Thread: GAS SNIFFER

In the normal course of your inspection do you use a gas sniffer I.E. Tiff 8800? I understand this exceeds the SOP (thank you Jerry Peck)

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Tif 8800 always in my bag, comes out when I get suspicious. Your recent posts indicate you are looking at what others do. In order to gauge what you are or should be doing? Nothing wrong with that, just curious.

Markus;
Thanks for your reply. I have been doing home Inspections for many years. I am interested in what HI do even though the state or Association SOP differs from the day to day reality of what happens in the field.

Jory,

When I was doing inspections, I used the SoP as the mat I would wipe my shoes on. The only time I would stoop that low would be to remove my shoes or put them back on.

Hi Jerry;
Please explain your last post.
Thanks

Jory Lannes

I actually quit using my Tiff8800 due to getting false readings. Now, I just use the old nose, which seems to work just as well. If I do suspect a leak, I use a product called Leak-Seek that will bubble up when sprayed on the connection I suspect may be leaking.

Picked up this product at a plumbing supply house in the area. Very inexpensive for use and requires no batteries.

rick

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

I actually quit using my Tiff8800 due to getting false readings. Now, I just use the old nose, which seems to work just as well. If I do suspect a leak, I use a product called Leak-Seek that will bubble up when sprayed on the connection I suspect may be leaking.

Picked up this product at a plumbing supply house in the area. Very inexpensive for use and requires no batteries.

rick

Thick soapy water

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Jory,

When I was doing inspections, I used the SoP as the mat I would wipe my shoes on. The only time I would stoop that low would be to remove my shoes or put them back on.

Originally Posted by JORY LANNES

Hi Jerry;
Please explain your last post.
Thanks

Jory Lannes

Jory,

You know how many builders 'try' to meet code, and if they don't and don't get caught, it is 'okay'?

SoPs are like codes, HIs are required to meet SoPs, but instead of 'trying to meet' the SoP, simply put your work such that the SoP is so low compared to *your* standard that the SoP has little meaning. It's what you wipe your shoes on and where you leave them, and the only time you stoop that low (down to the SoPs) is when you put your shoes back on.

There really should be *no reason* for any HI to be concerned 'if they meet the SoP' when all HIs should have standards which far exceed the SoP.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Thick soapy water

Ted,

Make sure you rinse that off thoroughly after using it. Soap is corrosive and (especially with CSST) can cause problems after you leave.

i use my tiff 8800a all the time, the first thing i do on an inspection is test for gas leaks at the gas meter

during 2007 i found about 20 gas meters leaking, this was such a problem with excel energy, that they had a crew of 24 technicians to handle this problem. you see xcel hired contractors to install all new gas meters and for all reinstalls

also with the new CSST gas lines being used, the builders don't follow the installation instructions and they leak like crazy

my tif is always with me

charlie

Leaking gas meter, oh yeah, I find those too, especially when the meter is on the floor and the meter bar is jumped with rubber hose and hose clamps.
My guess is that many of us have far more gadgets than we either need at all or need to meet/exceed SoP. Myself included.
This can be attributed to various factors such as: boys like toys; money to burn (texas & florida inspectors), that one assessment job where we needed that one particular gadget, etc.
I have my standard insp bag that I bring in. Then I have another bag+ of gadgets, etc I leave in the truck just in case the need arises.
As mentioned I don't pull out the Tif, CO tester or others unless I get suspicious. As someone mentioned Gas is pretty easy to smell usually. Do I really need the Tif/bubble liquid? "I clearly smell gas, call the utility". Beyond that aren't we really just providing additional good service to the client? I mostly use (the) device to isolate the source so Mr. Contractor can't come in and make a mountain out of a mole hill.
I think using such devices as standard practice all the time or using them as a pitch (I do blah blah extra) can lead to problems.
- unrealistic client expectations
- additional liability
- crossing the line between generalist and specialist
If something makes you suspicious and you pull out the device aren't you just following a lead and investigating? To be thorough, to protect your client to protect yourself. On the other hand, if you use the device all the time and tell clients so, aren't you now pretending to be a specialist, instead of an HI generalist?
Am I mincing theories here or what?

"Soap is corrosive and (especially with CSST)"

Would that be Granny's Lye soap?
Or the dish washing liquid, you know, the kind you soak your hands in?
(old TV commercial)

I had a Tiff when I first started out. Finally threw it out. I now use my nose and found it to be very reliable for natural gas.

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

I had a Tiff when I first started out. Finally threw it out. I now use my nose and found it to be very reliable for natural gas.

Unless you have a cold

This is something that I have been wondering for quite some time as well...how many of you have used or currently use TIF or similar units for testing and have found them to be inaccurate or give false readings? Also have any of you used a unit outside of TIF that has been much better in delivering less false readings? Any recommendations on brands, models etc?