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Author
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Topic: Equipment List - 1486 visits (2 today, 4 this week)
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Lanny Freng
New Member
 Posts: 1
From:Burnsville, MN
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted December 20, 2003 04:50 PM
  
Could anyone please provide a list of the tools they bring on residential inspections. I am just starting out and am in the process of buying everything needed. Most of my inspections will be on one story, 1.5 story, 2 story, and split entry homes. Just do not want to show up on the job to find out I forgot to buy something. Thanks for your help in advance.Lanny A. Freng
MN Valley Home Inspections www.mvhi.biz
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Chuck Lambert
Member
  Posts: 62
From:Garden Grove, CA
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted December 20, 2003 05:41 PM
pen,paper, Panasonic Toughbook touchscreen notebook, digital camera, assorted screwdrivers, infrared thermometer, d-cell maglite, water pressure guage, circuit tester, voltage tester, inspection mirror, extra notebook battery, clear head, knife, watch, cheat sheats for BW water heaters-trane equip and york equipment, protimeter moisture meter, pliers, little giant ladder and a few other things. List incomplete... |
Rick Hurst
Member
  Posts: 119
From:Rowlett, TX
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted December 20, 2003 06:56 PM
More items would also be: coveralls, additional shoes (mud), Advil, all code check books for reference, extra business cards, bottled water, pepper spray for those kids that get in your toolbag...... |
Al Roden
Member
Posts: 49
From:Victoria, Texas
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted December 20, 2003 07:06 PM
Carried during inspection: flashlight in belt holder, circuit tester, flat headed electrical screwdriver, tape measure, infrared thermometer, voltage sniffer and a clip board/pen.In the inspection bag: Extra flashlight, big ass rechargable spot light, extra circuit tester, extra electrial screwdriver set, nut driver set, moisture meter, combustible gas sniffer (not a lighter or matches), barbeque lighter, extra tape measure for loaning to client for measuring drapes, etc., backup thermometer, pressure gauge, cell phone and assorted code check flip charts. And a good respirator (pink cartridges) for climbing attics. Computer Bag: Laptop, printer, two printer cables, extra paper, extra print cartridges, extension cord, stapler, extra pens, lockbox keypad. In or on the van: Long extension ladder, 6 foot step ladder, wet/dry vac, long extension cord, shop towels, operating room booties, rubber gloves, tyvek disposable covealls, extra respirator, water collection bags with lab forms, a measuring wheel, assorted screws and preferably, an extra inspection bag with most other contents...just in case. [This message has been edited by Al Roden (edited December 20, 2003).] |
Gary Cox
Member
Posts: 314
From:Bristow VA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted December 20, 2003 11:21 PM
Tool bag, 12'5" Telesteps Ladder,2 Streamlight 75,000 candlelight flashlights with a million candlelight & 15,000 Streamlight backup charging in the truck.
Magnifying glass, telescoping mirror,measuring tape, small pen size level, Laser Thermometer, gas detector, dewalt screwdriver,various short drivers to take sheilds off of exchangers, Nikon Binoculars, Volt meter, 2 outlet testers by same company and an expensive one of another name to double check myself if the cheap HD testers show open grounds/hot neutrals etc.
Pocket data bank, Nextel phone, 5-mile walkie talkies...great when your doing condos. I give one to the client and post them at the thermostat and go up on the roof or wherever trying to locate the compressor. We then coordinate running the unit to determine which one is theirs.
Swiss army knives (3)
Compass...I tell buyer which way their house faces.
A Swiss Army watch!
Elmer's glue, Elmers carpenter glue, marine boat glue. Spare elec panel screws for those goofballs that put pointed screws in their panel. I choose not to put those back in.
Big wrench for turning water on at the street when I feel like going beyond the call of duty.
Flashlight ring for my belt, file box to keep printed contracts in,client info forms, articles from internet for buyers (MANY)
paper clips to keep reports together, McNally maps of EVERY County around me.
