If your more comfortable going to a qualified herpstat then go for it. Make sure however the Vet has experience. I have seen a lot of Vets take on an appointment for a snake that actually do not have any experience with Snakes and have prescribed or diagnosed things that were completely incorrect over and over on these Forums.
I myself do not like wood substrate. People use it, however if you look at people that deal with a large number of reptiles or breeders they often use butcher paper because of health and cleanliness issues.
I have seen snakes have problems with dust and wood pieces themselves getting into their mouth, throat and sinus’s.
If your snake does not have discharge it most likely is not a RI. I have also heard snakes coming down with an RI and not showing mucus symptoms yet kick the RI just by cranking the heat as their immune system was good.
You do not want any surface in that enclosure below 78°. Your hot side needs to be 88 to 91.
Remember no thermometer is perfect so if people have a Hot Spot of 86 it could be 83. If you have a cool spot of 75 it could be 72 and this is Dangerous period. Thermometers measure within 3°..... nothing is perfect.
Humidity can play a big role also as you mentioned you had some trouble with yours. If you’re using a breeder tank with a screen lid make sure you have the screen top covered with plexiglass or cardboard. Even a towel can work.
I missed what you are using but if your having a problem with heating use a heat mat on both sides, one set to 80 and the other 90.
That way anything that you’re using overtop for ambient isn’t such a necessity with the floor being correct.
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