Does Your Home Inspector Use a Combustible Gas Detector?
Frank J. Delle Donne & Brian S. Delle Donne
Originally Posted June 14, 2024
Updated August 11, 2024
Updated again October 1, 2025
The New Jersey Home Inspection Statutes and Regulations states that, “All home inspectors and associate home inspectors shall, during the performance of a home inspection, be equipped with the following minimum tools and equipment…11. Combustible gas leak detection equipment…” We, of course, have always had them in our tool bags. Having them, however, is not good enough. We always use them for homes with natural gas (Or propane) as a fuel type.
Home Inspector About Tools: What Should Be A Requirement?
When in the process of hiring a home inspector, ask them, “Do you ALWAYS use your combustible gas detector?” Brian and I do and you’d be surprised how often we find gas leaks. In at least 2 brand new houses, gas leaks have been found. More than once there have been hints of gas even before the meter was taken out. A few times outside. If one can smell gas outside it’s a substantial leak. Once, Frank was going through a crawl space and as I crawled under some pipes the gas odor was detected. The meter then confirmed the leak. But most of the times the gas detector finds the leak.
The first 4 links were previously posted. The next few were posted in June 2024. The last 4 were found in the past few months (May – September 2025). If I went through my archives there would be dozens of more leaks identified. The video links are often included in the report. If I was to guess I’d say that maybe 1 in 10 or so homes inspected have a gas leak somewhere.
Here are a few more videos since the this was originally posted.