Home Inspection
I follow a comprehensive Residential Standards of Practice. This means that I’ll inspect the visible and accessible structure, systems and components of the home, inside and out, from the foundation to the roof, using the latest tools and technology. Following my evaluation, I’ll compile my findings in an easy-to-read report, which will include detailed descriptions and high-resolution digital photos of any issues I’ve discovered. I’ll deliver your report within 24 hours, and my job isn’t finished until you understand everything in it.
Thermal Infrared Imaging Inspection
I use a state-of-the-art infrared camera to find problems that aren’t always apparent to the naked eye. An IR camera translates the heat signatures of objects into colors on a gradient scale, with higher temperatures appearing as lighter colors, and lower temperatures and wet areas appearing as darker colors. By evaluating these images, I can detect sources of energy loss, locate areas of moisture intrusion, pinpoint dangerous hot spots in the electrical system, and uncover other problems, such as wood-destroying pest and rodent infestations, as well as flue leaks in the chimney, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Click here for more Infrared information.
Click here for more Infrared information.
Radon Measurement
Although radon is a naturally occurring gas in our environment, it's also the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the Surgeon General. One out of 15 homes is estimated to have dangerously elevated radon levels. The Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend testing all houses. I utilize Airthings Corentium Pro Digital Radon Monitor which monitors radon by sensing the particle Alpha. Alpha particles are emitted as by the radioactive gas radon. Airthings Corentium Pro Digital Radon Monitor is calibrated to detect any Alpha particles in your air. Millions of Americans have had their homes tested for radon, and you should, too.
Radon in Homes
- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides information on radon and how to protect your family's health. MDH recommends that every Minnesota home be tested for radon.
- Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that comes from the soil. The gas can accumulate in the home. Radon gas decays into fine particles that are radioactive. When inhaled, these fine particles can damage the lungs. Exposure to radon over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer.
- It is estimated that 21,000 people die each year in the United States from lung cancer due to radon exposure. A radon test is the only way to know how much radon is in your home. Radon can be reduced with a mitigation system.
- Radon is produced from the natural decay of uranium and radium, found in rocks and soil. Uranium breaks down to radium, and radium eventually decays into the gas radon. Radon gas is in the soil and common throughout Minnesota. Because soil is porous, radon moves up from the soil and into the home. It can then accumulate in the air and become a health concern.
- Radon is a serious public health concern in Minnesota. The average radon level in Minnesota is more than three times higher than the U.S. radon level. This is due to our geology and how our homes are operated. Minnesota homes are closed up or heated most of the year, which can result in higher levels of radon. In Minnesota, more than two in five homes have radon levels that pose a significant health risk.
