I got a TPI 725a combustible gas leak detector from Inspector Outlet and wondering if it is enough for basic inspection duties. I know that using one of these isn’t required by the SOP but it seems like they are commonly used.
Will this relatively inexpensive one have the sensitivity needed to identify common leak issues?
Tell us… why do you think this $59 unit would be comparable to a $250-$400-$800+ professional unit?
Kind of an obnoxious and unnecessary response…
I’m asking if it would be sufficient and your trying to get me to defend it or something.
I bought it because it was listed on inspector outlet and I made an assumption that they were for professional use.
He made an ‘assumption.’ Go figure!
Ah, so I’m starting to discover the people on this board who were all born with all the experience and knowledge of home inspection they would ever need. Man, must be nice to have that kind of luck!
And I’m asking if you did your damned research BEFORE you spent your money and LOOKED UP THE SPECS like I did that took about 5 seconds on Google?? If you had, you would have found the answer to your query!
“He” who??
Never mind…
Well, if your lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough!
You know better than to ‘assume’ anything! The adage is: you get what you pay for!
People are funny on the internet…
Imagine if you asked someone a question and they responded with “You should know the answer!”
By asking a question, I’m admitting I don’t know the answer. Don’t you have anything better to do than make a snarky comment? Must be a boring life…
You do realize that a huge portion of being a Professional Home Inspector entails the ability to perform extensive research on a daily basis… such as I just did to see the specs of your wannabe ‘tool’. Has nothing to do with “luck”, but the ability to ‘think’ and ‘reason’!
Good luck in your future “career”!
Jesse, If you’re planning to put it into professional use, you better be able to defend it. Because one day you well may have to do exactly that. You’re getting some flack (as you should be) because you asked a question you should already know the answer to. By admitting you don’t, your just saying you were to lazy to do the research before you asked. Had you thought for a minute (or done as Mr. Jonas pointed out 5 seconds of google-fu), you’d have asked a different question.
To your OP - The short answer is no, it’s not up to the task. It’s a budget tool, not a professional level tool. Your nose is a better gas sniffer and saves you $60.
Professional grade tools and meters are expensive. If you’re just getting started and trying to save some cash, this is an item I would wait on. The other option is to find a used one. When I got started, I bought an older TIF8800 on e-bay. I think I spent $80. You can find them on there as low as $25. It’s a decent sniffer that will source the leaks.
Good post Brent.
To add my opinion of this unit in question, personally, I would ONLY use it as a PERSONAL use detector to alert you while accessing a basement or other confined space that may have a buildup of gasses to give you a heads up of a potentially dangerous condition. In this situation, I am looking for personal safety, not pinpointing a leak!!
Jesse, the others have given you great advice. It is very easy to do research today, and as professionals, we should use the internet as a starting point.
Try to research and purchase the best tools/instruments you can. As JJ said.The inexpensive ones may be good for personal use or even as a backup but save for the better/best tools to use as a professional.
Good Luck!
Make a small gas leak in your home and test it out! Let us know how it performs. I would use my cheapie when the gas company would pressure test a line to discover where the leak was. Most times it was at the union.
Good work.
Don’t let negative views cloud your thoughts. Its fine.
Report any findings and list the tool you used.
When/if you find you test a lot for NG/LP gas leaks, purchase a better model when your company/business finances allow.
Promote this on your web site.
Best of luck with ALL your endeavors.
Thank you so much for your kind and helpful response! It’s refreshing.
A couple of the people above had told me to Google everything as their way of “helping”.
I of course looked at the description of the product before ordering, and as you showed, the description lead me to belief it would be a useful basic tool for home inspection purposes.
I think that is great advice to invest in a higher end unit if I do more gas leak tracing in the future.
I know that it is common to exceed the SOP, and I plan to, but it seems like there is also a balance between exceeding it and going to a whole other level like a specialist would do…
We all start somewhere, Jess. Finances and business direction dictate the equipment we purchase. The idea is to get your feet on the ground running and provide beneficial services to clients others omit. Inspecting is not a gimmick. The more you learn the better armed you are to report.
Regard the reams of Thermal Infrared Imaging equipment sold today.
No matter the recognised equipment, it enables a better level once you are trained.
I started with ground/basic level equipment. Now I use professional equipment.
*Inspectors know the value of their service and charge according.
*Charge more, not less. This is not a race to the bottom.
*Market, Market, Marketing!
Good luck.
Call me anytime for some ideas.
Regards.
Robert Young
I try not to chime in when people are rude and snarky (several of the know it all in here), but the fact you are wondering if a tool will be good enough(not necessarily the best) is fair to ask. As for doing research for tools, all manufacturers claim they have the best and will do everything you ever want it to do for sales purposes, but, as with our business the best research is referrals from people that have actually used a product and will swear by it. I for one would always prefer word of mouth over a load mouth any day. Keep asking and ignore the jerks. (and cost does not mean better always)
Bingo. Just buy the equipment that you can afford and use it.
Thank you for your help Alan.