Mag glass up over my visor to read maps (I'm 50)
Business cards.[This message has been edited by Gary Cox (edited December 20, 2003).] |
Joe Nernberg
Member
Posts: 283
From:Agoura Hills, CA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted December 24, 2003 07:46 AM
One million candle power spot light, mag light, thermometer, tick tracer, outlet tester, wiggy, crescent wrench, utility knife, 6-in-1 screwdriver, adjustable mirror, water gauge, tape measure (for the client who wants to measure the refrigerator opening), orange stickers (to label defect electrical outlets), needle nose pliers, swiss army knife, adjustable painters pole (for checking smoke alarms on 12 foot ceilings), coveralls, gloves, dust masks, hat, extra shoes, duct tape, silver tape, adjustable/multi ladder, moisture tester, level, credit card imprinter, tablet PC, list of recent recalls, digital camera, business cards and brochures.------------------
Joe Nernberg |
Scott Patterson
Member
 Posts: 698
From:Ridgeland, MS
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted December 24, 2003 08:17 AM
I have found that I use less equipment than I did the first few years in the business.My basic tools that I keep on me, on a normal inspection are as follows: 1. Ultra Stinger flashlight (Maglite back up in truck)
2. Screwdriver (just updated to a cordless, but still keep the real cordless around)
3. 3-prong night light tester (Suretest on hand in bag if needed)
4. Voltage sniffer
5. Protimeter SM moisture meter
6. Ladder (Don't keep it on me, but I use it)
7. Pocket knife That’s about it! I also have my 17’ Little Giant; knee pads; full face respirator; gloves; multi meter; clamp on meter; CO detector; gas detector; children’s bubbles; a couple more moisture meters; water pressure gauge; 4’ bubble level; binoculars; 2 million CP light for crawls and attics; rain suit; coveralls; extra shoes; couple rolls of paper towels; extra batteries for all devices. Keep in mind that the more tools and devices you use makes you look like an expert in the field you are reporting on, in the eyes of the court. I also use a digital camera.
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Scott Patterson
Central Mississippi
[This message has been edited by Scott Patterson (edited December 24, 2003).] |
Jack Feldmann
Member
Posts: 890
From:Knoxville, TN
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted December 24, 2003 11:57 AM
Lanny,
DON"T take any tool that you don't know how to use, AND explain what you are doing to your client.
If you are going to take a CO tester, then be sure you have had training in it's use. (according to your web site you do CO testing for a fee).
Resist the temptation to have every toy there is, and all the latest gadgets. People will be more impressed with the job you do, than the tools you have.On a side note, I'm somewhat troubled by your question. It seems to me that someone getting in this business (if not already doing it) should have a pretty good idea on what tools they need to do their job. If you went to a HI training school, surely they covered the tools needed. But just going through the SOP and seeing what you are supposed to inspect and report on, you should have a pretty good idea on how to go about it.
Maybe I misunderstood your question, and you just wanted to know all the goodies out there that some of us use (and some don't).
At any rate, good luck with your business.
JF [This message has been edited by Jack Feldmann (edited December 24, 2003).] |
Gary Cox
Member
Posts: 314
From:Bristow VA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted December 25, 2003 08:02 PM
Lanny,Your web home page? Did you spell surprise "suprise" on purpose at the top of the page? |
Ted Rodgers
New Member
Posts: 12
From:Atlanta, GA
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted December 26, 2003 07:02 AM
Scott,"gas detector; children’s bubbles; a couple more moisture meters;" Childrens bubbles for checking drafts or just for fun when you get on the roof??? Ted |
Gary Cox
Member
Posts: 314
From:Bristow VA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted December 26, 2003 07:20 AM
Hey Scott.Great product: Plastic bubbles. It's in all the toy stores and comes in different colors in a clear carry tube. It stays on the pipes vs. dripping off.
