Testing
Thermal Imaging Testing
Our testing services include thermal imaging, which can serve as part of a broader residential or commercial inspection or as a targeted tool for tracking down a larger problem. It’s a non-invasive technology that lets Först Consulting Group detect and document issues the human eye can’t see—including those hidden behind walls.
Telltale symptoms include signs of mold, condensation around switch plates, heat escaping through an attic, and unexplained leaks or drafts.
Thermal Imaging Can Identify:
- Damaged, wet or missing insulation
- Heat loss
- Moisture intrusion behind walls or stucco
- Hidden roof leaks
- Hot spots with electrical faults or overloaded circuits
- Overheating equipment
- Plumbing leaks in HVAC or other systems
- Broken window seals
- Draft sources
- Chimney flue leaks
- Pest infestations
Thermal Imaging Procedure
A specialized lens in Först’s thermal imaging camera scans surfaces and walls to build a detailed temperature map—called a thermogram—that appears on the display as a range of colors, marking areas of heat or cold and the anomalies between them. That gives us an accurate reference point for locating the source of a problem.
Thermal Imaging Data Reports
Först Consulting Group interprets the thermogram findings and folds them into a complete report, along with digital images, recommended remediation methods, and potential repair costs.
Because these findings are often critical, thermal imaging should be performed by an experienced inspector like Först Consulting Group. Not every inspector carries the advanced equipment—or the knowledge—needed to deliver a complete and accurate report.
Noise Testing
Noise Testing
Noise between multi-family units, or excessive noise from outside, can make living and working conditions miserable. The trouble is that the average home or building owner has no reliable way to prove there’s a problem on their own.
Noise issues often trace back to construction that failed to meet minimum code requirements, or to the use of thin materials—thin walls, missing insulation, or sub-par assemblies. Excessive levels can register between units or from mechanical equipment.
Acceptable noise levels are set by jurisdiction, and each has its own bylaws and procedures for testing. Testing must run for a set number of minutes under specific parameters and conditions—even the time of day factors into building usable evidence.
Noise Level Testing Procedures
Using a specialized noise level meter and following all jurisdictional testing guidelines, Först Consulting Group establishes a baseline noise level.
From that baseline, we generate a noise report. Based on the findings, we provide expert advice on how to proceed in building a case against the construction contractor to seek correction of the problem.
Radon Testing
Radon Testing
Radon is always present and completely undetectable by the senses—you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it—yet it can cause serious health problems when it goes unaddressed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the action guideline at less than 4 pCi/L; levels above 4 must be addressed.
What is Radon?
According to the EPA, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in the ground. It can penetrate most building materials—including concrete block, mortar, tar paper, sheetrock, wood paneling, and most insulation—and enter a structure through cracks and openings in the foundation. It typically enters the body through inhalation and ingestion.
Long-term radon exposure has been shown to cause cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Office estimates that radon contributes to as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer—a risk that climbs higher for those in the home who smoke.
When Should a Radon Test Be Performed?
For homeowners, radon testing is recommended when changing residences, building a new home, or roughly every 10 years in an existing home—more often if you live in a high-radon region.
The EPA recommends testing a house for radon before sale, but radon testing is not always part of a standard home inspection. It must be requested separately, as it can be through Först Consulting Group. Homeowners can also test before listing and include the report in the whole-house disclosure form filed with their Realtor.
Landlords carry a responsibility to test and mitigate as well, most often for ground-floor and basement rental units, multi-family apartments, and condominiums. The landlord must provide the tenant with certification verifying radon below the EPA’s recommended 4 pCi/L, within the timeframe required by the local jurisdiction.
Radon Testing Procedures.
Homes and buildings are typically closed up for 72 hours before testing—normal traffic through exterior doors is fine—with heating and cooling systems running as usual. We set up the testing equipment inside for either short-term or long-term monitoring; short-term tests are used when results are needed quickly. Because radon levels naturally fluctuate, a longer test may be recommended for a more accurate reading.
Först Consulting Group typically runs its radon equipment for 72 hours, then removes it and generates a report. Our equipment is Bluetooth-capable, so reports can be transferred wirelessly to your phone or computer. If levels come back higher than recommended, we consult on methods to mitigate the radon and restore a healthy environment.