Specialty Services
Specialty Inspection Services
Radon Testing, Sewer Scopes, Infrared Thermal Imaging, Aerial (Drone) Roof Inspections, and Deck Inspections
Advanced diagnostic services that go beyond the standard visual inspection — bringing certified expertise and specialized equipment to every engagement.
Radon Testing
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless — and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Colorado's geology makes radon a serious concern throughout the Front Range and Northern Colorado.
Why Test for Radon?
The EPA estimates that nearly 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels. In Colorado, that number is significantly higher. Radon enters homes through foundation cracks, construction joints, and gaps around service pipes. The only way to know your home's radon level is to test.
Certified & Licensed
Jon holds both national and state-level credentials for radon measurement — among the most rigorous in the industry.
- NRPP Certified Radon Measurement Professional#113081 RMP
- Colorado Licensed Radon Measurement Professional#RME.0000181
Periodic Retesting & Mitigation System Verification
A single radon test is not a permanent answer. The EPA recommends that all homes be retested periodically — radon levels can change over time due to shifts in soil conditions, home renovations, changes in ventilation, or seasonal variation.
Homes without a mitigation system
The EPA recommends retesting every two years, or any time you make significant changes to the home — finishing a basement, adding an addition, or altering the HVAC system. Conditions that affect radon entry can change, and a prior low result does not guarantee current levels remain safe.
Homes with an active mitigation system
An active radon mitigation system requires periodic verification that it is still performing correctly. The EPA recommends testing every two years. A properly functioning active mitigation system should achieve a 48-hour average radon level of 2.0 pCi/L or less. If a retested home with a mitigation system exceeds that threshold, the system should be inspected and serviced by a qualified mitigation contractor.
How It Works
Placement
Certified measurement devices are placed in the lowest livable area of the home — typically the basement or lowest floor. Jon runs the test for 3 days rather than the minimum 48 hours. The first 12 hours are excluded from the final report to eliminate data collected while the home restabilizes after any potential disruption to closed-house conditions — such as windows or doors left open for an extended period. This produces a cleaner, more reliable 48-hour data set.
Measurement
Jon uses professional-grade, NRPP-approved continuous radon monitors that record readings throughout the test period, providing a complete picture rather than a single snapshot. The same devices simultaneously capture complementary air quality data — carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, VOCs, and humidity levels relative to mold growth potential.
Results
Results are reported in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) based on the 48-hour test window. The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. The full report includes complete data sets for all measured parameters — radon, CO, CO₂, VOCs, and humidity — giving you a comprehensive picture of the home's air quality. Jon explains the results clearly and, if mitigation is warranted, can recommend qualified mitigation contractors.
Radon testing is a measurement service. In accordance with ASHI's Code of Ethics, Jon performs inspections and testing only — no repair or mitigation work, ever. This ensures complete impartiality: his findings are never influenced by a financial interest in the outcome. If elevated radon levels are found, he will provide guidance on next steps and can refer you to qualified, independent mitigation professionals.
Infrared Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging uses an infrared camera to detect temperature differences across surfaces — revealing conditions that are invisible to the naked eye. Jon is professionally trained and certified in building science thermography, and includes thermal imaging as a supplemental diagnostic tool on applicable inspections.
What Thermal Imaging Can Reveal
Moisture intrusion
Temperature anomalies can indicate suspected moisture behind walls, under flooring, or in ceilings — often before visible damage appears.
Insulation deficiencies
Missing, settled, or improperly installed insulation shows as thermal bridging or cold spots in exterior walls and ceilings.
Air leakage
Gaps in the building envelope allow conditioned air to escape and outside air to infiltrate — thermal imaging can help locate these pathways.
Electrical overheating
Overloaded circuits, failing connections, and overheating components can appear as hot spots in electrical panels and outlets.