Advertised as the bubbles you can catch in your hand. Easily washes off. Check it out. [This message has been edited by Gary Cox (edited January 01, 2004).] |
Scott Patterson
Member
Posts: 698
From:Ridgeland, MS
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted December 26, 2003 07:27 AM
You can't tell me that you have never sat on a roof and blown bubbles. Well, I have thought about doing it.They are great for finding gas leaks. If you have a suspect line, the bubbles are the only way to go. Scott |
Mike Parks
Member
Posts: 192
From:Marysville Ohio
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted December 26, 2003 02:12 PM
""gas detector; children’s bubbles"Do you clean the fittings afterwards? I am serious. I know you are going to ask why. I will look for the reference. Mike P. |
Robert Alexander
Member
Posts: 18
From:Easley, SC
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted December 27, 2003 06:05 PM
Scott, you are funny! Bubbles - they do work, but I prefer the Bacharach Leakator 10 for gas leak detection. |
Richard Stanley
Member
Posts: 214
From:Corpus Christi, TX
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted December 28, 2003 06:47 AM
409 bubbles and cleans. |
Scott Patterson
Member
Posts: 698
From:Ridgeland, MS
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted December 28, 2003 07:36 AM
No, I don't clean the fittings. But the only time I use the bubbles is if I smell gas and then I try to locate it with my Bacharach Leakator, once I find what I think is the area I confirm with the bubbles. I don't clean it becasue it will be repaired. I also mark the area with survey tape so it can be found.------------------
Scott Patterson
Central Mississippi |
Jerry Peck
Member
Posts: 932
From:Pembroke Pines, FL
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted January 01, 2004 07:22 PM
Never, I repeat, NEVER, use any type of gas leak detection liquid (to check for bubbles and a leak) without following that with a very thorough rinse and then dry the joint.This is even MORE IMPORTANT on CSST gas pipe. The residue could cause corrosion of the pipe, the fitting, or the joint. But, you say, the gas company technician doesn't rinse when they check with bubbles? Yeah, and the gas company has deep pockets, do you? ------------------
Jerry Peck
South Florida |
Scott Patterson
Member
Posts: 698
From:Ridgeland, MS
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted January 01, 2004 08:04 PM
I guess the question I would have would be how much damage can a brush full of soapy water do, and how long would it take for the pipe to corrode? I just don’t see this as a big problem. I would think that evaporation would take place before any damage could happen, unless the liquid had corrosive properties. Last time I looked children’s bubbles were non-toxic and did not say a thing about being corrosive. With CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) why is it more susceptible to corrosion, I would think that the stainless steel would not corrode as easy.
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Scott Patterson
Central Mississippi
[This message has been edited by Scott Patterson (edited January 01, 2004).] |
Gary Cox
Member
Posts: 314
From:Bristow VA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted January 01, 2004 08:23 PM
Hi Scott & Jerry,Check out...
www.regoproducts.com/leaktest04.htm Read the CAUTION note half way down the page about testing with soap & water. Possible corrosion and stress cracking. Simply use a non-corrosive soap. Many to be found on google search. [This message has been edited by Gary Cox (edited January 01, 2004).] |
Jerry Peck
Member
Posts: 932
From:Pembroke Pines, FL
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted January 01, 2004 09:25 PM
Gary,That is why I posted my post as strong as I did. You are not reading what it said (if I read your post correctly). You said "Read the CAUTION note half way down the page about testing with soap & water" The caution says (underlining and bold highlighting is mine) "CAUTION: Since some leak test solutions, including soap and water" My TracPipe by Omega Flex "Flexible Gas Piping Design Guide and Installation Instructions" book states "NOTE: Leak test solutions may cause corrosion to some types of material in the gas tubing system, be sure to water rinse after the test and thoroughly dry all contacted material. Also, the vent limiter should not be leak tested with a liquid test solution. This will contaminate the internal ball check mechanism or plug the breathing hole, resulting in erratic regulator operation." Now, unless the HI is (and some HIs may be) qualified to ascertain that the solution WILL NOT CAUSE CORROSION, and the material being leaked checked WILL NOT CORRODE WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE LEAK TEST SOLUTION, then the HI should not be using a leak check solution (all caps for added emphasis). Pretty much what I said before, right? ------------------
Jerry Peck
South Florida |
Gary Cox
Member
Posts: 314
From:Bristow VA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted January 02, 2004 08:05 AM
Hi Jerry,Your reply confuses me. I'm in total agreement with you. I researched it on google to prove you correct. Perhaps I need to revisit "Communication 101." |
Jerry Peck
Member
Posts: 932
From:Pembroke Pines, FL
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted January 02, 2004 06:22 PM
Gary,Oops. I thought, by making it seem to just relate to soap solutions, that you were disagreeing with what it said. My error. I must have skipped Communication 101, was that the early morning class?  ------------------
Jerry Peck
South Florida | |
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