What's in your Inspection Toolbox?

[rhumphries]

I am putting something together and need some help, please.

I need to know what are the most common inspection tools (instruments, gauges, meters, etc.) that you guys use (brand not necessary) PLUS a description of what each of those tools do, tests for, etc. Photographic references would be wonderful, as well.

Thanks, thanks, and thanks again!!!

[mnahrgang]

Most used tools in order:

Brain (to decide what needs to be communicated)
Words (to communicate)
Camera (to take pictures)
Stinger flashlight (to shed light in dark places)
3 prong electrical tester (polarity, grounding, GFCI)
Digital Thermometer (water temp, frig, stove)
Screw driver / drill driver (probe, accessing electrical panels)
2 prong moisture meter (testing moisture stains)
Tape measure (to measure things)
Binoculars (viewing tall roofs from ground)
Hex heads for drill driver (accessing some furnaces)
House slippers (for inside use, when the work shoes are muddy/dirty)

OOPS forgot the ladders, one extension for roof, one step for attics.

[rhumphries]

Thanks, Mark.

[Bob Elliott]

Close enough.

Though I prefer a reliable ratchet screw driver to a power drill.
Most use a infra red thermometer
Stinger is a brand name and I prefer my 96 LED Mag light.
Same batteries for two months now and reliable.
My most important tool as of late is My Tiff which pinpoints gas leaks, which I have been getting lately.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by relliott

...My Tiff which pinpoints gas leaks, which I have been getting lately.

Bob... I understand this can help you with that


Robert...sorry for the thread drift

[Bob Elliott]

Yes that is in my tool bag at the bottom.
With out it ,they would pay more attention to my crack while checking the sink cabinet.
Oppps more thread drift.

[W. Michael Chris]

Robert,

I agree with Mark's list and would add the following as well:
Tool pouch or bag or box (to carry tools)
Computer (for reporting software)
Water pressure gauge (to measure water pressure at outdoor tap)
Volt sensor (just to test quickly for any power at outlet or switch)
Two prong voltage tester (able to test for 120 or 220v)
And something I use that was given to me at one of the NACHI training classes, a mircowave oven tester

[Frank Magdefrau]

My #1 tool is a long handled flat head screw driver. I kill bugs, defend myself against dogs, I even slung a snake away one time with it. I remove panels, find deteriorated wood with it and even dig out weep holes with it. I use it to flush toilets (remember people wash after they go), clear brush away from areas I need to reach, and I even once used it to dig a old silver dollar out of a crack in a basement floor of a HUD House.

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by fmagdefrau

...I use it to flush toilets (remember people wash after they go),...

Oooo , I never thought of that. That does remind me though, I do carry hand sanitizer in the tool bag. I usually use it as a disinfectant when I get small cuts, but I have a feeling I'll be using it more.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

Oooo , I never thought of that. That does remind me though, I do carry hand sanitizer in the tool bag. I usually use it as a disinfectant when I get small cuts, but I have a feeling I'll be using it more.

I wear blue nitrile gloves when inspecting bathrooms, nasty kitchens, and other questionable locations.

[Bob Elliott]

Some of these are a little over kill.
Micro tester?
Volt sniffer ( give that one)
Laptop ( only if you are the minority that does them on site) (check the polls)

I always say give me my camera , screwdriver and some duct tape.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by relliott

Some of these are a little over kill.
Micro tester?
Volt sniffer ( give that one)
Laptop ( only if you are the minority that does them on site) (check the polls)

I always say give me my camera , screwdriver and some duct tape.

Not sure what the duct tape is for but a tape measure comes in handy for many things.

[Bob Elliott]

I just like duct tape.

I can measure most things with no tape measure.
Fist for stair spacing,finger tip to finger tip for 6 foot
Foot for a foot and so on.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by relliott

I just like duct tape.

So do I but I just don't know what I would do with it on an inspection unless I wanted to wrap the muzzle of a barking dog.

[Bob Elliott]

It is for all the things you break during the inspection.
All kidding aside I wish it was in my bag when I killed gas to a Water heater yesterday.
Hate to think some dummy might not understand my sign.