Do you check for gas leaks?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Do you check for gas leaks? I'm sure we all do to some extent. Wondering about what "tools" you use to do so.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

My nose but carry a Tif if needed.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Looks like matches is the economical and common way to go. Anyone want to buy a Tiff 8850?

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Looks like matches is the economical and common way to go. Anyone want to buy a Tiff 8850?

LOL, I have one but it looks like they're becoming redundant

Seriously though, I also have a Tiff, but generally only use it to confirm what my nose is telling me.

Regards

Gerry

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

LOL, I have one but it looks like they're becoming redundant

Seriously though, I also have a Tiff, but generally only use it to confirm what my nose is telling me.

Regards

Gerry

I'm with Gerry,

The nose knows but the my Tiff is nice to convince clients that are odor challenged.

Very impressive with all that screaming.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

LOL, I have one but it looks like they're becoming redundant

Seriously though, I also have a Tiff, but generally only use it to confirm what my nose is telling me.

Regards

Gerry

I concur.

I haven't used my TIFF for months. It's collecting dust in my tool bag.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by dvalley

I concur.

I haven't used my TIFF for months. It's collecting dust in my tool bag.

Same here, there is so little natural gas here in my area of Florida that I have mine on loan to a fellow inspector who does see some gas furnaces and stoves.

Regards

Gerry

[William J. Decker]

Agree.

Use the 'ol Mark I nose, but back it up with a TIFF.

I, regularly, turn it on and habd it to the client's kid. Scares the heck out of them when it starts screaming.

But, it impresses them that I have the tool and use it to check for gas.

Don't forget the "dog and pony show" aspects of the inspection. Just to drive home the point that we are professionals and use tools to back up our findings.

I always say, "OK. Argue with the tool."

[Chuck Evans]

I use my nose to locate and my Tiff to pinpoint. My Tiff is also the much more photogenic of the two, when I include a photo of the leak location in the report.

[Thomas G. Valosin]

Interesting commentary in this thread. I would like to make a suggestion. This is aimed at how the public perceives us. Will, I am not "picking" on you but you used the phrase "Argue with the TOOL." Well understood, we are using the equipment to support our observation, and yes, it is a tool of our profession. However, as long as we are PROFESSIONALS, and have no doubt about it, the States that have licensing, as well as those who are engaged in the Practice of Law, DO INDEED consider us PROFESSIONALS, I suggest we use the more "professional sounding" term, "Argue with the TEST EQUIPMENT". A "tool", even if it is the identical piece of equipment, is something used by a trades-person. (PLEASE, don't get me wrong, I am not looking down on the trades, I was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners.) I am just saying that over time, if we all use terminology "a step up", terminology that is indicative of a PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, it will help the public see us as PROFESSIONALS. In the long term this will benefit us. Being accepted as PROFESSIONALS in their eyes will make them more comfortable paying us at a PROFESSIONAL Level.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by tvalosin

Interesting commentary in this thread. I would like to make a suggestion. This is aimed at how the public perceives us. Will, I am not "picking" on you but you used the phrase "Argue with the TOOL." Well understood, we are using the equipment to support our observation, and yes, it is a tool of our profession. However, as long as we are PROFESSIONALS, and have no doubt about it, the States that have licensing, as well as those who are engaged in the Practice of Law, DO INDEED consider us PROFESSIONALS, I suggest we use the more "professional sounding" term, "Argue with the TEST EQUIPMENT". A "tool", even if it is the identical piece of equipment, is something used by a trades-person. (PLEASE, don't get me wrong, I am not looking down on the trades, I was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners.) I am just saying that over time, if we all use terminology "a step up", terminology that is indicative of a PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, it will help the public see us as PROFESSIONALS. In the long term this will benefit us. Being accepted as PROFESSIONALS in their eyes will make them more comfortable paying us at a PROFESSIONAL Level.

All good points and ai stand corrected.

Thanks;

[Jack L. Gilleland]

Yes - Tiff. But my nose usually.

[Bob Elliott]

I am a tool and use test equipment.

Seriously ,if you smell something ,you pull out your Tiff to pinpoint the problem.
I used it to pinpoint some very serious issues three times last year and may have saved lives in the process.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Friday, my electronic gas detector was non-functional (i.e, piece of crap Tif), so I used my nose and confirmed the leak with a spray bottle. 1st time I used a spray bottle. It worked great...lots of bubbles produced. A lot cheaper than a Tif (piece of crap).

[cduphily]

Originally Posted by mlarson

I'm with Gerry,

The nose knows but the my Tiff is nice to convince clients that are odor challenged.

Very impressive with all that screaming.

ditto - nose first, electronic to confirm.