurization Systems
Some Competitors claim on their websites to be the only experts in Canada for the installation of sub-membrane radon mitigation systems. Their systems may reduce the radon levels in the home but their lack of detail and poor workmanship are often left to be desired.
They often take the approach that “no one will see that in the crawl space anyways”. This is no excuse for poor workmanship.
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Some of the Competitors who call themselves "experts" use only tape at the joints where the membrane attaches to the foundation wall. Over time, these joints let go and create a lot of air leakage at these locations causing heat loss and extra money in heating costs for the homeowners.
MB Radon Solutions
Rodent Screens
MB Radon Solutions always uses top quality pre-fabricated rodent screens with stainless steel wire grids to ensure a long lasting professional and durable finish for all of their installations. The stainless steel grids used in these units cannot get eaten through by rodents such as squirrels and prevents the wire grids from rusting over time.
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Competitors
Rodent Screens
Some Competitors try to cut corners by trying to fabricate their rodent screen themselves using a variety of different materials such as mosquito screen or galvanized wire grids. These units are usually not very durable from rodent attacks and will eventually rust out over time.
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MB Radon Solutions
Roof Top Discharge Installations
MB Radon Solutions is the only company in the region that installs roof top discharge installations similar to what is seen in the USA. Having been certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) in the USA back in 2009, Marcel has been instrumental in bringing this technology here to Canada and adapting and perfecting it for our Canadian weather.
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Competitors
Roof Top Discharge Installations
The majority of Competitors across Canada only do side wall discharge installations and do not have the expertise or prefer not to do the roof top discharge type.
Because most other Competitors are not general contractors, they do not have the necessary carpentry experience to make holes properly through the roof and properly install roof flanges for the radon pipes penetrating the roof.
It is for this reason they shy away from these kinds of installations, even though in certain situations, a roof top discharge installation would be the most recommended and appropriate type of installation to use.
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MB Radon Solutions
Warranties: Realistic
MB Radon Solutions with their knowledge and experience are regularly confronted with homes that have very difficult working conditions and extremely high radon levels in the air and in the water supply, often at levels that are above 5,000 Bq/m³ in the air of the home and radon levels ranging between 1 million to 5 million Bq/m³ in the drinking water supply from the well. In these cases, it would be unrealistic to state that post-mitigation radon levels of less than 100 Bq/m³ can be easily achieved, although MB Radon Solutions can claim that all of their installations have still achieved post-mitigation radon levels below 200 Bq/m³.
General note: 100% of the installations completed by MB Radon Solutions on 2010 National Building Code compliant structures have achieved radon levels below 100 Bq/m³. For homes built before 2010, 97% of the homes have still achieved post-attenuation radon levels of less than 100 Bq/m³. The other 3%, which in most cases are extreme and difficult cases, have still reached post-mitigation radon levels of less than 200 Bq/m³.
Better to be reassured with a "realistic" warranty than disappointed by a warranty that is sometimes "unrealistic".
It should also be noted that the warranty offered by MB Radon Solutions is transferable to the future homeowners if the house is ever sold.
Competitors
Warranties: Unrealistic?
Some Competitors claim on their websites and in their documentation that 100% of their installations have achieved post-mitigation radon levels of less than 100 Bq/m³ and that they are the only company that can offer this warranty.
It must be said that Clients are in no way able to verify and validate these statements.
Furthermore, their claim is often based on the fact that they have very little experience working in very difficult working conditions and extremely high radon levels in the air of the home and in the water supply.
When we look at the Competitors' estimates and contracts in detail, we often see in the fine print a clause stating that they guarantee post-attenuation radon levels of less than 100 Bq/m³, but only if the home is 2010 National Building Code compliant. Clients should be aware that if their home was built prior to 2010, the home is not considered 2010 National Building Code compliant. In this case, the Contractor is not bound by this guarantee.
MB Radon Solutions are regularly called upon by frustrated Clients to make corrections to systems installed by Competitors because they have not been able to reach post-mitigation radon levels lower than 200 Bq/m³ and do not know what to do next to correct the situation. In some cases, MB Radon Solutions has had to condemn the installed system and reinstall a brand new system since the design of the system installed by the Competitor was inadequate right from the beginning. Unfortunately, this work often incurs additional costs for the Client.