Certifications
- Certified Building Science Thermographer#33138
- Certified Residential Thermographer (CRT)#20261021009
- Infrared Moisture Detection (IMD)#2026102009
Infrared imaging is a supplemental inspection tool. Thermal anomalies indicate conditions that may warrant further investigation — they are not, by themselves, confirmation of moisture, defects, or concealed damage. Jon does not perform repairs; findings are reported objectively so you can make informed decisions.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Whether a home is new or old, its sewer line is vulnerable to defects that can lead to costly backups and repairs, and a camera inspection is the only reliable way to determine the true condition of the system. A sewer scope inspection passes a camera through the main sewer line to identify low areas, root intrusion, pipe damage, blockages, build-up, offset joints, and deterioration. These conditions cannot be detected during a standard home inspection, yet they can result in thousands of dollars in repair costs after closing.
Meet Evan Rudolph
Sewer scope inspections at Inspections By Referral are performed by Evan Rudolph, a full-time firefighter and the son of Jon, our founder.
Evan completed extensive training under a licensed plumber and sewer scope technician, intentionally seeking out a wide range of conditions and issue types across the Northern Colorado market. This foundation gives him a clear understanding of what a healthy sewer line looks like, and what signals a problem.
With more than six years of sewer scope experience, Evan brings the same thoroughness and clear communication that define every Inspections By Referral service.
Professional-Grade Equipment
2-inch diameter camera
Our 2-inch camera head is purpose-sized to capture the full interior circumference of both standard 3-inch and 4-inch sewer pipes. Smaller cameras can leave blind spots along the pipe wall, allowing defects to go unseen. Our equipment is matched to the pipe.
High-definition fiber optic
Our camera system uses high-definition fiber optic technology, delivering image and video quality among the highest available in sewer inspection. Where site conditions allow, you see exactly what Evan sees, in sharp, clear detail. Some lines include obstructions or low areas (bellies) where the camera is submerged, which can limit visibility, but the quality of our equipment ensures we capture as much as conditions permit. Paired with a technician trained to recognize what the footage shows, it reveals details that lower-grade equipment and less experienced operators often miss.
Full video documentation
Every inspection is recorded in full. Where site conditions allow, you receive video of the entire sewer line run, not just still photos of problem areas. When possible, defect locations are also marked and documented at the surface, with approximate depths below grade determined. This gives you, and any plumber you consult, a complete and unambiguous record of the line’s condition, along with the information needed to find and address any issues efficiently.
When to Add a Sewer Scope
Every home should have a sewer scope inspection, whether it is brand new or decades old. New construction is not exempt from defects such as improper slope, damaged or crushed pipe, and construction debris, and older homes carry the added risks of root intrusion, deterioration, and aging materials. Because most of the sewer line is buried and out of sight, a camera inspection is the only way to know the true condition of the pipe and the system.
For homebuyers, timing matters. The scope should be completed before closing, and ideally before your inspection objection deadline, while you still have leverage to negotiate repairs, request a credit, or walk away. Waiting until after that deadline can leave you responsible for problems you never had the chance to evaluate. Sewer line repairs can range from a few hundred dollars for minor issues to $20,000 or more for full line replacement, and a scope costs a small fraction of that exposure.
A scope is also worth considering for current homeowners who have recurring drain backups or slow drains, before a major landscaping or remodeling project, or when a home has mature trees near the sewer line.
Aerial (Drone) Roof Inspection
Some roofs simply cannot be safely walked — steep pitches, fragile materials, or extreme weather conditions can make a traditional roof inspection impractical or unsafe. Jon deploys a drone to capture detailed aerial imagery of the full roof surface, providing a thorough assessment without compromising safety or accuracy.
Drone inspection is used when a roof cannot be safely accessed on foot. When conditions allow, Jon walks the roof directly — a drone is a tool of necessity and precision, not a shortcut.
NADRA Deck Inspection
Decks are among the most frequently overlooked safety hazards in residential properties. They are often built without permits, modified over time, and subject to weathering that degrades structural connections in ways that aren't visible without a trained eye. Jon is certified by the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) to perform specialized deck safety inspections.
What a NADRA Deck Inspection Covers
A deck that looks fine from the surface can have serious structural deficiencies at the connections — the ledger, the post bases, and the beam-to-post hardware. These are the failure points. A NADRA-certified inspection evaluates them specifically.
Add Specialty Services to Your Inspection
Radon testing, thermal imaging, sewer scope, drone roof inspection, and deck inspection can be added to any standard inspection or scheduled as standalone services. Contact Jon to discuss what's right for your property.