IR Thermography

Infrared (IR) Thermography (also known as an infrared thermal scan) is a useful tool to help find anomalies that may otherwise remain hidden in walls, floors and ceilings. Infrared energy is heat energy. A properly trained infrared thermographer can interpret an infrared image and determine if a roof or plumbing leak exists, if there is missing wall or ceiling insulation, if an electrical component is reaching critical temperature levels, or if no major issues exist at all. The purpose of most thermography work, as performed by home inspectors, relates to looking for anomalies within a building. An anomaly is a situation that is otherwise not to be expected under normal conditions. For more information, please contact Cree Homes Services.

Insects and other organisms can wreak havoc on a home's structure with no obvious visible signs. Cree Home Services wood destroying organism/insect inspection can be performed at the same time as one of our other inspections, or on its own. You'll know if termites, ants, dry rot, or another type of destructive organism has worked its way into your house, and your home inspector will provide you with advice on how to handle the problem. For more information, please contact Cree Home Services.

A mold inspector "tests" the air or surface to find out what kind of mold exists and/or if the mold found is able to grow in the area tested. Cree Home Services follows the IAC2 Mold Inspection Standards of Practice.

Air samples can be taken and analyzed in a variety of ways. The most common method uses a "spore trap" and is called a "spore trap sample." Spore traps work by having a known volume of air pass impact a sticky surface as it passes through the spore trap sampling device. Most of the particles in the air also impact this sticky surface and consequently adhere to, and are captured on, this sticky surface. Mold spores comprise a subset of these 'particles in the air' and also are captured on the sticky medium inside the spore trap. When the spore trap is sent to the mold testing laboratory for analysis, the mold laboratory opens the spore trap, applies some stains to the sticky surface that the mold spores can absorb, and then identifies and quantifies the types of mold spores captured during the sampling process. There are other methods of mold sampling, including culturing or growing the mold spores captured from the air, but these are less commonly used.

Radon is an odorless, colorless and radioactive gas produced by natural uranium decay in the ground. According to various governmental and/or health-related agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. The only way to know your home's concentration is to perform a test.

Cree Home Services performs professional radon testing that meets US EPA guidelines. The test results will indicate what, if any, action needs to be taken. Radon remediation (also called 'radon mitigation') is usually a simple and relatively inexpensive process in most homes. If you are concerned about the radon concentration in your home or simply have radon-related questions, please contact Cree Home Services for more information. A test can be performed in conjunction with a home inspection or as a stand-alone service.