The Diagnostic Building Inspection

The Diagnostic Building Inspection is the core of PSC's service. This state-of-the-art "whole house" inspection evaluates health and safety, durability, comfort and energy efficiency and gives us the information we need to recommend the best solutions to building performance problems.

Customer interview: We begin each inspection asking each customer about the specific concerns that prompted their call and about their long-term goals and concerns for their property. We also ask about comfort and maintenance concerns they are experiencing and about health conditions such as asthma, allergies, and headaches that may be caused or made worse by conditions within the building.

Visual inspection: Our Building Performance Institute-certified inspectors perform a thorough basement-to-attic visual inspection to spot existing and potential problems, including mold, peeling paint, and damaged or malfunctioning heat systems. This open wall cavity allows cold attic air to circulate through the house's interior walls. Sealing and insulating it will reduce energy bills and increase occupant comfort.

Pressure diagnostics: We use digital pressure gauges and a powerful fan known as a blower door to pinpoint air leakage paths through the attic, walls, basement, and duct systems. The blower door also allows us to measure reductions in leakage achieved through air sealing. Bill King measuring air leakage with a blower door. Infrared thermography: We use infrared imaging to look behind walls and identify thermal weak spots such as missing or improperly installed insulation. Used in conjunction with a blower door, infrared imaging can also be used to detect hidden air leaks. This infrared scan reveals excessive heat loss through both windows and walls.

Combustion safety and efficiency: We test furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and gas stoves for carbon monoxide and fuel leaks and evaluate heating and cooling efficiency. Typical tests include:

• Carbon monoxide
• Steady state efficiency (SSE)
• Air handler flow and heat rise
• Combustion appliance zone depressurization
• Chimney draft
• Smoke (oil systems)
• Gas leak detection (natural gas and propane)
• Duct leakage (DuctBlaster)