Do You use a Gas Detector?

[Karl VanHeyst]

This week I found another gas leak......When I entered the basement I thought I was smelling sewer gas. The sewer pipes, the plumbing waste lines had several repairs and were in poor condition. When it was time to inspect the gas boiler all the bells & whistles went off on my portable gas detector.

The Viessman gas boiler (1984) was Red Tagged....

The home even had Co2 detectors on the main level.

The vendor and the home purchaser were both grateful that the leak was detected during the inspection. Either one of them could have woke up dead....

I know that there are several home inspectors out in the field everyday that do not use gas detectors during inspections. It is my opinion that they may be missing gas leaks around gas appliances.

Are you using one?

This is the 3rd gas appliance in the past 4 months that I found leaking gas. (Furnace, Gas fireplace and a Boiler).

[Claude Lawrenson]

First what are the pros and cons for using a gas detector?

I do not doubt there is a need and place for them, but it can also create an "atmosphere" of false conclusions.

Does it place an inspector at a higher level of risk, going beyond the SOP? Or perhaps should certain inspection test tools be incorporated into the SOP?

Just some food for thought! - Your thoughts?????

[rramsey1]

I use an electronic sniffer to check accessible connections, flex lines, cut off valves and appliance main valves.

I add these two statements to my reports to let the client know that ALL lines were not tested.

" Gas lines were not tested using a local or industry accepted procedure. I recommend contacting a licensed plumber if testing of gas line is desired."

"Accessible gas piping connections to appliances were tested for leaks at connections and accessible gas piping with an Infeoon Combustible gas leak detector. No leaks were found at time of inspection"

[KEVIN WOOD]

I think you meant to say Carbon Monoxide CO
Carbon Dioxide CO2 monitors are only in Commercial applications for proper level indicators of air supply on the HVAC equipment.
If you are testing for gas and are not certified to do so you can fix yourself really good if caught by AHJ.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Karl - I think its a great idea. ALthough we don't have gas here, it would be something that I would look into if we did.

As with everything we do, cover yourself well and keep doing with what you feel good about. I have a ton of tools that go beyond the SOP. I view the SOP as a minimal standard and others will agree and disagree. Its your business decision. I look at it from a homebuyers point of view. Partially inspecting something well is better than not inspecting it all as long as I know its just a partial inspection.

Congrats on finding the possible HUGE problem keep up the good work. When your clients "were grateful" of the find, to me that says it all...

Do what your comfortable doing, let the client know your limitations and keep having "grateful" clients and you will have a "grateful" checking account.

[KEVIN WOOD]

"Accessible gas piping connections to appliances were tested for leaks at connections and accessible gas piping with an Infeoon Combustible gas leak detector. No leaks were found at time of inspection"

[/quote]
I think you meant Inficon
This is the one I do testing with.

[James H. Bushart]

BPI protocol requires gas leak detection on all accessible supply lines and continous monitoring of CO during the entire audit. I have incorporated these steps into my home inspections, as well. I've linked to the equipment that I use.

As far as reporting on the "absence" of detected combustible gas or CO ... I don't. I will, however, report it when I find it.

[cboyd]

I'm glad this subject came up as I have been looking a this to add to my services. Does anyone use or have a comment on this detector: http://www.allgasdetectors.com/products/g275.shtml
I have no special want for this one in particular just looking for input.
On a liability note, if we checked fitting, lines etc. and noed a leak we obviously should report what we found and advise further investigation.....
If we used the detector, found nothing do we need to even report that? It's beyond what people are expecting so why mention it in the report if nothing is found?

[Bob Elliott]

I use the gas detector only to pinpoint location of leaks to determine the issue.
In the USA we add a very powerful smell that is easy to detect.

With experience you will learn to tell the difference between sewer gas and Natural gas as they smell nothing alike.

Simply pulling it out of the case to randomly check pipes is pointless.

That being said the units make for a nice bells and whistle show if you have time for it.

I do not have time to pull every tool out of my bag at each inspection,nor the need.

[KEVIN WOOD]

TIF 8800 recommended by instructor for gas code in Ontario.
I guess the AHJ is a good enough example.

[Claude Lawrenson]

In Ontario an inspector can run into issues/troubles with TSSA. As stated earlier the AHJ - Authority Having Jurisdiction. As a former ethics chair dealing with complaint issues, several complaints were filed against inspectors for "overstepping" their duties, and stepping on the toes of the work of "licensed" professionals.

Simply my suggestion - report with caution.

One can report "suspect" issues, and make recommendations for further evaluation. But to go beyond that can be an issue - are you licensed for such or in a position as an expert to do so?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by belliott

I use the gas detector only to pinpoint location of leaks to determine the issue.
In the USA we add a very powerful smell that is easy to detect.

With experience you will learn to tell the difference between sewer gas and Natural gas as they smell nothing alike.

Simply pulling it out of the case to randomly check pipes is pointless.

That being said the units make for a nice bells and whistle show if you have time for it.

I do not have time to pull every tool out of my bag at each inspection,nor the need.

Just out of curiosity...in your opinion, what is the difference between methane coming from a sewer line and methane coming from a gas line?

They certainly smell different, since the methane in the gas line has an additive to give it the odor ... while the methane gas from the sewer line is often mixed with deadly hydrogen sulfide which has a different odor.

Somehow, from your post, I am understanding you to suggest that one is dangerous and one is not. Am I misunderstanding you?

[KEVIN WOOD]

Good points James.
Let us see him weasel out this one.

[Michael Larson]

Just out of curiosity...in your opinion, what is the difference between methane coming from a sewer line and methane coming from a gas line?

Ever strike a match to sewer gas?

[Wand Raymond]

Methane is odourless.

I had a Tiff, and I got rid of it. I rely on my nose. Also pipe dope can set off Tiff due to chemical composition of the compound.

Over the years I have found many powervent hotwater tanks with loose exhaust at power vents.